PLAYER RATINGS: Babar Azam and James Vince thrive in batting masterclass

NICK HOWSON assesses the performances of both sets of players in the third one-day international between England and Pakistan at Edgbaston

Scorecard

ENGLAND

Phil Salt (37): Another entertaining innings from the Sussex opener, who only knows one way regardless of the level. has certainly caught the eye. 6

Dawid Malan (0): A second straight duck for the Yorkshire batter, who returned to this squad having originally pulled out for personal reasons - which should not be forgotten. Might now get a break. 1

Zak Crawley (39): Certainly has a future against the white ball and this format seems to suit his technique and approach perfectly. Essentially has to usurp Joe Root in the team, which is quite an ask. 6

James Vince (102): The nearly man finally deliveries. A maiden England century in his 50th international innings compiled perhaps not in vintage fashion but it was mighty effective as Pakistan toiled. 9

Ben Stokes (32 & 0-31): Another odd day for the captain, who had three lives before eventually being dismissed. Overlooked a review in the first over which would have seen Imam-ul-Haq given out. 4

John Simpson (3): A great experience for the Middlesex man and if this is indeed the last time we see him in an England shirt he'll take great satisfaction from this series. 2

Lewis Gregory (77 & 0-42): Not his best day with the ball but more than made up with it with the bat, putting on a key partnership of 129 with Vince and going to his highest international score. 8

Craig Overton (18* & 0-64): Didn't shine particularly with the ball but more than made up with it with some key runs at the back-end to wrap up the chase. 6

Brydon Carse (12* & 5-61): Will probably feel quite fortunate to have picked up five wickets given most of them came as Pakistan faltered trying to put on extra runs. But in your third international game, you don't argue. And there were some more vital runs down the order. 7

Saqib Mahmood (DNB & 3-60): Another to benefit from some lazy Pakistan stroke-play at the back end, but once again excelled in this environment. Must be retained for the T20s. 7

Matt Parkinson (DNB & 1-70): A bit expensive but produced the ball of the series to get rid of Imam. 6

^{Mohammad Rizwan looked somewhere approaching his best at Edgbaston}

PAKISTAN

Imam-ul-Haq (56): Got some luck in the first over but converted his second life into a much-needed half-century. Got bowled by a zinger from Parkinson. Put down Vince too. 7

Fakhar Zaman (6): The short ball did for the Pakistan opener as he was dismissed by a good catch from Zak Crawley. 2

Babar Azam (158): Returned to his best with an imperious, perfectly paced innings which typified a much-improved batting display from the tourists. 9

Mohammad Rizwan (74): Another batter who returned to somewhere near his best and put on 179 with his captain and Pakistan turned a slow start into a decent total. 7

Sohaib Maqsood (8): Among those who came and went quickly as the visitors attempted to push on and merely found Vince in the deep. Not had a great series. 2

Hasan Ali (4 & 1-69): Got some early movement but when that ebbed away he struggled to make an impact. Failed to trouble on a good pitch. 5

Faheem Ashraf (10 & 0-34): England were untroubled by Faheem who finishes without a single wicket in this series. 4

Shadab Khan (0 & 2-61): Was let down by his fielders but did finally get Stokes. Took matters into his own hands to dismiss Gregory. A fine player but needs to be used better. 5

Saud Shakeel (3 & 0-20): A very subdued match, facing just three balls and bowling 20. Didn't influence the outcome at all. 4

Shaheen Shah Afridi (0 & 0-78): Couldn't find any swing with the white ball and once again lacked real threat with his left-arm seam coming around the wicket. 2

Haris Rauf (0* & ): A much better display than from Lord's when he was ill-disciplined. Returned his best international figures. 7

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