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:
Mark Wood returns!
Mark Wood is back.
This is his first first international appearance since the first Test against West Indies in Antigua back in March. That same month he had an operation on his right elbow that required further surgery in July ruling him out for the rest of the English summer.
The 32-year-old returns to the England team this evening and will look to prove his fitness ahead of the World Cup next month. He’ll be a fantastic assest for England if he is fully fit.
Babar on why he decided to bowl first
Pakistan captain Babar Azam, won the toss in Karachi and decided to bowl first. He explained why saying: “We’re bowling first and the pitch looks good.
“My body feels good but it is not easy playing back-to-back matches. We had some time to rest before and I utilised that.”
Will Jacks makes debut
Surrey’s Will Jacks makes his debut for England tonight with the batting all-rounder being presented with his first cap by county team mate Sam Curran.
The 23-year-old had an impressive summer and shone for Oval Invincibles in The Hundred. He comes into the team to replace Alex Hales.
Pre-match thoughts of Moeen Ali
England captain Moeen Ali spoke at the toss about what he expects from today’s game saying: “We probably would have bowled first as well but we’re not too disappointed.
“We obviously have to score big against these guys on this surface, and hopefully set them a score they can’t get then try and get some wickets to win the game.
“We’re actually playing good cricket. It is only the last 10 overs yesterday that we weren’t too good but we weren’t too bad either, they played exceptionally well. You have to get wickets to win those kind of games and we didn’t.”
England lose the toss and will bat first
Babar Azam has won the toss in Karachi and decided to bowl first. Moeen Ali once again captain’s England and says he would have wanted to bowl first as well.
Will Jacks comes into the team in place of Alex Hales, Mark Wood and Reece Topley also come in to replace Luke Wood and David Willey.
Tammy Beaumont excited by Lord’s return after ‘far too long’ away
Tammy Beaumont believes the five years since England last played a one-day international at Lord’s has been “far too long” as they prepare to return to the Home of Cricket for the final match of the series against India.
England last played at Lord’s for the historic World Cup final in 2017 and India were the opponents when they lifted the trophy in front of a sell-out crowd.
In 2021 England did not play at a single Test venue, but this year they have already played at Durham’s Seat Unique Riverside and will play their final match of their summer at Lord’s on Saturday.
Beaumont believes some of those who featured alongside her in the World Cup final have missed out on their chance to return to Lord’s.
Tammy Beaumont excited by Lord’s return after ‘far too long’ away
England vs India: Tammy Beaumont excited by Lord’s return after ‘far too long’ away
A crucial toss to win?
Moeen Ali has won the toss twice in both matches of this series. He decided to bowl first in the opening game and England managed to knock off 158 with relative ease. In the second game he decided to bat first and despite putting 199 on the board Pakistan chased it down with three balls remaining.
Bowling first seems to be the key factor of these games in Karachi which means the toss today could be a vital one to win. The old adage is usually ‘win the toss, bat first’ but in Asia that isn’t the way to go in T20s.
Nine times out of 10 the team who bats second wins the game. It won’t be surprising if that happens again tonight.
Moeen takes responsibility for defeat
England captain Moeen Ali admitted he took a gamble in yesterday’s match when he decided to bowl himself in the 13th over despite the pre-match planning saying right-handed batters enjoying attacking off-spin bowlers.
“The momentum changed when I bowled my over. That really gave them the belief and after that they were almost unstoppable,” he said after the home side made it 1-1 after two games.
“I felt like it was under control for most of it. I genuinely feel my over lost the game for us. That was a gamble on my part. I went to try and get a wicket, almost buy a wicket. Obviously it didn’t work and that’s when Pakistan really won the game.”
Moeen’s over went for 21 runs, including three sixes, that put Pakistan ahead of the required run-rate. Despite Moeen’s feelings on the matter Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam were an unstoppable force yesterday with only Liam Dawson 0-26 (4) and Sam Curran 0-29 (4) coming out of the game with anything like respectable bowling figures for England.
Andrew Strauss plans for cricket reform labelled ‘unworkable’ by county chiefs
County chiefs have criticised Sir Andrew Strauss’ proposed reforms for domestic cricket despite admitting change is needed.
The former Test captain has spent the last six months overseeing a high performance review for the England and Wales Cricket Board, launched in the aftermath of last winter’s Ashes thrashing, and has presented 17 recommendations.
Fifteen of those fall under the remit of the ECB and already have the required backing, but two key proposals involving a wholesale reorganisation of the county calendar need the support of at least 12 of the 18 first-class counties to go ahead.
But Sussex chair Jon Filby told the BBC: “Strauss’ high performance review is equally unworkable as far as county cricket is concerned.”
Andrew Strauss plans for cricket reform labelled ‘unworkable’ by county chiefs
The former Test captain has spent the last six months overseeing a high performance review for the ECB.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan masterclass stuns England in 10-wicket Pakistan win
England had no answer for a majestic 200-run partnership between centurion Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan levelled their Twenty20 series 1-1 with a 10-wicket win in Karachi.
The tourists were more than happy after posting 199 for five, with captain Moeen Ali to the fore with 55 not out in 23 deliveries, but were comprehensively outclassed by the home side’s openers.
Babar made a mockery of questions over his scoring rate at the Asia Cup, hammering 110 not out 66 balls, and Rizwan smashed an unbeaten 88 as they shared nine sixes and 16 fours.
England will be concerned about the lack of incision from their bowling attack, but the two chances they did generate against Rizwan were squandered as Alex Hales dropped him on 23 and Phil Salt spurned a stumping on 32.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan masterclass stuns England in 10-wicket Pakistan win
Captain Moeen Ali scored 55 not out in 23 deliveries, but England were comprehensively outclassed by the home side’s openers
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