Pakistan vs England, Pakistan tour of England, 2020

So, that's about it from this game folks. England have taken a strong, unbeatable 1-0 lead in the series. Their batting was exceptional while the bowling needs to improve as they conceded a lot in today's game. Pakistan looked very pale with the ball today, not able to complement the batting unit well and thus stare bleakly at the way the Three Lions managed to thump them. The last T20I of this series will also be played at Manchester. It is happening on Tuesday, 1st September 2020, at 2230 Local. Do join us then to see if the visitors can square the series. Until then, take care!

The English skipper and the Man of the Match, Eoin Morgan, starts by saying that this is his best form in the previous couple of years, maintaining that even the stats say so. Continues by saying that the bowlers of both the teams had a tough time and that the batters of both the outfits performed well. Adds that maybe rustiness is a factor that comes into play. Continues saying that it is tough bowling in the Powerplay and this could be improved in the next game. Lays praise on Malan and says that he has played with him from a long time and that he has contributed well here. Ends by saying that the team for the T20I World Cup is far from done as there is still a lot of time and lot of experiments possible.

First up is the Pakistani Skipper, Babar Azam. He starts off by saying that the start was a good one by them and that the batters stuck to their plans. Lavishes praise on Morgan and Malan for the way they batted. Adds that he has learnt a lot in this series so far about how to talk to his bowlers as a captain in crunch situations and that he will take all these learnings into the next game and beyond as well. Ends by saying that Mohammad Amir is an important bowler and his loss definitely made things difficult for the visitors in this game.

Stay tuned as the presentation ceremony is on us shortly!

Earlier, England won the toss and opted to field first. Pakistan batted really well on this flat surface, with Azam and Hafeez seeing them to a close to a 200-run total. England's bowling performance was very sub par but the batters made up to more than it by winning the game for their side comprehensively.

Pakistan looked lethargic with the ball today, even though their batters did really well. They could not challenge England much, except when Shadab picked up 2 back-to-back wickets. But that seemed more as an outlier as there was no consistency from the bowlers otherwise. Even before Shadab had struck, a considerable damage was effected by the English openers. And after they departed, Pakistan looked very lacklustre. Amir went off the field after bowling just 2 overs, owing to a hamstring injury. Overall, the visitors never challenged the hosts a great deal.

And England win, and how. It looked difficult but not impossible and England thought the same as they went about their chase. A good chase requires a good start and the openers gave them just that, muscling the balls to the boundary till the powerplay. Although both the openers fell in quick succession, Malan and Morgan teamed up and largely built the innings to victory. Morgan was bludgeoning the ball to all areas of the park and Malan was ably supporting him at the other end. After the skipper departed, Malan took charge and saw to it that the hosts win and take an unassailable lead in the series, with one game to go.

19.1

4

FOUR! That will do nicely. England take it to the last over but finish it on the first delivery itself. Low full toss outside off, Malan creams this through point for a four. He moves on to 54 off 36 balls. England win by 5 wickets.

18.6

W

OUT! CAUGHT! One run required and England loses another wicket! Can you believe this? Short ball outside off, Sam cuts this one fine towards backward point but this one goes straight into the hands of the fielder who doesn't drop this! England will have to get into the final over of this match to finish this, itseems!

18.5

4

FOUR! 1 RUN NOW REQUIRED! On a full length around off, Sam smashes this down the pitch straight through the fielder at mid on and into the fence! The game is surely done now!

18.4

4

FOUR! 5 required now! A short length ball around off, Sam scoops this behind the left of the wicket-keeper and it races away to the boundary near long stop!

18.3

1

FIFTY FOR MALAN! Yorker around middle, worked towards deep point for a single. Malan had supported his skipper really well and later came of his own as well. Can he pull the match through for the hosts now?

18.2

1

Full delivery around middle and leg, Billings works this towards mid-wicket for a single. 10 off 10 now!

18.1

1

On a full length outside off, Dawid cuts it towards point and the batters will get a single. A run a ball required still for the Three Lions!

17.6

1

Flat and outside off, Dawid punches this to cover and takes a run.

17.5

1

Billings is off the mark. Pushes this fuller one to long off and crosses over for a single.

Sam Billings walks out now to replace Moeen Ali.

17.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Shadab has his third. A rather lazy shot from Moeen Ali, especially in these circumstances. Are Pakistan still in the hunt? Looks so. Coming to the delivery, it was flatter on the stumps, Moeen does not middle that well as he looked to pull that rather lazily. It went straight to the skipper, Babar Azam, at mid-wicket. He takes a simple catch and another wicket falls quickly after Morgan departed earlier.

17.3

1

Slower in the air on middle, Dawid gently reverse sweeps this to the off side. Just a single though.

17.2

2

On middle, Dawid punches on his backfoot to mid-wicket and gets a couple.

17.1

1

In the air but drops short! Shadab flights this outside off, Moeen goes uppishly wide of long on. The fielder there comes towards the ball but it still falls short. Just a single.

16.6

.

BEATEN! On a good length outside off, Malan looks to play at that but misses it and Rizwan pouches that one. Good over for Pakistan, 5 runs and a wicket off it!

Moeen Ali walks out now, replacing the skipper, Eoin Morgan.

16.5

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Morgan has to depart here but he leaves not after damaging Pakistan's chances of winning this tie. What an innings by the skipper, scoring 66 off just 33 balls! This is on a good length around middle and off, Morgan looks to slog-sweep this one out the park as well but his timing is not quite right here as the shot played goes straight into the hands of the fielder there at deep fine leg. Morgan will be disappointed that could not finish off the game but he has done enough for the rest of the batsmen to take the game home!

