Match Abandoned | Pakistan vs England, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st ODI Match - Commentary

So, the first ODI comes to an end then. Not the way we would have wanted the first of many, many ODIs in England this summer to end but nevertheless, we will return with better expectations for the next match! The second game of the series will be played at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on the 11th of May, Saturday! See you for the same. Till then, it is goodbye from us! Cheers.

In the minimal action we saw today, Eoin Morgan won the toss and put Pakistan into bat in a game that had its start delayed by more than an hour. The game began and all was going well, at least in terms of having an uninterrupted game for the first hour and more. Pakistan did not have the best of starts and lost Fakhar Zaman early in their innings. Babar Azam, who walked out at number 3, looked good for a bit but fell just when a partnership was building. Haris Sohail was batting along with Imam-ul-Haq in the middle when the rain started pouring. After the first break, the 47-over contest was further reduced to a 41-over contest. Post the second resumption, just 14 balls were bowled when the heavens opened. And that was the last bit of action that was meant to take place!

Bad, bad news! We will not be having anymore cricketing action in this game as the game has been CALLED OFF. The umpires did not feel that the wet, soggy patches in the outfield could be dried in time i.e. by 1945 local which was the cut-off time. Hence, they have decided that's that! The two teams shake hands in the dressing room balcony and bring an end to a really dull, glum start to the series building up to the World Cup.

Update 1906 local - Oh no! We were meant to resume action at 1900 local but there is an issue with one particular area on the outfield. The umpires are out there and having a discussion on what must be done. We have about just under 40 minutes for the game to resume or else it will be all over for this match.

Update 1855 local - The umpires have done their inspection and what we are hearing is that the resumption should be according to what was planned i.e at 1900 local, in about 5 minutes from now. And hopefully the rain does not show up this time post the resumption. It is sunny as of now.

Update 1815 local - The umpires get out to inspect the conditions and have decided to have another look in 25 minutes. If everything is fine, we will have resumption at 1900 local. Let's keep our fingers crossed...

Update 1720 local - It has stopped raining out there and the sun is slightly peeping out. The heavy rain though means some work needs to be done to dry out the field to get it ready for play. Don't be too fooled by the sun coming out though, it has played hide and seek all day. Let's hope the rain has gone away once and for all. Meanwhile, the news is that there will be an inspection at 1800 local!

Update 1643 local - The rain is a steady one now and the full square covers are on. In for another significant delay most likely. Stay tuned and let's stay hopeful..

Update 1625 local - Umbrellas are up again. The sun has disappeared. The players are leaving the field. It has not started to rain yet, just a very slight drizzle but we are off, maybe in anticipation. Hover cover is placed near the pitch. Thus, another stoppage but by the looks of it, this one should not be too long. Hope play resumes real soon, stay tuned for updates...

Adil Rashid to Haris Sohail. Stumping chance missed! Sohail survives. Rashid comes up with a top spinner around middle and off, Sohail premeditates his charge down the track as he attempts for a big shot across the line. The ball skids past his blade and Buttler doesn't collect it properly mainly due to the extra bounce. The ball gets stuck to the left of Jos as he initially looks to take the bails off with his right hand. He then realizes and just quietly jogs across to the other end as Haris plants his bat in quickly. An opportunity missed for England.

Adil Rashid to Imam-ul-Haq. Rashid drags his length back just a bit and Imam goes back to punch it down to long on. A single taken.

Adil Rashid to Imam-ul-Haq. Tossed up delivery landing full on middle, Imam is forward as he defends it close to his front pad.

Adil Rashid to Haris Sohail. Walks forward to a full ball and easily flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Adil Rashid to Haris Sohail. A leg spinner on the leg stump line, Sohail fails to flick and it goes off his pads to square leg.

Adil Rashid to Imam-ul-Haq. Starts with a loopy delivery on middle, Imam takes it on the full and forces it down to long on for a run.

Time for some delicious leg spin. Adil Rashid is introduced into the attack from this end, replacing Joe Root. A slip is in place...

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total.

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. FOUR! A well-controlled pull shot this time, fine timing and placement too and Imam has a boundary to his name. Stokes tries to bounce out the southpaw but Imam is easily on top of the delivery as he thumps it behind square leg.

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. Turns it off his pads to the leg side but finds the fielder.

