Home Sports England beat Pakistan by 23 runs to lead T20 series with 1-0

England beat Pakistan by 23 runs to lead T20 series with 1-0

by Web Desk (Lahore)
May 25, 2024
in Sports

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England on Saturday stunned Pakistan by 23 runs in the second Twenty20 international of four-match series, taking a 1-0 lead.

Babar Azam and squad were bowled out for 160 while chasing an 184-run target. This is England’s eighth win in the last 11 T20Is against Asian side. Chasing 184, Pakistan’s batting lineup collapsed, managing only 160 in 19.2 overs despite a brisk 45 from Fakhar Zaman.

The visitors had a poor start, losing both openers Mohammad Rizwan (0) and Saim Ayub (2) cheaply within the first four overs, leaving them at 14/2.

Fakhar Zaman then joined Babar Azam, forming a counterattacking partnership. Their 53-run stand was dominated by Fakhar, who scored freely, while Babar played a supporting role until he was dismissed by Moeen Ali in the ninth over. Babar contributed 32 off 26 balls, including four boundaries.

The middle order struggled, with Shadab Khan (3) and Azam Khan (11) falling cheaply. Pakistan’s hopes took a further hit when Fakhar Zaman was caught off Liam Livingstone after a fighting knock. He top-scored with 45 off 21 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes.

Imad Wasim and Iftikhar Ahmed then took command and added crucial 40-run partnership for the seventh wicket. The duo attacked Reece Topley, scoring 16 runs off the first five balls of his third over. However, Topley struck back on the last ball, dismissing Iftikhar for 23 off 17 balls.

Imad Wasim followed soon after, falling to Jofra Archer for 22 off 13 balls. The tailenders failed to provide any resistance, and Pakistan was bowled out for 160.

Reece Topley led England’s bowling with three wickets, while Jofra Archer and Moeen Ali took two each. Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, and Liam Livingstone each chipped in with a wicket.

Confident England set a target of 184 runs, with captain Jos Buttler played a superb innings of 84 runs off 51 balls, courtesy of eight boundaries and three maximums. The fiery innings saw Buttler reach 3,000 runs in T20I cricket, making him the ninth player to achieve this milestone.

Babar Azam led team made an early breakthrough when Imad Wasim dismissed Phil Salt in fourth over, but England recovered with 71-run partnership between Buttler and Will Jacks.

Will Jacks scored 37 off 23 balls, while Jonny Bairstow added 21 runs. However, other English batsmen like Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, and Liam Livingstone struggled to score. Jofra Archer’s 12 runs in the final over helped England finish at 183/7.

Shaheen Afridi took three wickets for Pakistan, while Imad and Haris Rauf claimed two each. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Amir were unable to take any wickets.

Earlier, Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, won the toss and chose to bowl first. Jofra Archer returned to England’s playing XI after a year, while Haris Rauf made his comeback for Pakistan after three months.

Pakistan on Saturday won the toss and decided to field first against England in second T20 at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham.

Green Shirts are all set to faceoff Three Lions ahead of T20 World Cup 2024. This series offers both teams a chance to finalize their combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, set to take place in the United States and West Indies from June 1.

England and Pakistan last met in the T20 World Cup 2022 final at Melbourne Cricket Ground, where England emerged victorious after an extraordinary match. As England begins their title defense, Pakistan aims to clinch the title for the first time since 2009.

Men in Green recently played two T20I series, against New Zealand at home and Ireland away. They drew the first and won the second, but issues in their squad were apparent as they failed to beat a relatively weaker New Zealand side despite having a full-strength team.

They also lost a match to Ireland despite fielding a strong team. With players like Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, Usman Khan, and Iftikhar Ahmed, who can change the game in a few balls, Pakistan needs to sort out their combination.

Shaheen Afridi’s recent form has been a significant boost for Pakistan. The star fast bowler, who was dismissed as Pakistan’s T20I captain after a brief stint, regained his confidence with impressive performances against New Zealand and Ireland.

On the other hand, key England players such as Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, and Moeen Ali are returning from IPL 2024, where they delivered outstanding individual performances. Salt’s impact as an opener and Jonny Bairstow’s return will make it interesting to see how England arranges their playing XI. They have plenty of options, which is a good problem to have.

Pacer Jofra Archer is making a comeback after 14 months, and this series will be a crucial test for him to secure a regular spot ahead of the World Cup.

Pakistan vs England Squads

Pakistan: Usman Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir

England: Jos Buttler (c), Phil Salt (wk), Will Jacks, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Reece Topley