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Cricket World Cup: Centuries from England duo not enough as Pakistan claim big win

Centuries from both Joe Root and Jos Buttler were not enough as England were beaten by Pakistan after falling short in what would have been a World Cup record run chase.

Attempting to beat the record set by Ireland when they successfully chased down 327 to beat England in 2011, the hosts faced a daunting task after an impressive Pakistan innings at Trent Bridge.

After the thumping they took at the hands of the West Indies attack in their opening game, Pakistan looked a completely different team with the bat against England.

Openers Imam ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman set the tone with 44 and 36 respectively as Pakistan quickly moved to put Friday’s debacle behind them.

Mohammad Hafeez then made 84 from 62 balls - including 8 fours and two sixes - while there were also half centuries for Babar Azam who picked up 63 runs, and captain Sarfaraz Ahmed who finished on 55.

The scale of England’s task was rubber-stamped in the final over as Shadab Khan smashed two boundaries to reach 10 off just 5 balls to wrap up the Pakistan innings on 348-8.

 Joe Root of England celebrates after scoring a century with Jos Buttler. (Photo by Gareth Copley-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)
Joe Root of England celebrates after scoring a century with Jos Buttler. (Photo by Gareth Copley-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)

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England suffered an early setback as Jason Roy was dismissed lbw at the start of the third over.

Bairstow and Morgan also soon went as England found themselves 86-3 after 15 overs.

Ben Stokes then went for just 13, but Joe Root and Jos Buttler dug in for the hosts putting on a 130-run partnership before Root fell to the wicket of Shadab Khan on 107.

Buttler was soon able to raise his own bat for the cheering Nottingham crowd after reaching three figures himself.

However, the home fans stunned into silence as the vice-captain was out on the very next ball.

England’s tail were unable to capitalise as they finished on 334-9 - 15 runs shy of the total required for victory.

Both sides are now on one win and one defeat after two games in the competition.