Essex Too Strong For Pakistan

After Andy Flower's unbeaten 115 had helped Essex post a total of 284 for six, the tourists could only respond with 234 all out in 46.1 overs.

Graham Napier put the tourists on the back foot when he dismissed Imran Nazir and Yousuf Youhana with successive deliveries in his third over.

Nick Denning then had Younis Khan caught at short mid-wicket with his first delivery at senior level, and should have collected another wicket with his second ball but failed to hold on to a very difficult return catch offered by Yasir Hameed.

Hameed made the most of his escape by scoring 82 from 89 balls, an effort containing nine fours and which was ended by Joe Grant who had him caught in the covers. With him out of the way, Essex were able to breathe much easier.

Before the lights were switched on, Flower, dropped by Nazir at cover point from a fierce square drive before he had scored, went on to assert his authority with some superb driving both sides of the wicket.

He reached his first 50 from 77 balls but needed only a further 42 to move into three figures with the aid of nine boundaries.

Flower added two more before suffering his only moment of discomfort in the final over of the innings - a painful blow on the shoulder from a short Mohammad Sami delivery.

He walked off to a standing ovation but spent the remainder of the game as a spectator with an ice-pack on his shoulder.

James Foster (56) and Ravi Bopara (46) provided Flower with his chief support.

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