England have Pakistan on back foot

England made a stunning start to their bid to level the NatWest Series against Pakistan at Edgbaston.

Needing to win the fifth match to seal a 2-2 draw and thus avoid a fifth straight one-day campaign defeat, they dismissed half the tourists' side within 25 overs.

Although they did not take initial advantage of Andrew Strauss winning his first toss of the campaign, failing to take a wicket in the opening dozen overs in helpful early morning conditions, the Pakistanis were restricted to 74 for five at the halfway stage.

Despite the ball nipping around, it took a smart piece of fielding from wicketkeeper Chris Read to secure the first breakthrough.

Left-hander Imran Farhat inside-edged into the leg-side off Sajid Mahmood and dallied outside his crease as Read swooped to flick the ball into the stumps.

Television umpire Nigel Llong deliberated for a few minutes before confirming Farhat's demise.

It had proved a tough recall for Farhat as youngster Stuart Broad twice found the edge of his bat in the third over, the first fell short of wicketkeeper Chris Read and the second flew to third man.

After his departure, Jon Lewis removed dangerman Shahid Afridi by sneaking one through a hoik towards the leg-side.

And Mahmood took the run to three wickets for eight runs when opener Mohammad Hafeez chopped into his stumps.

Run-scoring was at a premium and the Pakistan total was given a major boost when Mohammad Yousuf helped a short ball from Mahmood over the rope at fine leg. However, a fine delivery in Mahmood's next over resulted in Yousuf steering low to Strauss at a wide slip position.