Pakistan vs England LIVE: T20 Cricket World Cup final result and reaction as Ben Stokes stars
England beat Pakistan by five wickets to the win the World Cup as Stokes was the hero once again
Ben Stokes was the hero with the bat once again as England successfully chased down Pakistan to win the T20 World Cup in a thrilling final in Melbourne.
Stokes produced his highest T20 score - finishing with an unbeaten 52 runs off 49 balls for his first half-century in the format - as the all-rounder produced another sublime performance on the biggest stage.
England were set 138 to win following wonderful bowling from Sam Curran and Adil Rashid and looked odds-on to add to complete the set of World Cups following their victory in the 50-over format in 2019.
But Pakistan responded to slow England’s momentum, removing Alex Hales early and then following with the wicket of Jos Buttler to set up a nervy finish at the MCG.
Stokes, as well as Moeen Ali, stood up to the challenge and turned the tide following a sensational 17th over that produced 16 runs as England swung for the boundaries. Ali was dismissed to leave England needing six runs off their final 10 balls - but Stokes completed his first T20 half-century to win the World Cup for England.
Follow all the reaction from the T20 World Cup final:
Ben Stokes cut in odds for BBC Sports Personality of the Year
BBC Sports Personality of the Year
Beth Mead 1/5
Harry Kane 12/1
Ronnie O’Sullivan 18/1
Ben Stokes 20/1 (was 66/1)
Jos Buttler 25/1 (was 50/1)
Joe Root 25/1
Tyson Fury 33/1
Jake Jarman 33/1
Odds via Betfair
Sam Curran given T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament
Curran: “I don’t think I should be getting this, Stokesy should after producing a half century in a final!
“Big square boundary, my into the wicket bowling could be good. It offered the seamers something, it was nipping around everywhere. A challenging chase.
“The way I bowl, I go into the wicket with my slower balls, keep the batters guessing.
“He’s somebody I always look up to, people question him, but there’s no questioning him, he’s unbelievable, He’s the man.
“I’m lost for words, amazing, we’ll enjoy this, thank you to the amazing fans.”
England beat Pakistan by five wickets to win T20 World Cup
England beat Pakistan by five wickets to win T20 World Cup
“I didn’t think it would come again, this is the icing on the cake,” says Hales.
“I did take my time, they’re a high quality bowling attack. I enjoyed this tournament and played well in some big games.
“It was a decent ball yes.”
England beat Pakistan by five wickets to win T20 World Cup
Moeen: “To do it against an amazing Pakistan side, I thought it was about keeping my intent. If I get out, I get out.
“I put on a crucial partnership to win the game.”
England beat Pakistan by five wickets to win T20 World Cup
England beat Pakistan by five wickets to win T20 World Cup as Stokes completes his half-century.
Stokes: “In finals, chasing first, you forget the hard work, how we bowled, Rashid, Curran, that's what won us the game. To restrict them to 130 or whatever, the bowlers must take credit.
“The best teams move onto the next challenge, pretty good evening. Representing your country, World Cups, it’s amazing.”
England 137/4 (18.4) Stokes 51(47), Livingstone 1 (2) - Target: 138
FOUR! Ben Stokes has 50, one to win, here we go...
England 131/4 (18.1) Stokes 47 (47), Moeen 19 (11) - Target: 138
Here we go then, two overs left, England need seven to win!
A sneaky single shows Stokes still has life in the legs yet.
GONE! Moeen clean bowled by Mohammad Wasim, Pakistan fighting to the end.
England 130/4 (17.3) - Target: 138
Moeen steers one for a single, England looking to get this over in a hurry and avoid that final over where Pakistan can be dangerous.
Nearly a run-out, then an overthrow, Stokes asked by Moeen if he wants one more? No chance, he’s knackered.
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