16.4

1

Good length ball on middle, Malan pushes this towards long on for a single.

16.3

.

Slower one bowled short around off, Malan is in two minds but doesn't take a poke at this one.

16.2

.

Good length ball around the pads, Malan looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls over behind to Rizwan.

Haris Rauf will replace Shaheen Afridi here.

16.1

4

FOUR! Malan enters the party along with Morgan now! On a good length around middle and leg, Dawid pulls this hard towards the deep-mid wicket area and it will cross the fence with ease. England should see out this match now!

15.6

1

A wrisy flick from Malan for a single. Another excellent over for England, 11 off it.

15.5

4

FOUR! Second one in a row. Malan is looking brilliant here. Exceptional! Flights this full outside off, Wasim. Malan goes inside out over extra cover and picks up a boundary. The sweeper cover fielder comes running in but cannot contain that.

15.4

4

FOUR! Brilliant shot, just gives himself some room and picked the gap nicely. Flat and outside off, Malan gives room as usual and cuts it through point for a boundary.

15.3

1

Another easy single. Full and around off, the skipper taps this to backward point and takes a quick single.

15.2

1

This one is worked for a single. Malan pushes it past cover and runs to the other side.

15.1

.

Flatter ball around off, Malan gives room but is only able to hit it back to Imad.

14.6

4

FOUR! THIRD ONE IN A ROW! Not intended but the skipper will accept that gracefully! This is a full toss outside off, Morgan looks to cut that but it comes off his outside edge and races past Rizwan, straight into the fence near long stop. What an over for the hosts! 20 runs off it, England looking set to take the game here.

14.5

4

FOUR! Second one in a row for the skipper! On a full length outside off, Morgan just lifts this over the cover region and the ball races away to the fence. Game changing innings from the skipper!

14.4

4

FOUR! On a good length around middle and off, Morgan pulls this hard towards the deep square leg area and the pace of the ball plus the shot means that the fielder there cannot stop this one. Morgan doing for England what Hafeez did for Pakistan earlier, with the bat!

14.3

.

Close to a run out but Shaheen misses! On a good length outside off, Morgan looks to play at that but it takes an inside edge and it comes off his pads and falls near the crease. Morgan looks for the single but Malan sends him back and he dives as Shaheen kicks the ball towards the stumps at the striker's end but misses the target!

14.2

6

SIX! FIFTY FOR MORGAN! Morgan says, if Babar can score a fifty, so can I! This was a full toss around off, Morgan casually flicks this on the up over the mid-wicket fence and it is a maximum! Great batting by the skipper here, a captain's knock indeed, but Morgan will know that the job is not done here!

14.2

1wd

WIDE! That doesn't look like a wide but the umpire signals it as one. A full length delivery way outside off, left alone. It was just within the tramline for us but the umpire felt otherwise.

14.1

1

Full delivery outside off, Dawid works this towards mid off for a single.

Shaheen Afridi will continue for Pakistan here, replacing Haris Rauf. His figures so far: 2-0-20-0.

13.6

1

Flatter ball on middle, Dawid plays this to mid-wicket and takes a single. 54 needed now from the last 6 overs.

13.6

1wd

Wide! Bowls it down the leg side. Malan lets it be and the umpire has a bit of exercising to do. Calls it a wide.

13.5

6

Six! Hammered! Malan wants to get things moving. Hits this to the longest part of the boundary. Flights this on middle, Malan gets down on one knee and slog sweeps this way over cow corner for six.

13.4

1

Flat on off and middle, Morgan tucks this on the on side for a single.

13.3

1

Flatter on the off pole, Malan gives room and cuts it fiercely. Straight to deep point though and just a single.

Shadab Khan will bowl now, replacing Iftikhar Ahmed.

13.2

1

Morgan sweeps the fuller one but straight to short fine leg. Another single.

13.1

1

Flighted on the pads, Malan flicks this to mid-wicket for a single.

12.6

4

FOUR! Sheer power! Morgan steering the ship for the hosts here! A full toss outside off and Morgan's eyes lit up as he plays this on the up over the cover region for a boundary. Some more of these and Pakistan will be sweating bullets!

12.5

1

On a good length around middle and leg, Dawid tucks this towards deep mid-wicket and will add one run to the total.

12.4

1

On a good length outside off, Morgan looks to drive back past the bowler but this comes off the toe end of his bat and goes towards the fielder at long on for a single.

12.3

.

Full toss outside off, played towards the fielder at cover.

12.2

6

SIX! Big shot! Shuffles towards the off stump and smacks this one into the stands! Good length ball outside off, Morgan slog-sweeps this one fine towards the deep square leg area for a maximum. Pakistan are slowly losing grip on this game here.

12.1

1

Back of a length around middle and off, Malan plays this towards long on for a single.

11.6

4

FOUR! With that boundary, England need another 79 to win. It also brings up the 50-run partnership between these two. But the job is not done yet, as these two need to continue more, if England are to clinch a win here. Shorter and outside off, Morgan cuts this past backward point for four runs.

11.5

1

On the pads, Malan flicks this to the leg side for a single.

11.4

2

Good work by Afridi in the deep point region. Keeps it to a couple. Iftikhar tosses this outside off, Malan smashes that towards deep point. A good save from Shaheen and the batters get just a couple.

11.3

4

FOUR! Excellent now, from Malan. Just gave himself enough room on the off side. Flatter ball on the off pole, he drills this past point for a boundary.

11.2

1

A single, as this fuller one is worked to long on.

11.1

6

SIX! Excellent shot from Morgan, off his backfoot. A ridiculous shot. Shortish and outside off, he further moves to the leg side and lofts this hard over sweeper cover for a biggie. Super shot.

