England lose final warm-up game to Pakistan ahead of World Cup opener

England have lost their final warm-up match ahead of the Cricket World Cup, losing out to Pakistan by four wickets.

Joe Root struck an excellent 85 off 89 balls while Alex Hales (31) and Gary Balance (57) also provided hope after coming into the side, but captain Eoin Morgan will have caused more concern after he was dismissed for a third duck in just four matches.

The England skipper will now begin the World Cup campaign having scored just two runs in his last four innings.

After finishing on 250-8, with Root being halted in the penultimate over, England quickly reduced Pakistan to 78-4. While England ensured a tense conclusion in Sydney, the partnership of Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal (65) saw Pakistan seal victory with seven balls to spare, with the captain finishing with an unbeaten 91 after two powerful fours off Broad's delivery.

Hales and Ballance, who did not feature in England's recent tri-series campaign against Australia and India, were given their last chance to force their way into the XI to face Australia on Saturday 14 February, while Ian Bell and James Taylor sat out.