England took a 1-0 lead in the four-match T20I series against Pakistan after a comprehensive performance saw them secure a 23-run victory in Birmingham. This win came after the first match was washed out in Leeds earlier this week. England’s captain, Jos Buttler, headlined the batting effort with a brilliant 84, leading his team to a total of 183/7. Despite a strong start from Pakistan, a disciplined bowling performance from England ensured that the visitors were bowled out for 160 in 19.2 overs.
After being put into bat, England’s openers started cautiously but soon found their rhythm. Shaheen Afridi’s third over went for three boundaries, forcing the pacer out of the attack. Imad Wasim, however, struck with his very first ball, dismissing Phil Salt for 13. Will Jacks then joined Buttler and the pair added a crucial 71 runs for the second wicket. Jacks took 17 runs off a Haris Rauf over, helping England to 53/1 at the end of the powerplay.
Buttler switched gears post powerplay, attacking Shadab Khan with a flurry of boundaries to reach his half-century. England looked set for a big total at 96/1 at the halfway mark. However, Rauf’s return to the attack saw Jacks dismissed first ball, slowing England’s momentum. Despite Buttler’s continued aggression, Pakistan clawed back with quick wickets. Afridi triggered a mini-collapse in the death overs, dismissing Buttler and another batter in quick succession. England could only add 39 runs in the final five overs, finishing at 183/7, with Jofra Archer adding some crucial runs in the last over.
Pakistan’s chase started poorly, with Moeen Ali dismissing the in-form Mohammad Rizwan for a duck in the first over. Saim Ayub was caught at deep backward square off Reece Topley soon after, leaving Pakistan struggling at 15/2. Fakhar Zaman then launched a counterattack, hitting boundaries off Moeen and Archer to bring up a half-century stand with Babar Azam. However, once the fielding restrictions were lifted, Moeen struck again, trapping Babar LBW for 32.
Pakistan’s middle order faltered despite Zaman’s aggressive approach. Adil Rashid dismissed Shadab Khan and Archer removed Azam Khan to leave Pakistan in trouble. Zaman’s valiant effort ended on 45 when he was caught at long-on off Liam Livingstone. Imad Wasim and Iftikhar Ahmed provided some late resistance with a flurry of boundaries, but Topley and Archer ensured there was no comeback, cleaning up the tail to bowl Pakistan out for 160.
Brief Scores:
- England: 183/7 in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 84, Will Jacks 37; Shaheen Afridi 3-36, Imad Wasim 2-19)
- Pakistan: 160 all out in 19.2 overs (Fakhar Zaman 45, Babar Azam 32; Moeen Ali 2-26, Reece Topley 3-41, Jofra Archer 2-28)
Result: England won by 23 runs
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