Shadab Khan will continue bowling here, but wait? Babar has a change of mind as he hands the ball back to Iftikhar Ahmed who will continue here.

10.6

.

Back of a good length around middle and off, Malan looks to work this towards the mid-wicket region but it takes an inside egde onto his pads and the ball skittles off towards the off side, Malan looks for the single but Morgan sends him back.

10.5

1

Yorker again, on middle, Eoin pushes this towards the fielder at mid off and the batters will get one more run.

10.4

1

On a good length outside off, Malan smacks this towards the deep cover region to exchange ends with Morgan. A largely dull over, from England's perspective.

10.3

1

Yorker around middle, Morgan pushes this towards the cover-point area and will get a single.

10.2

1

Short of a good length around leg, Malan flicks it towards deep fine leg for one run.

10.1

1

Back of a length ball around middle and off, Morgan pushes that towards the deep cover region and the batsmen will exchange ends.

Haris Rauf will be replacing Shadab Khan for the visitors.

9.6

1

This time he goes back and punches it from the crease for a single.

9.5

1

Tosses this around the leg pole, Malan shuffles to his right and plays this to long on for a single.

9.4

1

This time he works it to the leg side and takes a single.

9.3

.

Tossed up around off, Eoin drives, but straight to cover.

9.2

2

Lovely shot from Morgan. He too gives room on the off side and creams it over cover. Will only get a couple though as the square leg fielder cuts if off.

9.1

1

Gives some room on the off and works this fuller one towards extra cover. A single.

8.6

4

FOUR! Need some more of these, skip! Loopy ball outside off, Morgan belts this one straight back over Shadab's head towards the long off boundary and he will get four runs. There is a cry of catch as soon as the ball left the bat, let me tell you, no one is catching that!

8.5

1

Flatter around leg, Malan works this towards square leg for a single.

8.4

.

In the air but short of Shadab Khan himself. Loopy ball outside off, Malan plays it back towards Shadab who dove to take that catch but the ball bounced short of him. Living dangerously here, these two.

8.3

1

Flighted ball around leg, Morgan tucks this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

8.2

2

Flatter outside off, Morgan cuts it past point and the batters get a couple.

8.1

6

SIX! What a calm shot played by the skipper, under all this tremendous pressure! Loopy around middle, Eoin slog sweeps this fine over the mid-wicket boundary and into the stands. Much, much needed boundary for the hosts!

7.6

1

On the pads, this is worked to the on side for a single.

7.5

.

Flatter one outside off, Morgan punches off the backfoot, but straight to extra cover.

7.4

1

Quicker one on the pads, helped in front of square leg for a run.

7.3

4

FOUR! Well played! Ahmed drags his length short and bowls it around off, Malan moves back to make room and cracks it through backward point.

Pakistan take a review here for the LBW appeal which went against them. UltraEdge shows no spike. However, Ball Tracker rules that out as an umpire's call and the on field decision stays.

7.2

.

This one is nicely tossed up, slower through the air and landing full around middle, Dawid defends off the front foot.

7.1

1

Flatter on middle, Morgan pushes it to the off side and picks up a run.

6.6

1

Morgan punches this off the backfoot past Shadab to long on for a single. End of a tumultous over for England.

6.5

.

NOT OUT! A lot of drama this over. Shadab floats this around middle and leg, Morgan looks to fend at it but misses and gets it on to his knee roll. The fielders appeal passionately but the umpire declines to raise his finger. Shadab convinces his skipper to take it upstairs. It is but an umpire's call rules out their hopes of a third wicket in the over. Morgan survives, but only by just. Pakistan were not that wrong in taking the review there, that was very close.

6.4

.

Shadab loops this around off, Morgan blocks it to the off side. He yells a loud no as Malan was setting off from the other end.

The skipper, Eoin Morgan, will walk out now, replacing the youngster, Tom Banton.

Tom Banton will ask for a review here as he is adjudged out for a LBW appeal by the on-field umpire. The third umpire comes into play. UltraEdge comes in and there is no spike between the bat and the ball. Ball Tracker comes in and IT IS HITTING THE WICKETS! Banton departs, but since it was umpire's call, England retain the review.

6.3

W

OUT! LBW! TWO IN TWO FOR SHADAB! What a turn-around in favours just in 2 balls for Pakistan! Loopy ball outside off and it is also turning back in, Banton looks to sweep this one but misses it and he gets clipped on the pads. The players appeal loudly and the umpire obliges raising his finger to indicate out. Banton doesn't look so sure, but he decided to take the review anyway. The replays show in and the third umpire sticks with the on-field decision and he has the long walk back to the hut. What a break-through by Shadab!

Mohammad Amir is limping off and the 12th man, Khushdil Shah, is on the field now.

Dawid Malan will walk out now for the hosts, replacing Jonny Bairstow.

6.2

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Shadab strikes right on the second ball here and he sends the very dangerous Jonny Bairstow back to the hut! Loopy delivery around middle and off, Jonny looks to sweep this fine but it comes off the top-edge and goes way up in the air, the fielder at short fine leg has quite some time to get underneath and collect that. Imad Wasim there, his composure is very good as he takes this one without any problems whatsoever! Bairstow departs after making 44 off just 24 and England lose their first.

Shadab Khan will replace Shaheen Afridi.

6.1

1

Flatter around off, Banton works this towards the cover region for a single.

5.6

2

Bairstow lofts this full length delivery over cover to the sweeper cover region. Will get a couple as the fielder cuts it off.

5.5

2

Good stop at point, probably saved a couple of runs. Good length ball outside off, Bairstow cuts this towards point. A good dive and England get just a couple.

