Azhar stars as Pakistan held to 247-8 by England

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali led from the front with 80 but his side were still held to 247 for eight by England in the fourth one-day international here today.

When Azhar was out, Pakistan -- already 3-0 down in the five-match series -- were 169 for six off 38 overs and in danger of failing to bat out their full 50 in this day/night fixture.

But the fit-again Imad Wasim's unbeaten 57 and his eighth-wicket stand of 56 with Hasan Ali took Pakistan past 200.

England slow bowlers Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali shared five wickets between them, with leg-spinner Rashid -- one of five Yorkshire players in the side -- taking three for 47 on his home ground.
 

Both teams made changes from Tuesday's match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, where England piled up 444 for three -- the highest total in any one-day international -- as they won by 169 runs.

England left out pace bowlers Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, with their places taken by left-arm quick David Willey and all-rounder Chris Jordan.

Jonny Bairstow came in after wicket-keeper Jos Buttler was withdrawn in the warm-up because of a hamstring injury.

Pakistan rested pacemen Mohammad Amir -- whose 58 on Tuesday was the highest ODI score by a No 11 batsman -- and Wahab Riaz as well as all-rounder Shoaib Malik and leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

In came giant paceman Mohammad Irfan, experienced seamer Umar Gul, batsman Mohammad Rizwan and Wasim.

Sharjeel Khan, who made a dashing 58 at Nottingham again looked in good touch as he pulled Jordan for four and flicked him over deep square for six.

But the left-handed opener fell for 16 when he sliced Jordan over the offside infield and Ben Stokes, running back, held a good catch.

Willey and Jordan bowled three maidens in the first six overs. Pakistan went 16 balls without a run before Azhar got off the mark by cover-driving Willey for four.

He also hoisted Plunkett and Rashid for two well-struck sixes. But wickets fell around him steadily, with a diving Plunkett holding an excellent catch at mid-on to dismiss potential dangerman Sarfraz Ahmed (12) following a hard-hit drive off Rashid.

Azhar's 104-ball innings featuring two sixes and five fours, ended when he lofted Rashid to Willey on the long-off boundary.

But left-hander Wasim, who made an unbeaten 63 in the second ODI at Lord's before a knee injury ruled him out at Trent Bridge, struck seven fours and drove Willey for a superb straight six.

Gul, off the penultimate ball of the innings, also hit Willey for six but Pakistan now needed a special display in the field to prevent another England win.