England Destroy Pakistan In Key Clash

Anderson recorded figures of 10-2-29-4 as their opponents were dismissed for 134 in 31 overs.

Andrew Caddick offered the first inroad, responding to being hit for a towering six over long-on by Shahid Afridi the previous ball to entice a snick behind.

But then Anderson made his dramatic start by dismissing Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana, both first ball.

Two superb away-swingers did the damage; Inzamam drawn forward and edging to Nick Knight at second slip, Youhana yorked by another full-length delivery to leave Pakistan struggling on 17 for three in the fourth over.

England kept up the pressure and Andrew Flintoff struck in his first over as Younis Khan steepled a catch towards fine leg and Alec Stewart ran 30 yards to take a tumbling catch.

Anderson then claimed two wickets in an over for the second time when Anwar was trapped leg before for 29 and Rashid Latif nicked another catch to Stewart.

That double blow left Pakistan reeling on 59 for six but their misery had not yet finished as Craig White claimed three more wickets.

And despite some lusty late blows from last man Shoaib Akhtar, who took him for 21 in an over and top-scored with 43 from just 16 balls, England eventually dismissed them for 134 in 31 overs.

However, there was some bad news for England, who took to the field without Michael Vaughan, who along with Paul Collingwood scored a half-century in 246 for eight after Hussain won the toss.

Yorkshire's Vaughan was undergoing treatment on a calf injury, so 12th man Matthew Hoggard was employed as a substitute. He experienced discomfort during his innings of 52 and the injury will be of great concern given his imperious winter form.

After he sliced to point off Shoaib Akhtar, who recorded a delivery in excess of 100 miles per hour to Nick Knight, Collingwood helped England recover from 118 for five at the halfway stage.

Nudging and nurdling ones and twos, Collingwood finished unbeaten on 66, from 73 balls.

Meanwhile, Hussain, who returned to lead the side following a neck strain wore thick bandaging under his collar.