Mohammad Amir is in some discomfort here. Was getting progressively worse with each ball. Looks to be a hamstring strain of sorts. He was stretching his hamstring almost every ball after the second ball of the over. The physio is out on the field now. He will continue for now though, Amir.

5.4

1

Length on the pads, turns this down to mid-wicket for a single.

5.3

.

Bowls a slow shortish one outside off from wide of the crease, Banton looks to cut but misses.

5.2

1

Fullish and around off, tucks this towards point. Curran calls for a quick single, from the other end. England do get their single.

5.1

6

SIX! Pakistan on the backfoot here, despite a good batting show, as the bowlers are taking a beating. Full and on middle and leg, Bairstow spears this over the deep square leg ropes for a maximum.

4.6

1lb

Appeal for LBW but not given! On a good length around middle and leg, Bairstow looks to flick that one but misses and it comes off his pads towards the third man region and the batters get a run. Babar thinks about the review but decides not to as it looked like it was heading down leg.

4.5

2

Back of a good length ball around off, Jonny belts this over the mid-wicket region and it looks like it is a maximum but it bounces just before the fence and stays put. The mid-wicket fielder collects this one. The batters get a couple.

4.5

3nb

NO BALL AND A FREE HIT! A full toss too high outside off, Jonny hits this on the up towards the long on region and it lands safe on the grass just as the mid-wicket fielder comes and collects this one. The umpire signals no ball for the height and a free hit then.

4.4

1

Short of a good length ball around middle and leg, Banton tucks it away towards the leg side for a single.

4.3

1

On a good length around middle and leg, Bairstow punches this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

4.2

1

Short ball around off, it comes off Tom's bottom part of the bat as he looked to pull that. The ball goes to the off side and the batters will get a single.

Shaheen Afridi will replace Imad Wasim.

4.1

1

On a full length outside off, Bairstow works it towards the point region and the fielder dives to his left and does well to stop that. The batters will get one run though.

3.6

1

Full and on the pads, Bairstow flicks it to square leg for a single.

3.5

1

Good calling and good running between these two. Full on the stumps, Banton works this to the leg side and runs quickly to the non-striker's end. Amir throws at the non-striker's end but misses. A single.

3.4

1

An easy single this time, Amir was frustrated at the prospect of an easy single there. On a length around the off pole, Jonny guides this behind point and takes a single as Tom makes a good call and runs hard and safe into the danger end.

3.3

.

Jonny guides this length ball to the off side and says no for the single.

3.2

6

SIX! This one is more than a tickle. Amir bowls this fullish on the pads, Bairstow lofts this nonchalantly over the deep square leg region for a maximum. 10 off the first two balls and the pressure is right on Amir.

Mohammad Amir will bowl now, replacing Shaheen Afridi.

3.1

4

FOUR! Nice tickle, tickeld down well for four. Length ball bowled slow on the hips, Jonny tickles this fine down the leg side for a boundary.

2.6

2

Has Banton got away with it, has he got away with it? Yes. Tossed up around off, Banton is down the pitch and lofts this uppishly towards mid-wicket. There was no one there and he can thank his stars for that. A couple to the total.

2.5

1

On off, Jonny pushes this to square leg and takes a single.

2.4

4

FOUR! Jonny Bairstow straightaway there, moves to outside the off-stump and sweeps this over the man at backward square leg for four.

2.3

1

Banton moves to the leg side and works this fuller one to long on. A single.

2.2

2

Looped up on middle, the batsman advances and lofts this to deep mid-wicket. A couple.

2.1

6

SIX! That has gone all the way! Cannot believe it! Brilliant shot! Loopy ball on middle, Banton reverse sweeps it over the third man region for a maximum. First one of the innings.

1.6

1

A single to end an expensive over by Afridi! On the pads, this is worked towards mid-wicket for one.

1.5

1

Huge appeal for LBW but not out says the umpire. Shaheen bowls this full on the pads, Bairstow looks to flick but does not time that well. It just about goes to his right on the leg side. He takes a single. So, that has come off the bat and that is why the umpire did not give that. Otherwise it looked plumb.

1.4

4

FOUR! Just over Azam at cover! Full length ball outside off, Bairstow lofts this uppishly and just over Azam at cover for a boundary.

Shaheen Shah Afridi is into the attack.

1.3

4

FOUR! Quicker is this outfield and it races away. Full and around off, Bairstow flicks that uppishly over the mid-wicket region and the ball sped away to the boundary.

1.2

.

Length ball outside off, Bairstow looks to cut but bottom edges it back on to the pitch.

1.1

1

On a length on off and middle, Banton works this to behind square on the leg side. A single.

0.6

.

Loopy ball on off, Jonny flicks this to short mid-wicket. 3 runs off the first over then.

0.5

.

On middle, Bairstow clips this to short mid-wicket.

0.4

1

Saw Banton advancing and drops it short. Banton manages to push this to short fine leg and takes a single.

0.3

1

Wasim floats this on middle, Bairstow gently taps it to the leg side and takes a single. He is off the mark as well.

0.2

1

Floats this on middle and leg, Banton works it to long on and gets off the strike. He is off the mark too.

0.1

.

Flatter ball outside off, Tom cuts this towards cover.

Tom Banton and Jonny Bairstow walk out to the middle, followed by the Pakistani players. Just like the first T20I, Imad Wasim will kick off proceedings with the ball for the visitors. Off we go....

