England made early breakthroughs with the ball after winning the toss and electing to field against Pakistan in the KFC Presents Bank Alfalah ODI Tri-Series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Pakistan reached 31 for 2 at the close of the opening six overs, facing an early setback in their first innings under the watchful eyes of on-field umpires Faisal Afridi and Sharfuddoula Saikat.
The match started on the back foot for the batting side on the very first delivery. Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for zero runs off one ball, caught by Root off the bowling of Atkinson at 0.1 overs to leave Pakistan at 0 for 1. Saim Ayub looked to provide quick impetus with 8 runs from 6 balls, including one four, before being caught by Curran off Baker at 5.5 overs with the score at 31 for 2.
Babar held the innings together amidst the early fall of wickets, moving to 22 not out from 28 deliveries with four boundaries at a strike rate of 78.57. Wicketkeeper Baig joined him in the middle, remaining not out on zero runs after facing one ball. England's bowling attack maintained pressure, with Atkinson claiming 1 wicket for 11 runs in three overs at an economy of 3.66, while Baker recorded figures of 1 wicket for 20 runs across his three overs at an economy of 6.66, conceding just one extra via a wide.
With 44.0 overs remaining in their innings, Pakistan will look to rebuild with Nawaz, Agha, Arafat, Faheem, Shaheen, Naseem, and Rauf yet to bat. The match proceedings in Rawalpindi continue under match referee Jeff Crowe, TV umpire Wayne Knights, and reserve umpire Asif Yaqoob, as England seek to capitalize on their early breakthroughs.