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Pakistan v England: Batting not good enough from tourists, says Bumble

Bowling was a bit 'county cricket', adds Lloyd

David Lloyd

Cricket Expert & Columnist @BumbleCricket

Wednesday 11 November 2015 21:28, UK

England captain Eoin Morgan leaves the field after being dismissed by Shoaib Malik of Pakistan during the 1st ODI at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi
Image: Eoin Morgan made 76 against Pakistan in the first ODI

Pakistan "gave England a lesson" while winning the first of four ODIs at a canter in Abu Dhabi, says David Lloyd.

Azhar Ali's men chased down England's 216-9 with 38 balls to spare in Abu Dhabi, Mohammad Hafeez (102 not out) firing with the bat after Mohammad Irfan (3-35) had starred for the hosts with the ball.

The tourists collapsed to 14-3 within the first four overs of their knock and from 147-3 once captain Eoin Morgan (76) and James Taylor (60) had been dismissed - and Lloyd says a meek batting effort was the reason England lost by six wickets.

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England captain Eoin Morgan had no excuses after Pakistan won the first ODI by six-wickets in Abu Dhabi.

"Pakistan gave England a lesson," Bumble told Sky Sports. "Their batsmen looked far better and played much straighter and with more time, so the spotlight is on our batting.

"With the attack England had out - Joe Root as the sixth bowler - they needed 300 on this 300 pitch, so somebody had to go and get a big hundred.

"Adil Rashid has had a tough time, going for 0-60 from nine overs, but 216 is no use to him - he needs to be defending 300 to come into his own and be potent."

Reece Topley of England celebrates dismissing Azhar Ali of Pakistan during the 1st One Day International in Abu Dhabi
Image: Reece Topley took 3-26 in his second ODI for England

Reece Topley (3-26) was the pick of England's attack, Hampshire's new signing sending Azhar, Bilal Asif and Younus Khan - the latter in his final ODI - for single-figure scores.

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But Bumble fears the bowling unit is not zippy enough and a bit too 'county cricket' to regularly challenge the world's best players.

"Topley did really well, swinging the ball when he got his radar, but there are no bowlers with the pace to put people on their backside," added Lloyd.

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"It was county cricket, I'm sorry to say, with opening bowlers at 76-78mph, whereas Pakistan had Wahab Riaz bowling bouncers and yorkers at 90mph.

"So it was a bit flimsy with the ball but the batting was nowhere near good enough for a line up as long as this."

Catch the second ODI between Pakistan and England, from 10.30am, Friday, Sky Sports 2. You can also watch on NOW TV.