England take on Pakistan in a four-match Twenty20 International series to help them build towards the World Cup. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan started strongly, until Jofra Archer caught Azam with the final ball of the powerplay. That was when England gained control.
FOUR! Reece Topley stays within his length this time and Iftikhar Ahmed leans in for a boundary by driving hard through cover for four runs.
1. Jos Buttler
Buttler makes no secret of what he wants to achieve on the pitch, being one of the brightest stars in limited-overs cricket and will be expected to lead England towards another World Cup victory.
At The Oval against Pakistan, Buttler and Salt shared an aggressive opening stand before England put Pakistani bowlers under immense pressure with its relentless attack. Shaheen Amir and Naseem Shah may have been unlucky to concede 18 runs without reward in their first two overs but afterwards it was all England who triumphed decisively.
Wood, nursing a knee issue, and Archer both found early swing but it was Buttler who stole the show. Easing his first ball through covers for four runs and then effortlessly pulling one into the boundary off Haris Rauf’s hand at backward point, Buttler made himself unmissable with two quick boundaries of his own in consecutive deliveries from Lancashire’s Buttler.
2. Jonny Bairstow
Bairstow was England’s go-to batsman during the 2022 summer, winning both the Professional Cricketers’ Association Men’s Player of the Year award and Cricket Writers’ Club Bob Willis Trophy. His three and four centuries – highlighted by an innings of 114 against India at Lord’s – stood as highlights of World Cup campaign.
Yorkshireman James Vince continued his impressive maturity against Pakistan, leading England’s batsmen with a 59-ball 36 to take second place in Group Stage. Joe Root contributed with 132 runs as England posted 337-9 and reached second-place.
Phil Salt once more takes another fine running catch for an incredible seventeenth wicket of the match! As David Topley slanted one back into Shaheen Afridi on middle and leg, Shaheen attempted to hit across but failed, sending it sailing towards deep midwicket where Phil Salt took yet another great catch and secured another win for them both.
3. Fakhar Zaman
Fakhar Zaman saved Pakistan with a powerful and precise innings that brought in 50 runs after reaching midway point – hitting five sixes off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and one off Adil Rashid to bring up his second fifty of the match.
He then hit two straight fours off Reece Topley, smashing an easy short delivery past Moeen Ali at first slip. Later he reached 3,000 T20I runs but had the opportunity to surpass them but hit into the turf instead and was bowled for 45.
Harry Brook’s excellent diving catch at long-on saw Babar Azam succumb in the next over, having shared in an excellent 59-run partnership that allowed Pakistan to keep their required rate under control throughout much of their chase.
4. Reece Topley
England showed some signs of weakness in their middle order but have generally performed admirably in their World Cup preparations with an emphatic victory against Pakistan on Tuesday night. There was great bowling from Jofra Archer and Reece Topley – each picked up three wickets as Pakistan crumbled.
Topley burst onto the scene in 2022 after an outstanding ODI series against India, but his debut ended prematurely due to breaking a finger fielding that tournament. As it healed he decided instead to stay in California rather than return home for further season participation.
Since his return, he is trying to make amends for an underwhelming ODI World Cup last autumn. This short series against Pakistan should give him the chance to rediscover his form and get back on the winning path.
5. Moeen Ali
Moeen Ali may have struggled in England’s opening Test against India, but he emerged as one of its key performers during the second. He made 117 in England’s first innings before taking 2-85 from Indian bowlers during India’s reply.
At Kia Oval, he proved even more instrumental, scoring an unbeaten 67 from No. 7 to help England declare on 445 for 6 and put Pakistan under pressure. Though this wasn’t enough to prevent their nine-wicket loss, it was nevertheless an outstanding individual performance from him.
Reece Topley also displayed his versatility in the second T20I by bowling an accurate final over. Reece Topley slung this back into Shaheen Afridi on a length and on middle and leg, on which Shaheen Afridi back away and hit it into long midwicket where Phil Salt made a darting dash across to catch it near his chest – just in time for Pakistan needing 26 from six balls! Topley finished with 3-39.
6. Liam Livingstone
After an early wobble, England’s middle order found their groove. Jos Buttler connected with Shadab Khan for consecutive sixes before Harry Brook drilled Shadab towards cow corner for yet another six.
Livingstone is a formidable big-hitting batsman who also has part time spin abilities and impressive fielding ability, earning himself promotion into England’s squad in December for their landmark three-Test tour against Pakistan.England have experienced an upturn since their disappointing 50-over World Cup defence last year, under Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes. Additionally, their bowling lineup looks formidable for this summer’s tournament in America; Jofra Archer made his return and this game at Headingley provided both teams with excellent preparation. To know more about this and want to update yourself time to time just follow us: https://sportsadda.co.uk/