England win ODI series 3-1 after beating Pakistan by 84 runs in finale

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 20 November 2015

England win their one-day international series 3-1 after beating Pakistan by 84 runs in the final match in Dubai.

England have won their first one-day international series in Asia since 2010 by clinching the fourth and final match by 84 runs against Pakistan in Dubai.

Jos Buttler was the hero of the day as he scored the fastest ever one-day century by an Englishman, making him the joint seventh fastest in history.

England batsman Jos Buttler celebrates his century in the fourth one-day international against Pakistan in Dubai on November 20, 2015 © Getty Images

It was a steady start to the innings from England openers Jason Roy and Alex Hales, but the partnership was cut short at 54 runs when the latter was taken out by Mohammad Irfan.

Trevor Bayliss's side managed to recover though, as Roy guided the attack to reach his maiden international century off 113 balls to help the team to 189-1.

Joe Root also impressed as he brought up his 11th one-day half-century from a six, but Yasir Shah and Azhar Ali took some control for Pakistan by dismissing the partnership.

Shah called an end to Roy's innings as the batsman left the field on 102 off 117 balls, while Root (71) was undone by Ali after going for a reverse sweep.

The star of England's innings, though, was Buttler as he put his name in the history books by scoring 100 off just 46 balls, and eventually guided the team to 355-5 with an unbeaten knock of 116 off 52 balls.

England batsman Jason Roy celebrates his century in the fourth one-day international against Pakistan in Dubai on November 20, 2015 © Getty Images

England also impressed with the ball in the early stages of Pakistan's innings as David Willey took two wickets in as many overs, dismissing Ali (44) and Ahmed Shehzad (13), and Moeen Ali would have added a third had Hales not dropped in the deep.

Mohammad Hafeez, who was on 26 runs when Hales made the blunder, managed to reach 37 runs before getting run out by Buttler off Willey's delivery.

Pakistan's run rate was impressive as Shoaib Malik and Babar Azam scored half-centuries, but England kept knocking them back as Adil Rashid, Reece Topley and Ali got themselves among the wickets.

At 259-8, Pakistan needed 97 more runs to win, but Ali claimed his second wicket of the day to send Shah back to the pavilion on five runs, and wrapped up the contest by taking the wicket of Anwar Ali (24).

England lost the first match of the series, but went on to win three on the bounce.