Pakistan did what they are known for, throwing up surprises in the most uncanny of ways. A batting lineup having the number one ODI batter in Babar Azam, the battery with most runs in T20s this year, Mohammad Rizwan failed to even make a mark in Cardiff as the whole team folded for a disappointing 141.
Fakhar Zaman was the highest scorer with 47 from 67 balls, but he dealt his team a heavy blow by running out Sohaib Maqsood. Maqsood, who was making his international comeback after five years, looked good for his short stay at the crease (19 runs). Apart from these two, Shadab Khan was the only one that seemed to have got the hang of the Sophia Gardens wicket which was slow and had double bounce.
Saqib Mahmood, the only English pacer in the squad with some experience of playing against all these Pakistan batters in the PSL first leg, ripped through the top order of the visitors. He got Imam ul Haq on the very first ball while Babar Azam nicked an unplayable delivery to give Mahmood his second scalp in the very first over of the innings.
Among the other two wickets of the 24-year-old Lancashire bowler were debutant Saud Shakeel and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf. Along with Mahmood, Craig Overton and Matthew Parkinson picked two wickets while Lewis Gregory got the solitary wicket of Rizwan.
With only 141 to defend, the Pakistan bowlers have their task cut out. Even a greatly inexperienced England team would fancy itself to get the work done as soon as possible.