Abu Dhabi: Mohammad Hafeez hit a sparkling century to help Pakistan beat England by six wickets in the first day-night international at Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.


Pakistan's Muhammad Hafeez salutes after scoring a century (100 runs) during the first One Day International (ODI) cricket match between Pakistan and England at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in the Gulf Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Pic/AFP

The 35-year-old finished with an unbeaten 130-ball 102 to steer Pakistan to the modest target of 217 in 43.4 overs, carrying his batting form from the preceding 2-0 Test series win last week into the limited-overs clash. Hafeez added 106 for the unbroken fifth wicket stand with Babar Azam (62 not out) and 70 for the fourth wicket with Shoaib Malik (26). Eoin Morgan and James Taylor hit half centuries for England in a below-par total of 216 all out in 49.4 overs.