England vs Pakistan, 3rd ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

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England canter home

For the second time in a row, in the Pakistan-England ODI series, it turned out to be a run-fest and yet again it was the home side who came out on top as they overhauled the Asian nation's sizeable total of 358 in just 44.5 overs.

In pursuit of a 300 plus target, the duo of Jonny Bairstow (126) and Jason Roy (76) smashed Pakistan's attack to shreds to provide the platform for the middle order. Initially, Roy was the more aggressive of the two. The way he waltzed down the track and thwacked Shaheen Afridi into the downtown territories was a warning signal to Pakistan's camp.

Bairstow soon joined in the act with a pick-up shot over deep square leg fence. The dashing batsman continued to use his strong bottom hand to explore every nook and corner of the ground.

By the end of the 10th over, England were already 74 for 1. To make matters worse for Pakistan, the duo went up another gear to leave them gasping. In the next five overs, the pair collected as many as 63 runs.

Just when both batsmen looked set to reach the three-figure mark, Roy was removed by Faheem Ashraf. Despite losing his opening partner, Bairstow continued to deal in boundaries and soon completed his century with a single off Haris Sohail.

Eventually, in the 29th over, Bairstow chopped one onto the stumps to give Junaid Khan the wicket. Joe Root, who had played the supporting role to his teammate from Yorkshire, took over with a six off Wasim. He also showed unhurried swagger by flat-batting Faheem for a boundary. Ben Stokes, who was sent up the order to find some form, also played with freedom by punching Faheem into the stands.

The battered and bruised Pakistan side had a sigh of relief as Root was dismissed in the 35th over. Stokes, meanwhile, was run out the back of Moeen Ali's forceful drive deflecting via Afridi's boot and onto the stumps, with the all rounder finding himself short.

However, by then, the result of the game was more or less a foregone conclusion. Moeen and Eoin Morgan duly completed the formalities. On a tough day, the Pakistan camp would rue the fact that they dropped a couple of sitters.

England lose three

Root looked in excellent touch. He skipped down the track to thump Imad for a six. And also showed some swagger by flat-batting Faheem for a boundary. However, he tried to play one shot too many and was dismissed by Imad. England, though, just need over 5 runs per over.

Bairstow's exhilarating innings comes to end

Pakistan have picked up another wicket and it turns out to be the prized scalp of Bairstow. The explosive batsman cracked an imposing 93-ball 128 before he chopped Junaid Khan onto the stumps. Exhilarating. Audacious. Swagger.

Blazing ton

Bairstow's blitz. And the Yorkshireman has composed a believe-it-or-not 74-ball ton. Those short-arm punches and slogs over midwicket. Bairstow has touched elevated heights today.

Finallya wicket!!

Phew! Pakistan would be relieved. Faheem has finally ended the staggering stand of 159 in just over 17 overs. Roy charged down the track and tried to slap it through covers but it came via the splice. Asif Ali was perhaps taken aback by the lights but held on to the catch. Pakistan looked flat and were going through the motions and needed this wicket.

Meanwhile, Roy played as though he owned the ground. The way he stood tall to repeatedly hit through the line was majestic.