Who's the daddy? Buttler heroics set England on way to narrow win

David Willey replaced possible World Cup-bolter Joffra Archer as England rotated resources and the Yorkshire paceman's tight death bowling helped see the hosts home, giving them a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Buttler and captain Eoin Morgan posted a 162-run stand as England struck 373 for three.

Former Pakistan Navy officer Fakhar Zaman then blasted 138 in 106 balls only to be dismissed on review, Woakes' out-swinger catching the toe of his bat for Buttler to hold behind, but his contribution was in a losing cause.

Buttler and wife Louise recently celebrated the birth of first child Georgia Rose and England's premier one-day run-maker celebrated his stunning innings with a touching family tribute.

Skipper Morgan fired an unbeaten 71 of his own as the hosts produced their seventh-highest ODI total at the Ageas Bowl.

England have now passed 300 runs in ODIs 35 times since the 2015 World Cup – compared with 34 times in their entire previous history.

Buttler's remarkable muscle-flexing comprised six fours and nine sixes, with his second 50 coming in just 18 balls.

The four that yielded his half century proved the epitome of improvised attack.

The 28-year-old stepped away from his wicket to swat Faheem Ashraf's wayward leg-side bouncer over point – and all the way to the boundary.

Morgan was just as proactive at the other end to put England in a commanding position.

Jonny Bairstow's 51 set the tone for a fluid enough England knock, the opener surviving two close calls before holing out to Zaman on the boundary.

Jason Roy plundered 87 but could not turn that 13th half century into a three-figure knock, top-edging Haris Sohail for a facile Imad Wasim catch.

Joe Root cantered to a comfortable 40 only to depart in frustration, having blasted Yasir Shah straight to Sohail at midwicket.

Root's dismissal had England 211 for three in the 36th over, but then the fun really began, with neither Morgan nor Buttler looking back amid some eye-catching shot bludgeoning.

Entirely undeterred, Pakistan set about chasing down that 374 victory total with impressive zeal, Zaman's gusty knock spearheading the charge.

Ultimately his dismissal edged the tie England's way, though the tourists still conjured an engaging chase.

Babar Azam hit 51 before being caught and bowled by Adil Rashid, Sohail holed out to Bairstow at deep point for 14 off Liam Plunkett.

And then Asif Ali drove straight at Ben Stokes on the boundary off Willey's bowling to depart on 51.

Willey then dispatched Imad for eight, with Buttler claiming a top-edge at full stretch.

Plunkett sent Ashraf packing for three as Pakistan slipped seven wickets down in the final two overs.

Sarfaraz Ahmed wound up stranded on an unbeaten 41, with Hasan Ali four not out, as England ground out the result.

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