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. Short ball again, jumping onto the batsman, Imam mistimes his pull shot on the leg side.

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. Bangs in a short ball around off, Imam sways away from the line.

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. Stokes balls this short on off, cross seamed delivery, Short and wide. Imam tries to cut it but fails to connect.

Ben Stokes is back into the attack with the Oval bathed in sunshine.

Joe Root to Haris Sohail. A slider on off, skidding back in from around off, Sohail punches it off his back foot to extra cover.

Joe Root to Imam-ul-Haq. Tossed up ball on middle, it's turned behind square leg for a run.

Sun is shining now. We can see some blue sky also. The players and the match officials are walking out to the centre. It's now 41 overs per side match. Joe Root to complete his over...

Update 1605 local - The rain did stop briefly and the umpires had walked out while the side covers were being removed. The hopes of resumption soon just seemed to be budding but the rain comes pelting down almost immediately. Covers back on!

...and the drizzle has picked up intensity now. The players are rushing off the field and the hover cover has come out quickly to protect the surface. It's going to be that kind of a day. Right then, rain and hail have stopped play currently. Stay tuned for more updates.

Joe Root to Haris Sohail. Quicker and on the pads, helped in the gap at square leg for one.

Joe Root to Imam-ul-Haq. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

Umbrellas are going up. Some spots of rain in the air.

Joe Root to Imam-ul-Haq. Leans forward to a full ball and defends it to the off side.

Joe Root to Imam-ul-Haq. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Pakistan! Root is on the shorter side first up in this over and Imam goes deep inside the crease to whack it through point for a cracking boundary.

Liam Plunkett to Haris Sohail. FOUR! Straight as an arrow. Fuller length on off, Sohail drives it back past the bowler. Archer chases the ball from mid off and gives a dive near the fence but the ball wins the race. That's class from Haris.

Liam Plunkett to Haris Sohail. A well-directed bouncer. Sohail ducks under it.

Liam Plunkett to Imam-ul-Haq. Plunkett bowls this back of a length on leg, Imam flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Liam Plunkett to Haris Sohail. A back of a length on off, Sohail punches it towards the cover region with pure timing, single taken.

Liam Plunkett to Imam-ul-Haq. A length delivery on off, Imam flicks it towards the square leg region for a run.

Angry dark clouds are slowly enveloping the stadium. They are looking threatening. But as of now, it's good to go...

Liam Plunkett to Imam-ul-Haq. Plunkett bowls this too full on middle and off, Imam digs it out.

Drinks break. Slow going from Pakistan after losing two top order wickets. England have bowled with a lot of intent and have kept things tight. The conditions have assisted them too but it's not unplayable. Imam is slowly finding his groove and Sohail has also looked quite settled in his short stay. It's all about how they recover in the middle phase and England's spinners perform.

Joe Root to Haris Sohail. A touch short in length and on off, Sohail goes on the back foot and punches it to covers.

Joe Root to Imam-ul-Haq. Flatter and fuller on off, Imam forces his drive back to the bowler who dives and parries it towards extra cover. They cross as the fielder scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. No harm done.

Joe Root to Haris Sohail. Another push through the gap at covers and the batsmen cross for a run.

Joe Root to Imam-ul-Haq. Leans forward to a full ball and pushes it with soft hands to covers for one.

Joe Root to Imam-ul-Haq. A slider on the shorter side, around off, Imam goes back to cut but finds backward point.

Joe Root to Imam-ul-Haq. A nicely tossed up delivery, full and on off, Imam defends it off his front foot.

Eoin Morgan brings in Joe Root. He has given a slip to the off spinner.

Liam Plunkett to Haris Sohail. FOUR! Wow! Plunkett overpitches it a shade outside off, Haris gets the opportunity to stride forward and he unfurls a crisp cover drive for a boundary, a much-needed one for Pakistan.

Liam Plunkett to Imam-ul-Haq. Once again the line is too straight, Imam works it through square leg and rotates the strike.

Liam Plunkett to Haris Sohail. Length delivery on the pads, it's clipped through mid-wicket for one.

Liam Plunkett to Haris Sohail. Fractionally short and on off, Sohail goes on his toes and plays it down to backward point.

Liam Plunkett to Imam-ul-Haq. Back of a length delivery outside off, Imam keeps his weight on the back foot and steers it through point for one.

