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 24-3 (5), Masood 1, Iftikhar 2, Wood 2-8 (2) Pakistan require 222 runs to win
Pakistan now have two new batters at the crease. Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed have to deal with a rapid and confident Mark Wood.
It’s not easy and it’s not pleasant. Both players get off the mark with singles before Iftikhar pulls one away for another one.
Three runs and a wicket from the over.
Wicket! Haider Ali 3 (5) c. Rashid b. Wood, Pakistan 21-3 (4.1)
Two in two balls! Mark Wood sends down a sharp, short ball that Haider Ali tries to hook away. It’s onto him in a flash though and he can only knock the ball over to Adil Rashid who clings on to a fine catch.
Wood has another wicket!
Wicket! Mohammad Rizwan 8 (14) b. Topley, Pakistan 21-2 (4)
Bowled him! Rizwan attempts another wild swipe across the line but he misses the ball this time and Reece Topley hits! The ball clips the top of leg stump and both Pakistan openers are out!
Pakistan 21-1 (3.4), Rizwan 8, Haider 3, Topley 0-7 (1.4), Pakistan require 222 runs to win
Topley continues for England with the two Pakistan batters milking him away for a single apiece. The delivery that got Babar Azam out was the quickest of the series so far. It’s good to have Mark Wood back.
A pull shot from Rizwan bounces just short of mid-on. He’s trying to up the run-rate for Pakistan but it’s not happening for him yet.
Pakistan 18-1 (3), Rizwan 7, Haider 1, Wood 1-5 (1), Pakistan require 222 runs to win
Haider Ali is the new batter for the hosts and gets off the mark with a single off his second ball.
That’s a great over from Mark Wood, five runs off it and the wicket of Babar Azam!
Wicket! Babar Azam c. Topley b. Wood, Pakistan 17-1 (2.4)
Got him! Pakistan’s captain has to go. He swipes at a cut but the extra pace of Mark Wood catches the edge of Babar Azam’s bat and the ball flies down to Reece Topley at third man who clings onto the catch!
Pakistan 17-0 (2.3), Rizwan 7, Babar 8, Wood 0-4 (0.3), Pakistan require 222 runs to win
Here comes Mark Wood. He is one of England’s quickest bowlers and can send the ball down at over 90mph. His first ball pins Rizwan on the pads but the openers sprint through for one.
Babar then stands up and drives Wood past mid-off for four runs!
Pakistan 12-0 (2), Rizwan 7, Babar 4, Topley 0-4 (1), Pakistan require 222 runs to win
Reece Topley is playing his first game of the series for England tonight. He’s a taller bowler and should get a touch of extra bounce.
Rizwan knocks back two dot balls before nudging a slower delivery away for one. Babar collects two with a back foot punch through cover.
Dropped! Pakistan’s captain tries to turn the ball into the legside and gets an outside edge on the ball. It chips up to extra-cover but Dawid Malan spills it at full stretch!
Pakistan 6-0 (1), Rizwan 5, Babar 1, Dawson 0-7 (1), Pakistan require 222 runs to win
A couple of singles get both batters off the mark before a slightly shorter pitched delivery is pulled away for four by Rizwan!
He ends the over with another single, seven runs come from it.
Pakistan 0-0 (0), Rizwan 0, Babar 0, Dawson 0-0 (0), Pakistan require 222 runs to win
Liam Dawson will open up for England with yesterday’s heroes, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, striding out for the hosts.
How will this innings go? Pakistan will either get close or England should bowl them out cheaply. That’s the way things high chases usually go.
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