Pakistan v England: Alex Hales’ maiden ODI century helps tourists level series with thumping win

A maiden 50-over century from Alex Hales helped England to a comfortable 95-run victory over Pakistan in the second ODI in Abu Dhabi to level the series in style.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, England put on 100+ partnerships for both the first and second wickets with Hales finishing on 109 and given good support with fifties from Jason Roy and Joe Root.

England then reduced Pakistan to 50/5 to end the match as a contest, Chris Woakes going on to take four wickets and David Willey three in a one-sided encounter.

On the same pitch that they lost on by six wickets, they once again decided to bat first on a pitch captain Eoin Morgan correctly predicted would deteriorate as the match went on.

It was disappointing for the first large crowd of the series that Pakistan performed so poorly throughout, but England will not be complaining as they completed their first win of the tour.

They were never really troubled with both Roy and Hales starting well. 

After the Surrey man’s dismissal Joe Root made sure the visitors didn’t lose momentum.

Indeed the only minor disappointment was that at 227/2 after 40 overs, they did not go on to make 300.

The reason they failed to was because of a fantastic spell of bowling from Wahab Riaz, who ended up with 3/43, and also because the pace was sucked out of the pitch making big shots difficult.

Pakistan set 284 to win and started slowly and lost wickets early. 

After ten overs they were 19/2 with David Willey taking both scalps and things never really got any better.

Chris Woakes was brought into the attack. 

Without a wicket in six matches, he was delighted to take the next three batsmen to fall, as Pakistan folded meekly to be bowled out for 188. 

Only Sarfraz Ahmed showed any real fight with an attacking fifty.

Many in the crowd began winding their way out of the ground long before the match dawdled to its conclusion.