Bowlers, Taylor guide England to easy win

England

Batsman James Taylor scored an unbeaten 67 to guide England to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the third ODI in Sharjah and take a two-one lead in the four-match series.

Chasing a modest target of 209, Taylor received good support from wicketkeeper Jos Buttler (49*) as the pair put on an unbroken stand of 117 to see the Three Lions home.

The tourists were in trouble early on as they found themselves 27 for two in the sixth over after Jason Roy (7) and Joe Root (11) fell cheaply.

Alex Hales and captain Eoin Morgan steadied the ship with a partnership of 60 for third wicket but both went in quick succession as Pakistan tried to fight back.

With the total on 87, Hales was out for 30 he was one of two victims from debutant spinner, Zafar Gohar, while six runs later Morgan was sent back to the pavilion by seamer Mohammad Irfan for 35.

Taylor and Buttler restored England's superiority as they set about the bowlers, and in the end won easily with exactly nine overs to spare.

Earlier, it was England's bowlers that set up the win as they bowled the Asian team out for just 208 one ball into the final over of the innings.

Seamer Chris Woakes was the pick of the attack with figures of four for 40 but Pakistan did not help themselves as there were three run-outs in the innings.

The fourth and final ODI takes place on Friday in Dubai.

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