Liam Plunkett to Imam-ul-Haq. Pitches it up and around off, Imam drives it off his front foot to extra cover.

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. Shortish and on off, it's pulled through square leg for a run.

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. On and around off, a length ball, Imam defends it off his back foot to the off side.

Ben Stokes to Haris Sohail. Length delivery on middle, Sohail plays it off his pads through mid-wicket for a run.

Ben Stokes to Haris Sohail. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

A slip comes in for Haris Sohail.

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. A little bit of width on offer outside off, Imam glides it down to third man for a single.

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. Digs in a short delivery around off, Imam stands tall to pull it across the line but fails to get proper connection. It rolls towards short mid-wicket.

Haris Sohail walks out at number 4.

Liam Plunkett to Babar Azam. OUT! Just as I said the ball was coming off the middle, it now takes the outside edge and Babar has to depart! On a length outside off, Azam looks to drive but makes a mistake as he attempts that shot without much foot movement. The ball seams away off the surface very slightly and that causes it to take a faint outside edge. It carries to Buttler who takes a straightforward catch. England have their second and the budding stand of 35 has been broken. Azam who was looking really good will be disappointed now that he has to go.

Liam Plunkett to Babar Azam. The ball is now coming onto the bat nicely. Outside off, the ball is crunched off the middle of the bat of Azam towards point. Made a delightful sound!

Liam Plunkett to Babar Azam. On a length outside off, driven towards mid off on the front foot.

Liam Plunkett to Babar Azam. FOUR! Class! Back of a length slightly, Babar Azam cuts this one really stylishly. Gets the ball to bounce on the square before beating point to his left. Boundary!

Liam Plunkett to Babar Azam. Pushed on the front foot towards mid off by Babar.

Liam Plunkett to Imam-ul-Haq. Short of a length on off, Imam stylishly pulls this to deep fine leg for a run.

Ben Stokes to Babar Azam. On a length outside off, Babar has punched that ball through the offside. 5 runs off Stokes' first.

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. Loud shout but the umpire is not interested. Pitching outside leg on a length, Imam looks to flick but misses and gets rapped on the pads. Stokes appeals but that was very, very optimistic. A leg bye is taken in the meanwhile as the ball rolls towards backward square leg.

Ben Stokes to Babar Azam. Pulled away through square leg for a run by Azam.

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. Fuller one on off, Imam wants to defend on the front foot but the ball goes off the outside edge and towards third man for a run.

Ben Stokes to Imam-ul-Haq. Play and a miss! Length outside off and holding its line as the ball is angled away from the lefty. Imam looks to cut the ball but the ball goes over his bat. Too close to off to be cutting actually!

Ben Stokes to Babar Azam. On a length outside off, dabbed down towards third man and Babar rotates strike.

Ben Stokes to Babar Azam. Wide! Stokes sprays this wide down the leg side. It is penalized by the umpire.

Time for the Powerplay 2! It will be from overs 11 to 38. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes comes on to bowl, replacing Chris Woakes.

Liam Plunkett to Imam-ul-Haq. On a length and defended onto the shoes and the ball rolls back down to the bowler. Pakistan are 35/1 at the end of Powerplay 1.

Liam Plunkett to Imam-ul-Haq. On a length on middle, Imam gets the ball off his outside half towards the right of point. A quick run is what the batsmen want but it will not be available.

Liam Plunkett to Imam-ul-Haq. Wide! Wrong line from Plunkett again. The ball is down the leg side and is wided.

Liam Plunkett to Imam-ul-Haq. FOUR! Tickled fine! Buttler dives but cannot reach the ball. Imam picks up four. A length ball on the hips, Imam has to just get bat on ball and glance it away from the keeper. Easy pickings.

Liam Plunkett to Babar Azam. Eased down to third man for a run by BA.

Liam Plunkett to Imam-ul-Haq. Back of a length on middle, worked towards mid-wicket by Imam off his toes. A run is completed.

Liam Plunkett to Babar Azam. Starts off with a fuller one on middle, Babar drives this one towards mid on where Archer moves to his left and makes a tumbling stop. Single taken though as the ball takes time to be retrieved.

