Pakistan Vs England T20 Series
2nd Match at Old Trafford Manchester played on August 30
England 199/5 in 19.1 Overs (Eoin Morgan 65, David Malan 54*, Jonny Bairstow 44, Shadab Khan 3/34) Beat Pakistan 195/4 (Mohammad Hafiz 69, Babar Azam 56, Fakhar Zaman 36, Adil Rashid 2/32) by 5 wickets.
Player Of The Match: Eoin Morgan.
On an easy paced surface ideal for T20 disco brand cricket Morgan Malan tidal surge led England cruising past Pakistan challenging total of 195/4 scoring 199/5 with 5 balls to spare.
Majestic Morgan struck 6 fours and 4 sixes in his 33 balls 66, while equally aggressive Malan remained not out scoring 54 in 36 deliveries with 6 fours and a six. Their 3rd wicket partnership of 112 in 9.2 overs made Pakistan target looked ordinary after their openers Banton and Bairstow set the foundation with a solid opening partnership of 66 in 6.2 overs. Shadab stuck double blow in his very first over and with a little bit of luck could also have removed Morgan on the first ball. But that did not happen. Pakistan bowled poorly under pressure. England 1-0 up in the series will not loose it at least. First match was rained out. Pakistan can only hope of winning the third and squaring the series 1-1.
Earlier put into bat first Pakistan did reasonably well scoring 195/5 in their allotted overs. Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azom were glittering in their opening partnership of 72 in 8.3 overs when Fakhar was priced out by Adel Rashid. Hafiz joining Babar was gelling well. This pair could bat England out of the match. Babar was playing so well. But Adel Rashid removing Babar at 56 put paid to a blooming innings. However Hafiz went on. His 69 let Pakistan posting a challenging score of 195/4 in allotted overs. None else could contribute. Given the state of the wicket Pakistan total looked 20 runs too less.
Defending the target required Pakistan taking early wickets and bowling steadily. On this wicket Pakistan should definitely appeared with Wahab Riaz and Fahim Ashraf. Amir is still finding his way after a long lay off and Shahin must be wearing a bit after too much cricket recently. When English batsmen targeted them they did not have plan B. Moreover, Amir got injured. Haris Rauf although got two wickets but still more experienced bowler was required against quality English batting. Shadab coming to the attack struck double blow. But with little support from the other end he could not win the match for Pakistan. Shadab was the only bowler who impressed with 3/34.
One of the aspects of the match is that Babar said “I learned a lot from this defeat.” Hope Pakistan come better prepared and better planned in the last match.
BDST: 1200 HRS, AUG 31, 2020
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