Half-centuries from Jason Roy and Joe Root secured a comfortable 44-run victory for England against Pakistan in the rain-interrupted opening Royal London One Day International in Southampton. 

After restricting the tourists to 260-6, the pair each scored half-centuries and shared a second wicket stand of 89 that helped Eoin Morgan's men to 194-3 in 34.3 overs when rain curtailed the contest.

Having won the toss and elected to bat first, Pakistan’s 260 total fell 50 runs short of the average score batting first at the Ageas Bowl, despite 82 from Ahzar Ali and a 55-run knock from Sarfraz Ahmed.

Mark Wood consistently topped 90 miles-per-hour in his 1-57 while Adil Rashid took two wickets to help restrict the tourists to a little over five runs-an-over.

Roy had to call on the England physio after suffering dizzy spells, which he later put down to a lack of sugar, but still powered his way to 65 off 56 deliveries.

Shortly after the ten-minute delay, Hales lost his wicket as the Nottinghamshire batsman edged Umar Gul to Hafeez in the slips for seven. 

Partnered by Joe Root, a revitalised Roy blasted his way to a half century off 43 balls, before falling to Naweez for 65 as Babar held on for a well-judged catch narrowly inside the boundary rope.

"It's a nice benchmark but I'm looking to push on from those," said the Surrey opener. "I was very disappointed to get out when I was feeling good, but the next game is around the corner so fingers crossed."

Root cruised to 61 before a misjudged call for a single by his captain Eion Morgan cost the number three his wicket. 

With Morgan unbeaten on 33 and Ben Stokes 15 not out, rain brought an end to the game and ultimately brought victory for England, who were 193-4, way ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis par of 150. 

England head into Saturday’s fixture at Lord’s leading the Super Series 10-8, before heading to Trent Bridge for the third of the five match ODI campaign.

 

Trent Bridge will host an Investec Test Match between England and South Africa, and a Royal London One-Day International visit from the West Indies, in 2017.

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