Here comes the first bowling change. Liam Plunkett replaces Jofra Archer in the attack.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Imam leaves this one outside off this time. Just the one boundary off this over.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Excellent fielding off his own bowling! On a length on leg stump line, Imam taps the ball towards the the left of the bowler and looks to run but Woakes runs to the ball quickly and prevents the single with a tumbling stop.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. This one is defended from the crease by the batsman.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Short of a length slightly at the body, Imam pats the ball on the leg side after riding the bounce.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. FOUR! Woakes attempts the bouncer but it does not trouble Imam. The ball goes at a good height which Imam pulls through the line. The ball goes through square leg for a boundary. Not the best of timing but four nonetheless.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. On a length outside off, defended towards point by Imam.

Jofra Archer to Babar Azam. FOUR! Short and wide, this ball spoils what was a really good over till then. Babar gets nice and tall before punching this through cover-point for a boundary.

Jofra Archer to Babar Azam. Leaves this ball on a length outside off at the last moment. Good decision by the batsman to let that go.

Jofra Archer to Babar Azam. Outside off on a length, Babar Azam pushes the ball to point with a chop.

Jofra Archer to Babar Azam. Outside off on a length, left alone by Azam.

Jofra Archer to Babar Azam. Some chin music for the batsman, he lets that bouncer through to the wicket-keeper by swaying away. Good technique!

Some problem for Babar with the sightscreen. David Willey, the England squad member, is the man helping out.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. On a length outside off, Imam push-drives this one to the right of mid off for a single.

Chris Woakes to Babar Azam. Excellent line from Woakes. Keeps it on a length around off, Babar stays on the back foot and defends it out with an angled bat.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Lands it on a length around middle, Imam pushes it gently to the left of mid on and pinches a single.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Pitches it up and on middle, Imam drives it down the ground but finds the mid on fielder.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Poor footwork from Imam. He sticks back inside the crease to play at a length delivery outside off, the angle keeps on leaving him and beats the outside edge of his blade.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. A touch short in length on off, Imam taps it down towards extra cover and sets off for a run. Babar sends him back as Morgan quickly gets to the ball from mid off.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Good length delivery on off, angling away from the batsman, Imam shoulders arms.

Jofra Archer to Babar Azam. Full again, angling in around off, Azam brings down a straight bat and pushes it off the inside half towards wide mid on.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. Fullish and on leg, Imam is beaten in pace as he tries to flick. It goes off his pads towards square leg for a leg bye.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. Boom! Archer bangs in a pacey bouncer, it's in the line of the batsman and Imam immediately ducks underneath it.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. Better from Imam. He watches the line very closely, it's on a good length and outside off, the left-hander allows it through.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. Wide! Archer loses his line this time and slips a length ball down the leg side. Imam fails to make any use of it.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. Beauty! Imam is lucky to not have edged it. This one leaves the southpaw with the angle. On a back of a length around off, Imam pushes inside the line and misses.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. Not offering anything, Jofra. He is clocking in the 90s section and keeping it on and around off. Imam gets behind the line and defends it solidly.

Chris Woakes to Babar Azam. FOUR! Pakistan's best batsman is off the mark with a delightful flick shot. Woakes delivers a gift in the form of a length delivery on the pads and Babar accepts it gleefully by easing it in front of square leg for a boundary.

Chris Woakes to Babar Azam. Azam has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Woakes goes searching for the magic delivery. Tries to bowl an outswinger by landing it on the leg stump line. But there is very little movement this time and the line is too straight for the batsman to work it around. Imam taps it down in front of square leg and rotates the strike.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Beaten on this occasion! Identical line to the last delivery but this one shapes away after landing. Imam is caught pushing and missing inside the line.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. This time Woakes bowls it closer to the off stump line, Imam gets behind the line and blocks it back.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Angling across the batsman, on a good length, Imam watches the line closely before making a leave.

Jofra Archer to Babar Azam. Yorker to welcome the new batsman. Babar had to be on his heels there to get low and keep that one out. A wicket maiden!

Babar Azam walks out to bat at number 3. A forward short leg in place.

Jofra Archer to Fakhar Zaman. OUT! Archer has the first one! Fakhar is a goner. Jofra has been beating the outside edge a lot and this time he has found it. The length ball on off finds the edge of Zaman's bat who was looking to push that one on the off side. It carries at a good height to Root at second slip. Joe takes it on the second attempt! England are elated and the poor opening partnership for Pakistan continues as Fakhar departs for a fidgety, miss-filled 11-ball 3.