England's bowling was very tame in comparision to the batting by their rivals here. The only bowler from England who scalped 2 wickets was Adil Rashid who was also hit for quite a few strokes over the ground. The trio of pacers - Saqib, Jordan and Tom Curran were very expensive as well in the first innings and their line and lengths were not quite on point as well. Eoin Morgan will not be completely pleased with the performance with the ball here in the first innings as they leaked almost close to 200 runs. Will the English batters redeem themselves here? We'll find out after this short break!

Before we begin talking about the first innings, let us just be grateful to the weather gods for letting us watch an innings play out without the interuptions of bad light or rain. Now that we have shown our gratitude to the rain-gods, let us talk about how amazing the Pakistani batsmen were today. Classic T20I batting this from Babar and Co! Babar especially, showing us once again why he is regarded as one of the most feared players in this format of the game. He scored 56 off 44 balls and some of the shots he has played on his way to this half century would make a grown man cry! Let us not forget about his partner in crime, Fakhar Zaman, who scored a very well made 36 off 22 runs and helped Babar from the other end. The 1st wicket patnership came up to 72 runs before Zaman departed and not long after Babar was on his way back as well. Now if you think the batsmen after Babar can't be explosive, then you are wrong as Mohammad Hafeez played a blinder of an innings scoring 69 off 36 balls helpling Pakistan get to 195/4 at the end of the 20 overs.

Shadab Khan will walk out now as the last ball of the innings is looming. He replaces Mohammad Hafeez at the crease, who departed after an excellent blitz.

19.6

1

Excellent bowling from Curran. Just the 7 runs off the last over. Good length ball on off, Ahmed cuts this to point and steals a single. PAKISTAN END THEIR INNINGS AT 195/4.

19.5

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Hafeez departs but not after having played a magnificent innings. His brilliance has seen Pakistan near the 200-run mark. This was bowled on a length on top of off, Hafeez gave himself some room on the off and slashes hard at that. Ends up getting a top edge, which goes safely to Morgan at extra cover, who takes a neat, simple catch. Hafeez though has done his job very well, 69 off 36.

19.4

2

Fullish on the stumps, Hafeez works this to deep backward square leg for a couple.

19.3

1

Excellent bit of fielding from Gregory at deep backward square leg. Bad ball from Tom, full and almost hip-height, takes Iftikhar by surprise. He flicks this to the deep on the leg side and has to satisfy himself with just a single. Good fielding in the deep. The umpires do not decide to have a look at that for height.

19.2

2

Goes across the stumps and works the full length delivery to mid-wicket. They will look for a couple, Pakistan, and get it.

19.1

1

Just a single. Low full toss on off, Hafeez works this to deep square leg and takes a single.

18.6

1

DROPPED! What an effort by the skipper here! On a full length outside off, Hafeez plays this uppishly through the cover region but Morgan at extra cover, had other plans as he jumps and stops this with just one hand, he saved his side three runs as Hafeez keeps the strike for the last over.

18.5

2

Full delivery around middle, Hafeez works this towards the deep mid-wicket region and he calls for a two and the batters get two runs easily.

18.4

1

Yorker on the pads, Ahmed looks to flick but misses and it comes off his pads with an inside edge towards the leg side for a single.

18.3

1

Full toss around middle, Hafeez works this down towards long on for a single.

18.2

.

On a good length around off, Hafeez hits it on the ground and it goes back to Jordan, who throws it back towards the stump of Hafeez as he was out of his crease but he misses.

18.1

6

SIX! Hafeez, you beauty! What batting by Hafeez, taking the reigns from Babar! On a short length outside off, Hafeez pulls at this hard and it crosses over the deep mid-wicket boundary for a maximum. These boundaries are really pushing Pakistan over the 200+ mark!

17.6

2lb

NOT OUT! England had taken a review for LBW upstairs but the third time, after fully satisfying himself, declares that to be not out. And it was reviewed for a run out by the umpires as well and Pakistan are safe here as well. Very full and on the pads, Ahmed looks to flick but misses and gets rapped on the pads. England appeal for the LBW but the umpire is unmoved. The ball rolls to the side of the stumps and Hafeez wants the single. He takes off. Bairstow collects the ball and throws it to the bowler's end and hits. Morgan takes the review for LBW. The Ball Tracker shows that it is pitching outside leg. They now check for the run out and it shows that Iftikhar had just made his way in at the bowler's end. The ball rolls to the off side and the batters take an overthrow too.

Eoin Morgan asks for a review here as he thinks this could be LBW. UltraEdge comes in and there is no spike as the ball passes the bat. Ball Tracker comes in and the impact is outside leg, so it will remain not out and England lose a review here.

The umpires want the third umpire to have a look at this. Mahmood takes a catch and the umpires think that the third umpire needs to come into play. The soft signal is not out. The replays show that the ball pitches on the track after taking the bat, before Saqib grabs it. Not out says the third umpire.

17.5

.

NOT OUT! It has gone straight into the pitch. We are all perplexed as to why Mahmood appealed there. What did he see? He bowls a full length ball on middle, Iftikhar looks to play it on the leg side but ends up getting an inside edge back on to the pitch. It goes into Mahmood's hands later on and the bowler appeals, thinking it to be off the bat and pad. However, replays show otherwise and Ahmed stays.

17.4

1

Does not time the pull to perfection. Short length delivery, he looks to pull but ends up mistiming it to long on. A single.

17.3

4

FOUR! And again, the flat-bat shot. We have seen a lot of that today, from Hafeez. Saqib has been hit three times by Hafeez in that region. Length ball on the stumps, Hafeez gave himself some room on the off side. He whacks this over the bowler's head for a four.

17.2

4

FOUR! Hafeez goes to his fifty, 51 from just 26 balls. 4 fours and 3 sixes so far. Low full toss on off, Hafeez moves across and scoops this fine to the fine leg area for a boundary. That is the second fastest T20I fifty against England in England.

