Jofra Archer celebrates a crucial wicket during the final T20I against Pakistan at The Oval. © Twitter (@RedKnuckLi)
In a commanding performance, England trounced Pakistan by seven wickets in the final T20I at The Oval, securing a 2-0 series win and sending a strong message ahead of the T20 World Cup. A disciplined bowling display, spearheaded by Adil Rashid, and a ruthless batting assault from openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt highlighted England’s dominance.
Match Summary
Pakistan 157 (19.5) | |
| Usman Khan 38 (21) | Liam Livingstone |
| Babar Azam 36 (22) | Adil Rashid |
| Mohammad Rizwan 23 (16) | Mark Wood |
England 158/3 (15.3) | |
| Phil Salt 45 (24) | Haris Rauf |
| Jos Buttler 39 (21) | Shadab Khan |
| Jonny Bairstow 28* (16) | Shaheen Afridi |
Toss: ENG won the toss and elected to bowl
Stadium: The Oval
Result: England won by 7 wickets & 27 balls left
Player of the Match: Adil Rashid – 2/27 (4)
Player of the Series: Jos Buttler – 123 runs
England’s Bowling Masterclass
Winning the toss under overcast skies, England elected to bowl first. Pakistan’s openers, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, began confidently, laying a solid foundation with a strong powerplay performance. Their 59 runs in the first six overs was Pakistan’s second-highest powerplay score since January. However, the real turning point came when Adil Rashid was introduced into the attack.
Rashid’s immediate impact was felt as he removed the dangerous Babar Azam off the last ball of the powerplay. The very next over, he breached Mohammad Rizwan‘s defenses, triggering a collapse. Rashid’s spell of 2-27 from four overs was instrumental in breaking Pakistan’s momentum. His sharp catch to dismiss Fakhar Zaman and the clean-up of Shadab Khan further emphasized his importance in England’s bowling strategy.
Pakistan’s Brief Resistance
Usman Khan provided a brief flicker of hope for Pakistan with a quickfire 21-ball 38. His aggressive batting ensured Pakistan crossed the 150 mark, but Liam Livingstone’s exceptional spell in the middle overs soon extinguished any hopes of a competitive total. Livingstone’s double-wicket maiden in the 15th over, which included the crucial wicket of Usman Khan, sealed Pakistan’s fate as they were bowled out for 157 in 19.5 overs.
England’s Batting Onslaught
Chasing 158, England’s openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt dismantled Pakistan’s bowling attack with aggressive intent. Mohammad Amir and Naseem Shah bore the brunt of England’s onslaught, conceding 41 runs in just three overs. England raced to 78 in the powerplay, their highest since their 2022 clash against Pakistan in Lahore.
While Haris Rauf’s fiery spell of 3-38 momentarily checked England’s progress, the target was never in doubt. Jos Buttler’s 39 off 21 balls and Phil Salt’s 45 off 24 balls laid a solid foundation. Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook then guided England home, with Brook finishing the match in style by clobbering Rauf for a six over cover, ensuring a comprehensive victory with 27 balls to spare.
Key Performances and Awards
Adil Rashid was deservedly named Player of the Match for his game-changing spell. His ability to take crucial wickets and break partnerships highlighted his value to the team. Jos Buttler, consistent throughout the series, was named Player of the Series with a total of 123 runs.
Looking Ahead
This dominant performance by England serves as a robust precursor to their T20 World Cup campaign. The team’s balance between bat and ball and the form of key players like Buttler and Rashid will be crucial as they aim to defend their title.
Pakistan’s series of defeats highlights the need for introspection, particularly in addressing middle-order fragility and fielding lapses. Azam Khan’s struggles with both bat and gloves were glaring, and a reassessment of roles may be necessary to bolster their World Cup prospects.
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