Buttler's record-breaking ton demolishes Pakistan

jos Buttler struck the quickest century in England's ODI history, from just 46 balls, to help his side to a record-breaking total of 355 for 5 in Dubai.

Buttler's innings included eight sixes - another record for an England player in ODI cricket - as England posted their highest total away form home. Only four times have they scored more.

It leaves Pakistan, already 2-1 down in the series, requiring a record-breaking total of their own if they are not to succumb to a third straight ODI series defeat against England. Only six times in their ODI history have they successfully chased a total of 300 or more - and they have never successfully chased a target over 330.

If Pakistan's bowling looked ragged in the face of Buttler's assault - and it did - they probably deserve some sympathy. Promoted to No. 4 after Jason Roy, who scored a maiden ODI century of his own, had established an imposing platform, Buttler was given every freedom to unleash his spectacular talents upon this game.

Having hit the bowlers of their length with a series of scoops, reverse-sweeps and bottom-handed drives which rendered even yorkers a feeding opportunity, Buttler then thrashed the follow-up collection of long-hops, full-tosses and slower balls. It was an innings of which AB de Villiers or Viv Richards would have been proud. And there really is no higher praise than that.

Buttler, who had already recorded the two fastest ODI centuries for England (61 balls against New Zealand and 66 against Sri Lanka) finished unbeaten on 116 from 52 balls with 18 of them having been hit for four or six. There have been only six quicker ODI centuries and it helped England plunder 145 off the final 11 overs.

Buttler's brilliance might have overshadowed the contribution of Roy, but it was England's strong start - they were 194 for 2 with almost 15 overs left when he wandered to the middle - that allowed him the freedom to attack.

Batting was, initially at least, far from straightforward for Roy. Twice in the opening overs - once against Anwar Ali and once against Wahab Riaz - he enjoyed some fortune when, pushing at the ball away from his body, inside edges flew perilously close to his stumps and down to the fine leg boundary for four.

But as he settled, he produced some sparkling strokes. A checked straight drive off Wahab was a thing of beauty, while a flick through midwicket off Mohammad Irfan was gloriously timed. While he didn't completely time one straight drive off Shoaib Malik, such was his commitment to the stroke that the ball still carried beyond the long-off boundary.

He gave one chance, on 77, when an outside edge off Yasir Shah was dropped at slip - Mohammad Rizwan had little chance after the ball deflected off the keeper's gloves - but this was an innings which allied power and placement; restraint and aggression. It was an admirably mature innings from a man who is looking more at home at this level by the game.

Roy gained support from Alex Hales, with whom he posed 54 in 11 overs for the first wicket, and then 140 for the second with Joe Root, who placed the ball with precision and rotated the strike expertly. And, when the opportunity arose, he attacked with style: he brought up his 50 with a gorgeous lofted drive off Malik, having already slog-swept six off Yasir.

But it was all but a prelude for Buttler. Having recovered some confidence after his unbeaten 49 in Sharjah - how important might the missed stumping before he had scored in that game prove to be? - he gave himself a little time to get used to the conditions, scoring just 5 from his first nine balls, before going on the attack.

One good length Irfan delivery from well outside off stump was flicked for four, before Buttler, adapting midway through a shot, decided to scoop the next ball over third man, not fine leg as he had initially planned. When Wahab went full, he was laced through the covers and when he dropped short he was pulled through midwicket. One Anwar Ali over was thrashed for 22 as Buttler followed a perfectly timed reverse sweep for four with two thunderous pulls for six. It was murderous, merciless stuff. The last 33 balls of his innings produced 99 runs.

Pakistan had made two changes to the side that performed so poorly in Sharjah. Ahmed Shehzad was restored to the top of the order - not before time, many would say - while Yasir had recovered from the knee injury that necessitated he miss the previous match and replaced Zafar Gohar.

While Shehzad certainly improved the fielding - he produced some excellent saves at point - his real contribution had to be with the bat. He has surely been given too much to do