17.1

1

Shortish and way outside off, Ahmed works this behind square on the off side. There is protection in the deep and hence only a single.

16.6

1

Yorker on middle, Ahmed works this towards long on again for a single to end the over.

16.5

1

Good length on middle, Hafeez works this towards the square leg area for a single.

16.4

1

On a good length outside off, Ahmed plays it towards the long on region for a single. He is off the mark.

Iftikhar Ahmed will walk out now, replacing Shoaib Malik.

16.3

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Shoaib Malik will have to walk off now. England does well to break this partnership as they had started getting their groove on. Full length delivery outside off, Malik looks to clear the cover region on the up and get a boundary but his shot has just enough power to fall into the hands of the fielder at mid off.

16.2

2

Full toss outside off, Malik hits this towards the deep mid-wicket area. A good effort by the fielder in the deep helps the Three Lions save two runs here. A couple only for Pakistan.

16.2

1wd

WIDE! That's a wayward bouncer over middle and leg, Malik leaves it and the umpire signals that as a wide.

Chris Jordan will replace Saqib Mahmood here.

16.1

4

FOUR! What a delicious shot by Malik! On a full length outside off, Malik just lifts this over the cover region and it crosses the fence after a couple of bounces. Pakistan on fire here!

15.6

6

SIX! And that's why, that's why, he wanted the strike. Hafeez is muscling therm here. Short length ball on top of off-stump, Hafeez swivels and pulls this over the deep square leg fence for six. It did not have much of a height but had more than enough of the distance to clear the ropes.

15.5

1

Quick single. Hafeez was keen to get on strike. Full and in the blockhole just outside off-stump, Malik taps this to short third man and the batters take a single.

15.4

1

One more short one on the body, Hafeez pulls this to deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

15.3

4

FOUR! And now it is a four. Full length delivery outside off, Hafeez creams this over the top of covers and the batsman gets four on that occasion.

15.3

7nb

NO BALL AND A SIX! Height no ball that. It was a full toss above hip height, Hafeez stays within his crease and lofts this high in the air over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie.

15.2

3

Malik gives a little bit of room on the off side. It was on a length around the off pole, Malik waits and patiently cuts this to deep backward point. The throw is at the striker's end but Hafeez was well in. The batters have taken three actually and England cannot believe that, neither can we! Excellent running.

Tom Curran is back into the attack. 2-0-16-0 are his figures so far.

15.1

1

Full and slower on middle and leg, Hafeez milks this past mid on for a single.

14.6

1

Short length ball around off and middle, pulled towards the square leg region for a single to end a successful over for Pakistan, 13 runs off it!

14.5

4

FOUR! Second one of the over! Hafeez has started punishing the bad balls here! Short length ball way outside off, Hafeez, just like the previous boundary of the over, smacks this over Saqib's head and over mid off into the fence. Great batting by Hafeez!

14.4

1

Short length ball around off, Malik pushes this towards mid-wicket for a single. 8 runs off the over so far.

14.4

1wd

WIDE! Bad delivery by Saqib! Wayward Bouncer over the top of middle and leg stump, Malik lets it go and the umpire signals for a wide.

14.3

1

Short length ball over off and middle, Hafeez pulls this hard towards the square leg region and collects a single.

14.2

4

FOUR! Hafeez with a belter here! Short delivery outside off, Hafeez just bangs this back over the bowler's head and the ball races away to the fence. The first boundary for three overs for Pakistan.

Saqib Mahmood will replace Adil Rashid here. His figures: 2-0-15-0.

14.1

1

Back of a good length around off and middle, flicked by Malik towards the square leg area for a single.

13.6

.

To paddle or not, thought Hafeez! Alas, it was too late and the ball was well past him. Fullish outside off, Hafeez looks to paddle sweep and then changes and looks to defend. A comedy of errors, as the ball goes past his bat to the keeper.

13.5

.

Length ball around off, Hafeez nudges this to point.

13.4

2

In the air...but well over mid on. Full and around middle and leg, Hafeez lofts this finely over the head of mid on and collects a couple.

13.3

1

Fullish outside off, worked towards third man for a single.

13.2

.

Good length ball on off, Malik defends this back on to the pitch.

13.1

1

Length ball outside off, Hafeez guides this behind square on the off side for a single.

13.1

2wd

WIDE! Good length ball down the leg side, Malik looks to flick but misses. Bairstow fails to collect and the ball rolls to the leg side. The batters cross ends. 2 runs in total.

12.6

1

Flatter around off, Malik pushes this towards mid-wicket for a single.

12.5

.

Floated outside off, cut by Malik towards point.

Shoaib Malik walks out now, replacing the skipper Babar Azam.

12.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT! The captain has to depart after a wonderful innings but he will definitely walk with his head held high as he has helped his team put up this score until now and has set the platform for the middle order to carry it forward. Flatter around middle, Azam pulls this on the up towards deep mid-wicket and the fielder there takes an easy catch. England get the wicket of the main man at the right time as he looked very dangerous in the past 3-4 overs.

12.3

1

Short on middle, Hafeez works this towards mid-wicket for one run.

12.2

1

Flatter around middle, pushed towards mid-wicket by Azam off his back-foot for a single.

12.1

1

Floated around middle, Hafeez pushes this towards mid-wicket for a single.

11.6

.

A dot to end as Azam cuts this to the fielder at point. Good over for Pakistan, 10 runs off it.

11.5

1

Short and Hafeez looks to pull again. Does not time it well. Gets an inside edge on to his body and the ball falls beside him on the leg side. He will take a single though as Saqib runs in and fetches that.

