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:
England 110/4 (16.0) - Target: 138
Afridi is back! Is he fresh enough? He looks loose, can he spark another twist in this game?
41 from 30 then, Moeen facing the dangerous Afridi, but he backs off, is he hurt?
It’s all over for Afridi, he wisely backs off and leaves the game.
Stokes can’t cleanly strike Iftikhar and this could be caught? NO! It’s inches short, Stokes survives!
FOUR! Stokes bludgeons this one, he doesn’t run, he knows. HUGE.
Speaking of which, six more, my goodness, clutch from Stokes.
England 97/4 (15.0) Stokes 28 (35), Moeen 3 (4) - Target: 138
Moeen stabs one down the ground for a single, the scoreboard moving is England’s friend at this stage.
Pakistan desperate for wickets, the required run rate is 8.44 from here, and the win predictor is 66 percent in England’s favour.
Pakistan appealing for anything now, but Stokes cuts one to the boundary. Hands on heads around the ground as Pakistan feel the pain of every boundary.
England 89/4 (14.0) Stokes 21 (30), Moeen 2 (3) - Target: 138
A nice adaption from Shadab as Brook makes a move and the line is tweaked, it’s wide and Brook cannot get it all.
WICKET! Shadab tempts Brook and it's caught in the deep by Afridi, another swing in momentum.
Afridi is hurt and suffering after the fall, he departs after his catch.
Stokes should be gone, he’s out of his crease. A slip sees him fall slightly short, but Pakistan cannot make the play.
Moeen in and clubs one for a single. Some game now, tension around the MCG.
Naseem is bowling superbly, nailing his line and length. England in a bit of a hole here... No update on Shaheen yet, will he return?
England 82/3 (12.0) Stokes 18 (24), Brook 18 (20) - Target: 138
Desperate from Haris! He storms towards the ball at the boundary and puts his body on the line, he saves two runs, impressive.
Such commitment. Naseem with swing now and Stokes misses the edge, fortunately for England.
Naseem is adamant Stokes got a nick, Baba sends it upstairs... Drama?
Ultra Edge shows no contact made from Stokes’ bat, England survive! So close, but not enough, Pakistan need a spark, they so nearly got it.
England 77/3 (11.0) Stokes 17 (20), Brook 14 (16) - Target: 138
Stokes using all his experience here and gently seizing the momentum in what is a slow bleed for Pakistan as England gradually move closer to 138.
Just 59 needed from 54 balls.
England 77/3 (10.0) Stokes 17 (16), Brook 14 (16) - Target: 138
England 77/3 (10.0) Stokes 17 (16), Brook 14 (16) - Target: 138
Full toss and that’s a beauty from Stokes, who chuckles after steering Wasim to the boundary.
Brook then dashes half-way down the wicket but Stokes is unmoved, he turns and has to lunge to avoid the runout.
We now have a live game after a brief scare with the weather.
It’s 61 from 60 for victory for England.
England 72/3 (9.3) - Target: 138
Shadab with a bit more pace and straighter, but he’s unlucky here.
A sweep gone wrong sees Stokes deflect one past Rizwan to the boundary.
That’s a controlled slash from Brook to cover for a single.
Then Stokes picks up one off the toes, a misfield will double his return too. More control now for England in the innnings.
England 58/3 (8.0) Stokes 5 (10), Brook 10 (10) - Target: 138
That’s a nasty one for Brook, it catches him on the elbow, we’ll have a medical break as he receives some attention.
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