Jofra Archer to Fakhar Zaman. Outside half of the bat found but the ball rolls besides the surface.

Jofra Archer to Fakhar Zaman. BUMP BALL! Low full toss on middle, Fakhar defends it and the substitute fielder at mid-wicket, Foakes, dives and stops the ball.

Jofra Archer to Fakhar Zaman. Banana swing almost! Lands it on a length on off and the ball swings away to end in front of second slip almost where Buttler dives and collects.

Jofra Archer to Fakhar Zaman. Loud call of NO from Imam. A length ball on middle, Fakhar pushes it towards mid-wicket and looks for a quick run but is wisely sent back by his partner. Would have been a suicidal run.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. FOUR! The first boundary of the game and it is off the bat of Imam. Short one on the body, pulled away through square leg. Deep fine leg is beaten easily.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Bouncer to follow the full one. Imam ducks under the ball and lets it go.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Fuller on off, Imam comes a little ahead and low to defend.

Chris Woakes to Fakhar Zaman. This one was on the hips of Zaman. Fakhar looks to glance it fine but fails to connect bat to ball. It goes off the thigh pad fine on the leg side for a leg bye.

Chris Woakes to Fakhar Zaman. Back of a length on middle and leg, tapped towards the on side.

Chris Woakes to Fakhar Zaman. Woakes finds the right line now! On a length outside off, Fakhar wants to feel the ball on bat but is beaten due to the away movement.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. Good finish to the over! A maiden to start with for Archer. Testing would be the word. A back of a length ball on the body to finish, defended back down the surface.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. Bouncer aimed at the head of the batsman, Imam ducks under it and evades the ball.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. Another jaffa! The batsman fails to put bat on ball as the late movement takes the ball away from Imam.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. This one shapes away even more viciously! On a length and off stump line, the ball moves away to beat the batsman who was initially looking to defend it.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. Beauty! Archer almost had his first one. A length ball on middle and off and shapes away very slightly. Imam looked to defend but was beaten by the late movement.

Jofra Archer to Imam-ul-Haq. On the pads, patted towards mid-wicket by Imam. Jofra too starts off with a very straight line. Looks like a plan not to give the Pakistan openers any width.

Jofra Archer will bowl with the other new ball.

Chris Woakes to Fakhar Zaman. On the pads again this time, there is a huge gap at mid-wicket and Fakhar pushes the ball exactly there. Two runs easily picked up. 5 off the first over.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads fine on the leg side. One run added to the total.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Outside off slightly back of a length. Imam stands tall and defends the ball.

Chris Woakes to Fakhar Zaman. Pulled away for a run and Zaman is off the mark too. The length ball is hit away to fine leg for a single.

Chris Woakes to Fakhar Zaman. Pushed off the back foot towards point by Fakhar.

Chris Woakes to Imam-ul-Haq. Off the mark straightaway! On a length but at the hips of the southpaw, Imam works it towards mid-wicket for a single.

The covers were back on just a few minutes back but guess what they are off now and in walk the players. The England fielders are out in the middle, followed by the two Pakistan openers, Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman. Chris Woakes has the first new ball in his hand. Time for some cricket, finally! 3 slips in place, let's play...

So! It is a home ODI debut for Jofra Archer while the pace sensation from Pakistan, Mohammad Hasnain is not featuring today. Mohammad Amir is in the eleven and returns to play at the very place where he famously removed the troika of Kohli, Rohit and Dhawan in the Champions Trophy triumph in 2017. Another performance like that would help him force a way into the World Cup squad. This promises to be a cracker of a contest provided the rain stays away! Not too far from the first ball in a 47-overs per side contest...

England XI - Jonny Bairstow, James Vince, Joe Denly, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (C), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (WK), Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer.

Pakistan XI - Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Asif Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK/C), Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi.

TOSS - England skipper, Eoin Morgan wins the coin flip. He decides that they will chase!

After a delay of about 45 minutes past what would have been the original start of play, we are finally set to get the English summer underway properly. The T20I was just more of a fun way to start, these 5 ODIs will set the tone with the same format World Cup which begins on the 30th of this month. Coming to the game at hand, England are walking into this with a full-strength squad and nothing short of 5 wins would make them happy against a Pakistan side that is not particularly coming into this with the best of form. The coin toss to follow...