England 284 for 6 (Wyatt 110, Beaumont 107) beat Pakistan 209 (Maroof 69, Cross 4-32) by 75 runs
Danni Wyatt's maiden women's ODI hundred, and a seventh in the format from Tammy Beaumont, set up England for victory in the first match of the series against Pakistan. England consolidated second spot in the ICC Women's Championship, with qualification for the 2021 World Cup already confirmed.
The 75-run margin, while comfortable enough for Heather Knight's side, was the closest chase in nine ODI meetings between the sides. Pakistan, currently lying fifth on the table, still retain hope of automatic progression to the World Cup but face a tough run of fixtures against England and India between them and a top-four spot.
England's total was set up by a dominant 188-run stand between the openers, Wyatt and Beaumont. Pushed back up the order, with Amy Jones taking the gloves and shifting to No. 5, Wyatt cracked an 86-ball hundred to set the innings up perfectly, before Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof finally made the breakthrough.
Beaumont was more circumspect, reaching three figures from 136 balls, and Pakistan did a good job of controlling the scoring after Wyatt's departure, with England adding 96 from the final 16 overs. Knight managed 41 from 44 balls but Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson and Jones all fell cheaply as debutant Rameen Shamim finished with 3 for 61 from her ten overs.
"I'm delighted to have got a hundred and for us to get the win," Wyatt said. "It was a tough challenge early on. The pitch was slow and skiddy so it was really important to play straight.
"Heather's given me licence to play my game at the top of the order and that's what I did. We maybe left a few runs out there and there are definitely a few things to work on for the next game, but Pakistan batted well and it was to nice to start the new era with a good win."
Pakistan's reply began badly, with both openers gone inside the first three overs as senior new-ball pair Anya Shrubsole and Katherine Brunt hit their straps. When Kate Cross claimed the first of her four wickets in the 11th over, Pakistan were 39 for 3 and facing a steep asking rate.
Maroof and Umaima Sohail helped rebuild with a 67-run stand for the fourth wicket, while some late aggression from Aliya Riaz kept Pakistan in contention. Maroof recorded her 13th ODI half-century before being bowled for 69 by Cross, and England's debutant legspinner Sarah Glenn picked up two-for as Pakistan lost their last four wickets for six runs.
The dismissal of Nida Dar lbw earlier in the chase also saw Brunt reach 150 ODI wickets as England, under the guidance of assistant coach Ali Maiden ahead of Lisa Keightley taking charge in the new year, got their tour off to a solid start.
