MAHMOOD MAGIC MAKES IT SO EASY FOR ENGLAND

SAQIB MAhMood insisted he thrived off the responsibility of being a senior player in England’s makeshift white-ball squad after demolishing Pakistan to become player of the match in the first one-day international. Not even a Covid outbreak in the England camp that led to a completely new squad being hauled out of Championship cricket could even up this one-sided encounter. Mahmood took two wickets with the first three balls of the game at Cardiff — including the prize scalp of Babar Azam second ball — and went on to claim figures of four for 42 as Pakistan were bowled out for a paltry 141. An England side skippered at late notice by Ben Stokes cantered home by nine wickets in just 21.5 overs with dawid Malan and Zak Crawley making unbeaten half centuries. ‘I was in the front row of the team picture!’ said Lancastrian Mahmood who, with just six T20 and four odI appearances was the third most-capped player in the England side. ‘I always thrive in whatever team I play for when I’ve got that extra responsibility. ‘I knew Ben Stokes wanted me to take the new ball and he also brought me on when we needed wickets. I’m glad I was able to back that up and make the most of that responsibility.’ Mahmood, at 24, has long been considered a bowler of huge potential but has struggled for opportunities and only made this squad when the original 16 were ruled out by an outbreak of Covid that affected three players and four management staff. ‘It’s the No 1 side in the world and you’ve got to do some pretty special things to take over from some of the guys who have the spots,’ said Mahmood (right). ‘When I’ve played for England before I haven’t managed to take the opportunity. ‘It’s not a side where you’ve got time to settle and I haven’t been able to nail down a place yet. I’m just glad I took my chance today.’ Stokes, who rushed to England’s rescue ahead of injury schedule to captain the side, was delighted with his first win in charge and said: ‘When you’ve got any new group together you’re always thriving for that team performance. ‘Something like today was a massive boost for us but we weren’t put under any pressure. ‘I’ve no doubt that pressure will come at some point and what we did today will stand us in good stead when it does.’ As much as Pakistan’s first choice side were woeful, this first of three 50over matches demonstrated the sheer depth of England’s whiteball quality. Brydon Carse caught the eye despite being wicketless in seven overs. he hit 90 miles per hour in his first over, peaking in his spell at 91, and clearly has the raw pace of another durham man in Mark Wood. Matt Parkinson also did himself no harm in taking two wickets and seeing chances spilled off his leg-spin by John Simpson and dawid Malan.