England Crash to Another Defeat

James Anderson's best efforts were in vain as England lost to Pakistan A in their ODI series warm-up match at Bagh-e-Jinnah.

Anderson, who ended with figures of four for 46, took three wickets in five balls but still ended up on the losing side as the hosts sneaked a victory by one wicket with one ball to spare on the back of an unbeaten 90 from Bazid Khan.

Half-centuries from Matthew Prior (72) and Paul Collingwood (75 not out) had helped England to a competitive 236 for seven, after losing the toss and having to bat first on a hazy morning. But Pakistan A batted sensibly and kept wickets in hand for a decisive late surge which nicked the verdict at the death.

Bazid, the son of former test captain Majid Khan, hit Anderson for two successive fours in the final over to complete the victory on the penultimate ball of the innings.

The match was England's only warm up game for the five-match one-day series against Pakistan which starts on Saturday.

Bazid, who has played two one-day internationals and a Test, hit five fours and two sixes in his 88-ball knock. He put on 58 from 60 balls with Faisal Iqbal (31) for the fifth wicket, while opener Rafatullah Mohmand also scored 55.

Prior, England's reserve wicketkeeper, enhanced his chances of playing in the first one-day international by displaying good placement and power in his innings.

Andrew Strauss captained the England side for the first time after Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison were rested.

Strauss only joined the team on Tuesday night after returning from England for the birth of his son, Samuel David. He failed with the bat and was caught behind by Zulqarnain Haider for five off Riaz Afridi.