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 vs Pakistan: T20 World Cup Final
Babar and Rizwan vs Hales and Buttler, which opening partnership would you prefer?
Morgan is discussing the different styles here, with Pakistan more of a natural compliment with both players knowing their roles.
Whereas the England pair both attack and then whoever gets off first the other dovetails and compliments them with a more reserved role, spectating almost as their partner goes off.
England vs Pakistan: Both sides unchanged from semi-finals
Pakistan: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim
England: Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid
England vs Pakistan: T20 World Cup Final
Pakistan captain Babar Azam: “We would have bowled first today. We want to put runs on the board now and put pressure on England.
“We have good momentum with us and we’ll try and continue that. We’ve come back strongly and we’ll try to continue in that vein.
“We’ve got confidence and the way they team are playing is outstanding.
“History is repeating itself and we’ll try win this match and hold the World Cup.”
Shadab Khan: It’s the best bowling against the best batting
Shadab Khan: “We play a lot of good cricket, the last over we didn’t finish it but we’ve done well as a team.
“It’s brilliant, they support us in tough times too. That’s important.
“Against Netherlands also, they’re supporting us, we get motivation as they’re behind us.
“They’re world beaters, they’re world champions, a world class team, world class players.
“We have momentum, it’ll be a good game.
“Definitely, the best bowling attack against the best batting line-up, they know it.”
England win toss and will bowl
England have won the toss and will have a bowl, a crucial factor in the game?
England’s T20 World Cup final to be shown on free-to-air TV
England’s T20 World Cup final against Pakistan on Sunday will be made available on free-to-air television in the UK.
Sky Sports is the UK’s exclusive television rights holder at the tournament but the satellite broadcaster has in recent years shared some major sporting events with terrestrial channels.
And they have done so again, striking a deal with Channel 4 to make Sunday’s match available to the nation.
England’s bid to lift the trophy for a second time will be shown live on Sky Showcase and on Channel 4, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket.
England’s T20 World Cup final to be shown on free-to-air TV
England face Pakistan in the showpiece on Sunday
Babar Azam ‘very confident’ after powering Pakistan into World Cup final
Pakistan captain Babar Azam feels more assured in his batting and primed for the T20 World Cup final after returning to form in his side’s seven-wicket win over New Zealand.
Babar is widely regarded as one of the best red and white-ball batters in the world but averaged a meagre 7.8 during the Super 12s group stage of the tournament, amassing just 39 runs in 63 balls.
His lean trot might have continued when his outside edge was grazed from the first delivery he faced by New Zealand seamer Trent Boult but a diving Devon Conway grassed the opportunity.
Babar Azam ‘very confident’ after powering Pakistan into World Cup final
The Pakistan captain’s brilliant 53 was crucial in the semi-final win over New Zealand
Eoin Morgan ‘really proud’ to see England flourishing under new leadership
Eoin Morgan expressed his pride at England continuing to flourish under a new leadership that maintains the same ideals he adopted when turning the side from also-rans to world champions.
Morgan had an unenjoyable start to his reign as white-ball captain when England crashed out of the group stage of the 2015 50-over World Cup, which was a watershed moment for their ODI and T20 fortunes.
A more expansive and attack-minded philosophy was ushered in by Morgan and success swiftly followed, culminating in their historic 2019 World Cup triumph, before he retired from England duty in June.
Jos Buttler has stepped up from his position as deputy under Morgan, working alongside new head coach Matthew Mott, and England have moved to within two wins of more silverware at the T20 World Cup.
Eoin Morgan ‘really proud’ to see England flourishing under new leadership
Jos Buttler has stepped up from his position as deputy captain, working alongside new head coach Matthew Mott
‘I’ve got to enjoy it’: Alex Hales plays down England redemption story
Alex Hales poured cold water on his England return as a story of redemption, insisting he is just happy to be back in the set-up after sending them into the T20 World Cup final.
Hales’ positive recreational drugs test on the eve of the 2019 50-over World Cup campaign was one misdemeanour too many and he spent the next three-and-a-half years in the international wilderness.
But Jason Roy’s alarming dip in form in the summer and Jonny Bairstow’s freak golfing injury offered Hales a lifeline and the opening batter has grasped the unexpected opportunity with both hands.
In England’s last two must-win group games against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, Hales played important roles but truly justified his recall in Thursday’s 10-wicket semi-final thrashing of India at Adelaide.
‘I’ve got to enjoy it’: Alex Hales plays down England redemption story
The opener is back and in form after spending three-and-a-half years in the international wilderness after a positive recreational drugs test in 2019
Mark Wood struggling to be fit for England
England fast bowler Mark Wood is struggling to be fit for today’s T20 World Cup final against Pakistan in Melbourne. The 32-year-old missed Thursday’s semi-final win over India with a right hip injury.
He has been the fastest bowler in the tournament and has taken nine wickets in four matches in the Super 12 stage and is a vital part of England’s attack.
“I tried my best to make the last game but I couldn’t bowl at the intensity and speeds required to play for England,” Wood said. “I couldn’t get my hip going. Hopefully if required I can try and get it right for this game - I don’t know if I’ll be able to.
“The team did really well last game - if the captain desperately needs me and I’m fit enough then I’ll put my name in the hat like everyone else.”
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