Pakistan v England LIVE: T20 cricket result and scorecard as England cruise to 63-run win
England’s seven-match series is level at 1-1 following Pakistan’s batting masterclass in second T20
England suffered a bruising defeat in the second T20I of this seven-match series as an unbelievable batting display from Pakistan openers, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, saw them knock off 200 runs without losing a wicket. Luckily for England it is a quick turnaround with the third T20 coming just a day after they slumped to defeat.
Yesterday, Moeen Ali won the toss and elected to bat first. England started slowly though there were solid contributions from Phil Salt (30), Ben Duckett (43) and Harry Brook (31) before Moeen himself (55*) ended the innings in style propelling England to 199-5 at the halfway stage.
It was a total that seemed out of reach for Pakistan who, two days previously, had only managed to score 158. With no choice but to attack to keep up with the 10 runs per over rate Rizwan and Babar got to work. They were near flawless with one chance – a dropped catch by Alex Hales – the only blemish in their partnership. Rizwan ended up with 88* and Babar (110*) scored his second T20I hundred to get Pakistan over the line at a canter. The series is now level at 1-1 and is well poised for more drama and excitement this evening.
Follow all the action from Karachi as Pakistan host England in the third T20 of the series:
Pakistan 90-4 (11.4), Masood 32, Khushdil 29, Rashid 0-23 (2.4), Pakistan require 222 runs to win
More spin from England as Rashid comes back on.
The field is well placed for the ball angled across the left-handed batters and Masood picks out the boundary rider and is limited to one.
Pakistan 86-4 (11), Masood 31, Khushdil 27, Moeen 0-22 (2), Pakistan require 222 runs to win
Moeen Ali brings himself back one. Pakistan in effect need two boundaries every over and anything less than that is a good effort from England.
Three singles bring up the 50 partnership between this pair.
Six! That was needed! Five singles come from the first five balls before Masood whacks one over cow corner for a maximum!
Pakistan 75-4 (10), Masood 24, Khushdil 24, Curran 1-20 (2) Pakistan require 222 runs to win
Pakistan have recovered slightly but they’ve still got a long way to go. Roughly 150 runs needed off the last 10 overs with only six wickets in hand. These two batters need to stay in until the end if they’ve got any hope of winning the game.
Pakistan 75-4 (10), Masood 24, Khushdil 24, Curran 1-20 (2) Pakistan require 222 runs to win
Here’s Sam Curran for another go.
He cramps Masood for room but the Pakistan batters run well between the stumps and scramble back for two as the ball rolls into the legside.
A pull shot brings one as Curran rolls his fingers over the ball to send it down slower.
Six! Khushdil Shah swivels on top of a short ball and guides it over backward square leg for a maximum. 15 runs from the over as Masood ramps Curran for four more from the last delivery.
Pakistan 60-4 (9), Masood 17, Khushdil 16, Rashid 0-20 (2) Pakistan require 222 runs to win
Shan Masood collects two before lifting Rashid over extra-cover to earn four more! That shot brings up the Pakistan 50 as well.
A full toss from Rashid then gets despatched into the stands for six! This is fine batting from Masood. 14 runs come from that over as the hosts look to get back into this game.
Pakistan 46-4 (8), Masood 4, Khushdil 15, Moeen 0-11 (1) Pakistan require 222 runs to win
Moeen Ali brings himself on now with two left-handers at the crease. The run-rate is nearly up to 5rpo and Khushdil does his best to bring it down with a glorious swipe over cover for six!
11 runs come from Moeen’s first over. 176 needed from 72 balls.
Pakistan 35-4 (7), Masood 2, Khushdil 6, Rashid 0-6 (1) Pakistan require 222 runs to win
With runs on the board Moeen Ali gives Adil Rashid a slip as the legspinner comes on to replace Mark Wood. Khushdil works him away for one to brings Shan Masood on strike but he’s a little wary with the first couple of deliveries.
A drive down the ground brings him one but England continue to strangle Pakistan, even a reverse sweep from Khashdil - that brings him four - sends the run rate even higher.
Pakistan 29-4 (6), Masood 1, Khushdil 1, Curran 1-5 (1) Pakistan require 222 runs to win
The powerplay ends with Pakistan in deep trouble. Khushdil Shah gets going off the last ball of the over but the hosts are well behind the run rate.
29 runs from the first six overs and already four wickets down.
Wicket! Iftikhar Ahmed 6 (7) c. Topley b. Curran, Pakistan 28-4 (5.3)
Gone! Curran digs one in short but it’s a slower delivery. Iftikhar attempts to go over the top once more but the lack of pace means he’s through his shot too soon and the ball loops up to Reece Topley at mid-off who takes an easy catch.
Pakistan 28-3 (5.2), Masood 1, Iftikhar 6, Curran 0-4 (0.2) Pakistan require 222 runs to win
Sam Curran replaces Reece Topley to bowl the final over of the powerplay. The run-rate is now over 13 runs per over and Iftikhar doesn’t let Curran settle. He whacks him over to the legside for four runs!
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