Pakistan stun England by 14 runs

Pakistan beat World Cup favourites England by 14 runs despite centuries for Joe Root and Jos Buttler at Trent Bridge on Monday.

Having scored 348 for eight in their 50 overs thanks to 84 from Mohammad Hafeez and Babar Azam's 63, Pakistan held off the England charge with a late flurry of wickets to leave them 334-9.

Root scored 107 and Buttler made 103, but that was not enough to stop hosts England suffering a first defeat in their second match of the tournament as Pakistan bounced back from a thrashing against the West Indies.

England were set a huge total to chase by Pakistan at Trent Bridge, Nottingham today after the English captain Eoin Morgan sent Pakistan in to bat first.

The two opener Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul Haq gave Pakistan a solid start with an 82-run opening stand. Fakhar fell after scoring 44 and Imam on 36 but in-form Babar Azam ensured that momentum was not lost as he featured in a 66-ball 63-run knock. Babar featured in an 88-run partnership with Mohammad Hafiz who was in blinding touch. The all-rounder struck 84 off just 62 deliveries to help Pakistan's cause -- an innings that featured eight fours and two sixes. Captain Sarfraz also struck fifty as Pakistan put up the highest score in this World Cup for England to chase. 

Pakistan start strongly

End of over 10, Pakistan 69/0

Imam-ul-Haq 30 (34b)

Fakhar Zaman 31 (26b)

Mark Wood 1-0-2-0

Moeen Ali 1-0-5-0

England choose to bowl first in their second match in the World Cup against Pakistan at Notthingham.

England captain Eoin Morgan opted to bowl first after winning the toss as he prepared to unleash fast bowler Mark Wood against Pakistan in a World Cup match at Trent Bridge on Monday.

Wood was the only change to the England side that thrashed South Africa by 104 runs in the tournament opener at the Oval, with the Durham quick recalled in place of fellow paceman Liam Plunkett.

Pakistan collapsed to 105 all out against the West Indies on the way to a seven-wicket defeat at Trent Bridge in their tournament opener, with several batsmen struggling against aggressive short-pitched bowling.

By recalling Wood, who like the in-form Jofra Archer is capable of bowling at speeds of 90 mph (145 kph) plus, England had clearly decided to test their opponents with the shorter ball.

England have twice posted a world record one-day international score at Trent Bridge -- 444 for three against Pakistan in 2016 and 481 for six, the current highest, against Australia last year.

"It looks a very good wicket -- the dimensions of the ground are smaller than the Oval, so you have to take that into account when posting or chasing a score," said Morgan at the toss.

"We've brought Mark Wood in today for the extra pace. He bowled well and accurately, and with pace, against Pakistan on this ground in the recent one-day series."

Pakistan, who are on an 11-match losing streak in completed ODIs that includes a a recent 4-0 series loss to England with one washout, recalled batsmen Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik, in place of Haris Sohail and Imad Wasim.

It is Asif's first match since the death of his 19-month-old daughter Dua Fatima, who had been receiving cancer treatment in the United States.

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said: "I wanted to bowl first. It looks like a good batting pitch so hopefully we can get a good score and defend the target.

"I think the West Indies game was a one-off problem," the wicket-keeper said. "We have played five ODIs against England so we know them very well." (AFP)

Fans pose for a photograph Photo: Reuters

Playing XIs:

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (capt&wk), Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir

England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(capt), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

More to follow..