Gregory, Mahmood help England clinch ODI series

A fine all-round effort from Lewis Gregory helped England to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Pakistan at Lord's. The visitors could muster 195 while chasing a target of 248 in a rain-reduced 47 overs a side contest.

In pursuit of a tricky target, and on a track that assisted the seamers to some extent, Pakistan needed a good start. However, Saqib Mahmood and Gregory found enough movement off the seam to leave the visitors in trouble at 36 for 3. Imam-ul-Haq chased a delivery that nibbled just enough and was caught behind. Saqib then bowled the nip-backer to pick up the key scalp of Babar Azam. The Pakistan skipper placed his belief in the review but to no avail.

Saqib continued to bowl scrambled seam and prised out Mohammad Rizwan with the one that straightened a bit on the angle. Fakhar Zaman, who took 45 deliveries for his 10, was then castled by the nip-backer from Craig Overton. For a while, Saud Shakeel (56) and Sohaib Maqsood raised hopes of Pakistan making a comeback. Shakeel in particular looked compact, essaying the occasional flick and drive. Just that, against the run of play, Maqsood tried to slog Overton without much conviction with Simpson safely pouching the catch.

At the fall of Maqsood's wicket, Shakeel found another able ally in Shadab Khan. The duo shared an alliance of 29 before Shadab was undone by Gregory's bumper. Simpson, who is