Asa Tribe struck an unbeaten 52 as the England Lions secured a comfortable nine-wicket win over the Pakistan Shaheens in their opening unofficial one-day international in Abu Dhabi.
After winning the toss and choosing to field, the Lions produced a disciplined bowling display to dismiss the Shaheens for 152 in 38.3 overs.
Making his 50-over debut for the Lions, the 21-year-old opener shared a composed 77-run stand with Durham’s Ben McKinney. McKinney was stumped for 42 at the end of the 13th over, but Tribe continued to anchor the innings.
He combined effectively with Somerset’s James Rew, the pair adding a further 77 for the second wicket to guide the Lions to victory.
Tribe finished unbeaten on 52 from 64 balls, hitting six boundaries, and was the only player to record a half-century in the match. Rew ended 48 not out from 41 deliveries.
The Tribe-Rew partnership is fast becoming a productive one for the Lions. On Tribe’s red-ball debut at the Manuka Oval in Canberra last November, the duo put on an unbeaten 137 against the Prime Minister’s XI. A week later, Tribe went on to score 129 not out against Australia A — his maiden Lions century.
His recent form has continued in the shorter format. On his T20 debut against the Shaheens last week, Tribe struck a match-winning 64 not out.
The Farmers Caesareans CC product has now recorded an unbeaten half-century on his List A, 50-over and T20 debuts for the Lions.
England Test captain Ben Stokes is currently part of the coaching set-up in Abu Dhabi, with Tribe’s performances unlikely to have gone unnoticed.
The Lions lead the five-match unofficial ODI series 1-0, with the second fixture due to take place on Sunday (6am GMT).
To see the full scorecard, click the link; England Lions v Pakistan Shaheens – Cricket – BBC Sport
