12 Feb 2015

Pakistan beat England in final warmup

11:11 am on 12 February 2015

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq scored 91 not out to lead Pakistan to a thrilling four-wicket victory over England in their final World Cup warmup at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq batting.

Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq batting. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The 40-year-old notched up five fours and two sixes in his 99-ball knock, turning the match in a fourth-wicket partnership of 133 with Umar Akmal.

Akmal fell for 65 to leave Sohaib Maqsood (20) and then Shahid Afridi to help their captain guide the 1992 world champions past England's total of 250 for eight with seven balls to spare.

Pakistan now head to Adelaide in Australia to face reigning champions India in their tournament opener on Sunday with renewed confidence.

England's bowling spearheads James Anderson and Stuart Broad took a couple of wickets apiece to keep the contest alive until the last few overs, but the English were punished for anything loose.

Batting first, England's Gary Ballance came in at number three with a point to prove in his first game since September after recovering from a fractured finger, and he steadied the ship with a well-crafted 57.

But he departed with an ill-executed slog sweep, while out-of-sorts skipper Eoin Morgan then fell for a duck attempting a lap sweep to a full toss.

Joe Root hit an impressive 85 off 89 balls and combined with Chris Jordan (31 not out) to steer his side towards a competitive tally.

England rested Ian Bell, Chris Woakes, James Taylor and Steve Finn but all should return when they open their World Cup campaign against co-hosts Australia on Saturday.

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