World Cup 2019: Pakistan beat England by 14 runs 

It did not go down to the last ball- but it was still the most well-contested match in a World Cup that has seen mostly one-sided affairs so far. In the end, it was Pakistan who held on their nerves as they broke their 11-match losing streak in ODI cricket to defeat England by 14 runs. 

Pakistan, who were bundled out for 105 against West Indies in their first match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, came back to silence their critics and registered their highest score in any World Cup with of 348 for 8 at Trent Bridge on Monday. England, however, remained in the hunt and on course in the chase till the final few overs before Pakistan bowlers, specially Mohammed Amir and Wahab Riaz, took the game away from them. 

World Cup 2019, ENG vs PAK in pictures: As it happened at Trent Bridge

Chasing the mammoth total of 349, England got off to the worst possible start as they lost opener Jason Roy for just to Shadab Khan. Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root then put a brief 48-run partnership before Riaz dismissed Bairstow (32). 

Skipper Eoin Morgan (9) also failed to leave a mark as he got clean bowled by Mohammad Hafeez, leaving England at 86/3. Ben Stokes returned back after adding just 13 as Shoaib Malik struck for Pakistan. 

Root-Buttler keep England in the game

Jos Buttler joined Root and the duo combined for a 130-run partnership. En route, Root completed his century off 97 balls- the first player to score a ton in the ongoing World Cup. However, Shadab ended the wonderful innings soon he fell for 107.

Buttler, too, brought up his century in 75 balls. However, Mohammad Amir sent him back on the very next ball to tilt the match in Pakistan's favour. 

The England tail-enders failed to find the touch and a flurry of wickets was the final nail in the coffin. 

Pakistan post their best World Cup total

Earlier, fifties from Mohammad Hafeez (84), Babar Azam (63), and Sarfaraz Ahmed (55) had powered Pakistan to post 348/8 after being put to bat first. Moeen was the pick of English bowlers, having returned with figures of 3-50. 

Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman got off to a brilliant start, combining 82 for the opening wicket. Ali got the breakthrough as he got Fakhar stumped for 36. Chris Woakes then took a brilliant running catch to sent Imam (44) back leaving Pakistan at 111/2 in 20.1 overs.

Babar and Hafeez carried the momentum set by the openers and stitched a well-compiled 88-run stand. Moeen struck again, getting Babar (63) to play in the air and Woakes ran in from long-on and caught him diving forward. Pakistan crossed the 250-run mark courtesy 80-run partnership between Hafeez and captain Sarfaraz. However, Mark Wood got rid of top-scorer Hafeez (84) and Asif Ali (14). The Pakistan tail added 51 runs in the final five overs. 

Woakes sets record 

Woakes' four catches helped him in equalling the record for the most catches taken by an outfielder in a World Cup match. India's Mohammad Kaif, Bangladesh's Soumya Sarkar and Pakistan's Umar Akmal are the three others who have achieved this feat. Woakes also became the first fielder to take four catches in an ODI for England.

Pakistan will next take on Sri Lanka on June 7 at Bristol County Ground, while England will meet Bangladesh on June 8 at Cardiff Wales Stadium.

(With ANI Inputs)