Marcus Trescothick Photo © AllSport UK

Marcus Trescothick hit a magnificent ton as England won the first game of their Pakistan tour. Facing a strong looking Governor’s XI England scored an impressive 323 in their 50 overs, before withstanding a fierce onslaught from the Pakistan batsmen to win by 81 runs.

The England skipper, Nasser Hussain, won the toss and elected to bat first on a wicket giving little help to the bowlers, against a Governor's XI containing 9 international players.

Despite the early loss of Stewart, Trescothick was in positive mood. He began with fours in the first two overs, and later struck three in a row off Shabbir Ahmed. He faced only 93 balls, and hit 12 fours and three sixes. It was his first century for England, but the style with which he made it promised that there will be many more to come.

Hussain started nervously. It took him 13 balls to score before he drove successive deliveries to the boundary. From then on he played an increasingly assured innings before being dismissed shortly after Trescothick.

England were indebted to Thorpe and Hick to consolidate their fine start and Hick went on to score 82 in just 60 balls, with nine fours and two sixes. He helped add 86 in the final 10 overs, with White contributing a selfless 21 not out from 12 balls.

Required to score at 6.44 runs per over, the Governor’s XI depended mainly on the hard-hitting Shahid Afridi to provide some fire-works in the opening overs. However, his early exit, caught behind off Caddick, came as a big blow for the home team.

There followed a period of domination by Saleem Elahi, who justified his selection for Pakistan’s one-day squad, as he hit a magnificent 120, off 103 balls, studded with 16 fours and a six. In partnership with Asim Kamal he put on 168 for the second wicket before Asim was brilliantly caught by Trescothick, off Hick, for 44 made off 77 balls. His partner followed, also dismissed by Hick, soon after with the total at 179.

The remaining batsmen capitulated under the immense pressure and some fine performances by the English bowlers, Darren Gough in particular.

Having now won their opening encounter in a convincing manner, the England team go into their next tour match against Pakistan A with great confidence. After that, they will lock horns with the Pakistan national side in the first one-day international to be played at the same venue.

© CricInfo Ltd.