Cricket: 3 runs shy off the worst bowling ever

Pakistan's Wahab Riaz reacts after a no ball is called on his wicket of England's Jos Buttler. Photo / AP

Pakistan have just climbed to the number one test ranking, but things are not going so well in the one day department against England.

Wahab Riaz almost set a record no bowler wants as the home side scored a record 444 for three at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

The left arm quick bowler conceded 110 runs from his 10 overs, just three shy of the record of 113 conceded by Aussie Mick Lewis against South Africa in Johannesburg 10 years ago.

This, as it turned out, was the seventh and final one day match Lewis played for Australia. As with Lewis, Riaz also failed to take a wicket.

Alex Hales, who hit England's highest ever one day score of 171 off 122 balls, plundered Pakistan's bowling on his home ground and took a particular liking to Riaz with 44 from 26 deliveries. Riaz also managed to take wickets from two no-balls, including Hales when he was on a mere 72.

It was a horrible day for Pakistan cricket, and one Twitter wag noted that they needed 245 to avoid the follow on in the one day game. The previous one day record was 443 for nine, posted by Sri Lanka against the mighty Netherlands in 2006. The highest total between two test nations was South Africa's 439 for two against the West Indies in Johannesburg last year.