RAWALPINDI, Nov 6: Pakistan Army on Tuesday hosted a successful one-day match against British Army to raise hopes that Pakistan is a safe country for hosting international sports teams.

The British Army though lost their opening 40-over one-day cricket match against their Pakistani counterparts by 125 runs, the match was watched by a number of British High Commission officials and the families of the Pakistan Army officials here at the Army Cricket Ground.

According to Brig Iqtadar Naseer, the British Army had previously featured in a cricket match at this historic ground way back in 1939.

Pakistan Army posted a mammoth 323-5 in their 40 overs after skipper Babar Nawaz opted to bat first at the toss. Together with fellow opener Mir Azam, Babar shared a splendid partnership of 164.

Mir Azam struck 12 boundaries and one huge six in scoring 88 from 74 balls. Babar, on the other hand, was the top-scorer with 91 off 93 balls while striking 10 fours and a six.

After the openers departed, Sanaullah kept the momentum going for the hosts by blasting a quickfire 62 off only 38 deliveries.

Brannon Varey was the pick of British Army bowlers with figures of three for 52, while Jonathan Boynton and skipper Jacques Prinsloo took one wicket each for 21 and 52 runs, respectively.

British Army, in reply, lost wickets at regular intervals, mainly against the bowling of Moin Sabir who returned magnificent analysis of five wickets for 23 runs to claim the Man-of-the-Match award.

Daniel Webb played a fighting hand for the visitors with 60, embedded with eight hits to the fence. Sherwin Govender chipped in with 34, which included seven boundaries as British Army were dismissed for 198 in 33.4 overs.

Earlier, in the Twenty20 match on Sunday, Pakistan Army ran out comfortable winners by nine wickets after British Army had posted a meagre 85 all out.