11.4

1

Short and outside off, Azam cuts this to deep point and takes a single.

11.3

1

Pulls again does Hafeez but this one does not go that far. Lands near deep square leg. The fielder there collects and throws it back. A single.

11.2

6

SIX! Good shot, he picked that up beautifully. And what a way to bring 2000 runs in T20Is, Mohammad Hafeez. Short length ball, he pulls this with disdain over the deep backward square leg fence for a maximum.

Saqib Mahmood will grip the ball now.

11.1

1

Slow and shortish outside off, Azam waits and works this behind square on the off side for a single.

10.6

1

Flighted ball on middle, Babar pushes this towards long on for a single. A great over for Babar and Pakistan!

10.5

1

Full toss way outside off, Hafeez plays this on the up towards the deep cover region and the batters exchange ends.

10.4

1

Flatter around middle, Azam works it towards mid-wicket for a single.

10.3

4

FOUR! FIFTY FOR BABAR! Floated outside off, Babar plays his time-less classic cover drive through the cover region and as expected, it crosses the fence, past the fielder who tried to stop that. Babar with a captain's knock here! Classic, absolute classic stuff!

10.2

4

FOUR! The skipper is looking in good knick! Flatter around middle, Babar rocks on to his back foot and smacks this through the mid-wicket region and into the fence. Azam looking sharp in this innings!

10.1

1

Flatter around off, Hafeez works it towards point for a single.

9.6

1

Good call from Hafeez here. Taps this full length delivery to the on side and calls for a quicks single, gets it.

9.5

4lb

FOUR OFF LEG BYES! Not quite where Hafeez would have intended but he wll take it nonetheless. Short and slow on the hips, Hafeez looks to pull at that but misses. The ball deflects off his hips and races down to the fine leg region for a boundary off extras.

9.4

1

Bowls a full length slower one outside off, Azam guides it to the third man fielder and takes a single.

9.3

1

On a length on middle, Hafeez works this to square leg for a single.

9.2

1

Follows the boundary with a single. Works the fuller length ball to the leg side and takes a run.

9.1

4

FOUR! Delicately played, beautifully played by Azam. A touch of class on the shot. Fullish length ball outside off, Azam intelligently tucks this behind square on the off side for a boundary.

8.6

1

Floated on the leg pole line, Azam clips this to mid-wicket and takes a single. He will keep strike in the next over.

8.5

1

Hafeez is off the mark straightaway. Pulls this shortish ball to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

8.4

1

Flatter ball on leg, Azam works this on the leg side for a single.

Mohammad Hafeez will walk out to bat now, replacing Fakhar Zaman.

8.3

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Fakhar Zaman's well played knock must come to an end and it is Rashid who finally breaks this partnership! Zaman looks to work this one for a maximum again but this time his shot is mis-timed.Floated around off, Zaman looks to work this over the long on boundary but it comes off the lower part of the bat and goes high up in the Manchester sky towards long on where Banton takes this one without much of a hitch! This wicket was really needed for Morgan and Co as they both were looking very dangerous!

8.2

.

Shorter around off, Fakhar pushes it to the leg side. Sends Azam back as the non-striker was straying out of his crease.

8.1

6

SIX! Pakistan are really on fire here! Floated around leg, Zaman clears his front foot and smashes this over the mid-wicket boundary for a maximum. The openers have really set Pakistan up for a massive total!

7.6

1

Full and on middle and leg, Fakhar looks to close the bat and work it on the leg side. Does a bit late and the ball takes a leading edge and goes to cover. A single collected.

7.5

1

Full on off, Azam taps this to mid-wicket. Is happy with a single and indicated to his partner so.

7.4

.

Works this fuller length ball to wide of mid off. Shouts no to his partner on the single.

7.3

1

Shortish one around off, bowled a touch slow as well. Does not time the pull well as the ball goes to mid on. A single though.

7.2

1

Azam works this length ball to deep backward square leg for a single.

Lewis Gregory will grip the ball now.

7.1

4

FOUR! Lovely shot. It was a little too full and a little too wide outside off, bowled slower as well. Azam had all the time in the world to pick that and loft it over mid off for a boundary.

6.6

1

Floated around middle, worked towards the mid-wicket region for a single to end the over.

6.5

4

FOUR! What a cracking shot by Babar! Flatter around middle, Babar smashes this towards the mid-wicket region and it fires away into the boundary, even though a fielder tried to stop it. What timing!

6.4

.

A lot of turn here! The ball lands around off and spins way too sharply, Babar looks to play it towards the leg side but he misses. Bairstow whips the bails off but Azam was inside his crease there.

6.3

1

Tossed up outside off, worked towards the mid off region for a single.

6.2

1

Tossed up around middle, Babar knocks this towards short fine leg for a single.

Adil Rashid will bowl now for the hosts.

6.1

.

An appeal for LBW but no says the umpire! Floated around middle and leg, Azam looks to flick it but misses this one as it hits him on the pads. A loud appeal by the bowler and wicket-keeper but the umpire says no. Rashid doesn't take the review as it looked like it was going down leg. They have a couple of reviews, England.

5.6

1

Very lucky there Tom Curran. Full toss on leg, Azam only manages to turn this down to the fielder at deep square leg for a single.

5.5

2

Azam flicks this fuller one to the leg side and steals a couple.

5.4

1

Full and on off, Zaman caresses this through the ground to long off for a single.

5.3

4

FOUR! Not the quickest of deliveries but Zaman works it down fine. Shortish length ball on top of off, Zaman gently guides this behind square on the off side for a four.

5.2

1

Clever batting from Azam. Taking the easy singles on the offer. On a length outside off, he works this to the point region and runs a quick single.

