James Taylor and Chris Woakes inspire England to heavy Pakistan win

James Taylor and Chris Woakes produced fine individual performances to put England within a win of clinching the one-day series against Pakistan after prevailing by six wickets in the third match in Sharjah. Woakes took 4 for 40 as the hosts collapsed to set just 209 to win, before Taylor continued his fine tour with a match-winning 67 not out to guide England home with nine overs to spare.

The Nottinghamshire batsman put on 117 for the fifth wicket alongside a rejuvenated Jos Buttler (49 not out) to give the tourists a 2-1 series lead with one game remaining in Dubai on Friday (20 November). Pakistan failed to penetrate with the ball amid some defensive field settings and they will rue setting a sub-par total having been 132 for 2.

The 1996 50-over world champions did reduce England to 93 for 4 after Zafar Gohar dismissed Joe Root (11) and Alex Hales (30), but they were unable to intensify the pressure. Taylor maintained his impressive form with a typically calm innings alongside Buttler, who hit the winning runs with a fine six through deep mid-wicket to put England on the brink of one-day success on the sub-continent.