Another Solid Start By England
Phil Salt and Alex Hales started from where they had left on Friday. Pakistani bowlers were found short of answers against their counter-attacking approach. After 3 overs, England was placed handsomely at 35 for 0.
But, Pakistani bowlers didn’t go with the flow this time as Rauf conceded just 4 runs in the 4th over. Hasnain caught Hales dead in front of the stumps to bring his team back in the contest. Salt was run out in the same over, and both the openers were back in the dugout.
The Scoring Rate Kept Going Up Despite the Wickets Falling
Malan and Duckett didn’t let the scoring rate drop and kept fetching the odd boundary. The spinners failed to stem the flow of runs as Shadab was hit for 20 runs in the 9th over.
Finally, Pakistan sighed relief when Duckett was run out courtesy of some lightning-quick glove work from Rizwan. England were looking in complete control at 102 for 3 on the halfway point.
England Go Big In the Slog Overs
Brook came out to bat and wasted no time going after the bowling. He and Malan took England to 149 with 5 overs still left in the innings. Babar dropped a sitter to give Brook a reprieve in the 16th over. That dropped catch cost Pakistan a lot as Brook and Malan kept toying with the bowling.
Malan’s 78* off 47 and Brook’s 46* off 29 took England to a whopping total of 209 for 3. If Rauf hadn’t bowled an outstanding spell conceding just 24 runs in his 4 overs (including the two dropped catches), Pakistan might have been chasing something in excess of 230.
Pakistan Were Rocked Early In the Chase
Pakistan’s hopes of reaching this massive target were struck hard in the first 8 balls of the 2nd innings. Babar chipped a slow delivery straight to Brook at short cover in the opening over. Then, Rizwan was castled by a beauty from Topley in the next over, leaving Pakistan’s middle order staring at a tall task.
Iftikhar played a few shots before getting caught behind for 19. Pakistan scraped through to 37 for 3 in 6 overs, with the required rate going over 12 an over.
English Bowlers Secure A Comprehensive Series Win
Khushdil was the next man to come out to bat, and he struggled to get going against the spinners. Shan also couldn’t get big shots away as the required run rate increased to over 14 runs an over. The match and series seemed to slip away from their reach, with 142 runs needed in the last 60 balls.
The next 6 overs just confirmed that Pakistan was out of the game. They could manage only 39 runs off those 36 deliveries, leaving them with 103 to get in the last 4 overs.
Since then, nothing much happened as Pakistan lost by a massive margin of 67 runs. It was Pakistan’s 4th biggest loss while chasing. Shan Masood was the only highlight of the chase; he scored 56 runs off 43 balls.
What’s Coming Up Next?
The series has ended with England taking the honours. Now, their next assessment is against Australia. They will play 3 T20Is there before the World Cup.
Whereas, Pakistan will travel to New Zealand for the triangular series against the home team and Bangladesh.