5.1

.

Full and on off, whips this but straight to the fielder at short mid-wicket.

4.6

1

Off-cutter again, outside off, Babar works this delicately towards the third man to retain strike for the next over.

4.5

1

Back of a good length around middle and leg, Zaman flicks this towards the fielder at short fine leg and the batters take a quick single.

4.4

4

FOUR! Second one in the over for Pakistan! On a full length outside off, Zaman powers this down the ground past the fielder at mid off. Great start by the Pakistani batters!

4.3

1

Short of a good length around off and middle, Babar plays this towards deep mid-wicket area for a single.

4.2

.

Slower one around off, Babar tries to drive that through cover but does not make contact.

4.1

4

FOUR! Jordan greeted with a four yet again! Back of a good length ball way outside off, Azam crunches this one through the point region and the ball races away to the boundary.

3.6

4

FOUR! Nobody on the leg side there, he works it neatly and collects a boundary. Shorter from Curran, Zaman waits and then pulls this behind square past short fine leg for a boundary.

3.5

1

Fullish length ball on off, tapped to the leg side by Azam for a single.

3.4

.

Full delivery on middle, Babar flicks it to mid-wicket for a dot.

Tom Curran will bowl now, repacing Moeen Ali.

3.3

.

Nothing off the Free Hit! Slower ball outside off, Azam looks to hammer it over the off side but does not time it as well as he would have liked. The ball goes on one bounce to cover.

3.3

1nb

NO BALL! Curran has whipped the bails off at his end with his hands as he was running in. Good length ball on the pads, Azam looks to flick but misses. No Ball signalled. A Free Hit will follow!

3.2

.

Slower short ball on middle, Azam is early into his pull and misses it to get hit on the body.

3.1

1

Curran starts with a good length ball on middle, Zaman pushes it to the cover region for a single.

2.6

1

Short and around the hips, Zaman pulls this to deep square leg and completes the single. Will keep strike in the next over.

2.5

1

Slower ball on the pads, Babar works this to square leg and runs to the other end.

2.4

2

Shortish and around off, Babar works this to deep point. A quick run and then the batters scamper back for the second. Good running from Pakistan.

2.3

1

A single as the full length delivery is worked to long on.

2.2

.

On a length outside off, the batsman guides this to backward point. Zaman looked for a single but Azam sends him back.

Chris Jordan will grip the ball now, replacing Saqib Mahmood.

2.1

4

FOUR! And Jordan is greeted with a boundary by Zaman. Not a good start from the bowler. Way too full outside off, all Zaman had to do was get bat on ball. He did that and guides that to the extra cover boundary for four. The fielder in the deep gives chase but this outfield is lightning quick.

1.6

1

Advances down the track and works the fuller one to long on. Zaman gets a single.

1.5

4

FOUR! The outfield is quicker today. Flatter ball outside off, Fakhar stays in his crease and cuts this finely in the gap between point and short third man for a boundary.

1.4

1

Around off, pushed to wide long on. Only a single this time though.

1.3

2

Floated around off, Babar knocks this wide of long on. The shout is for two as he completes the single and he gets a couple.

1.2

1

Flatter on off, Fakhar plays this to square leg. Yet another single.

1.1

1

Starts off with a flatter one, Azam whips this to mid-wicket for a single.

Moeen Ali will bowl from the other end for the hosts.

0.6

.

On a length outside off, Zaman looks to work it towards point, ends up getting a bottom edge and the ball goes just wide of him on the off side.

0.5

.

Fullish on the stumps, Fakhar knocks this to the leg side.

0.4

.

An appeal for LBW turned down! Pitched outside leg probably! Good length ball on the pads, Zaman looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is an appeal for LBW but the umpire shakes his head. England do not take the review. Good decision as the Ball Tracker shows that it is pitching outside leg.

0.3

1

A single. Fullish on the stumps, Azam tucks this towards square leg and runs to the other side.

0.2

.

Azam taps this length ball to the off side.

0.1

4

FOUR! Pakistan are underway and in a laudable fashion. Mahmood starts with a short ball on middle, Azam rocks on his back foot and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder chases after it and dives in an attempt to stop it but the ball wins the race. Good start for Pakistan.

Well, we go again! Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman walk out into the pitch for Pakistan. They will be looking to start off with a bang. Saqib Mahmood will start proceedings with the ball for the English Lions. And we are underway!

Eoin Morgan, England's captain, opted to field first, citing the slowness of the pitch. Conveys that the side remains unchanged from the previous encounter. Is happy that Chris Jordan is back in English colours.

Babar Azam, Pakistan's skipper, says that he would have bowled first had he won the toss but that the same is not in his hands. Expresses confidence that the team will post a big total on the board. States that his side is unchanged from the last game. Wahab Riaz has been rested because of the team combination, Azam says.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Babar Azam (C), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi.

England (Playing XI) - Tom Banton, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan (C), Sam Billings, Moeen Ali, Lewis Gregory, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood.

TOSS - Toss time at Manchester. The spin of the coin lands in England's favour. THE HOSTS WILL BOWL! The teams remain unchanged from the first T20I it seems.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the second T20I between England and Pakistan. The weather would be the utmost thing in all your concerns now, we understand. Right now, we have no issues as the toss is getting underway at the scheduled time. But we are given to hear that we could expect some showers later on. And that matters in the larger context of the series - how, you may ask. Well, the first game was washed out after just around 17 overs of play and the forecast for the third game looks grim. This means that this game, the second T20I, could potentially be the series decider. Stay with us as we bring you the toss and all the relevant updates then.

Match Center

2nd T20I, Manchester, August 30, 2020, 06:45 PM