Moeen Ali delivered a fine performance with the ball and picked up three wickets in England’s ICC World Cup encounter with Pakistan at Trent Bridge today – but ended on the losing side.
The Worcestershire all-rounder made the first three breakthroughs and ended with figures of 3-50 from his 10 overs.
It was the 31-year-old’s most successful figures for his country in ODI cricket since his 4-46 against Australia at Emirates Old Trafford 12 months ago.
But Pakistan managed to total 348-8 in their 50 overs and England went down by 14 runs.
Moeen came into the attack as first change at 62-0 from eight overs.
He struck first in his fourth over with a flighted delivery which gripped and turned and drew Fakhar Zaman (36) out of crease.
Keeper Jos Buttler quickly whipped off the bails and replays showed the opener to be out of his ground.
Moeen achieved another success when Imam ul Haq (44) went down the wicket and hit the ball over extra cove only for Chris Woakes to run fully 20 yards and take an excellent diving catch.
The first spell from Moeen produced a return of 7-0-36-2.
He came back into the attack for the 33rd over and immediately collected another scalp.
Babar Azam (63) also tried to hit Moeen over the top but Woakes held onto another fine low catch running in from long on.
England were left needing the highest successful run chase in World Cup history to win the game and Joe Root and Jos Buttler both scored centuries.
Moeen chipped in with 19 batting at number seven but England fell just short on 334-9.
