3rd T20I, Manchester, September 01, 2020, 10:30 PM
190/4(20.0ov)
185/8(20.0ov)
Pakistan beat England by 5 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Mohammad Hafeez
Commentry
So, to jog your memory, the first T20I was a washout, while the second won was won by England, displaying a steely temperament while chasing. In the third T20I though, Pakistan managed to hold on and win to equalize the series at 1-1. That's that from this series then. Pakistan head home with a win from their last game while England would be a tad disappointed that they could not finish things off in their favour. England however, have another series lined up against the Aussies - this one comprises T20Is first and then ODIs. The first T20I happens on 4th September at the Rose Bowl. It will begin at 1800 Local (1700 GMT) and until then, take care!
Babar Azam, the Pakistan skipper, says he is happy with the team's performance. Adds that it was a close match and it was entertaining. Praises Haider Ali for his superb knock. Azam also says the bowlers did well to come back in the end. Mentions that Haider Ali had played really well in the Under-19 World Cup and that he was always confident of the young lad's ability. Ends by thanking the England Cricket Board for all the arrangements.
Eoin Morgan, the England skipper, says that they are disappointed with today's performance. Adds that Banton played well but that the other batsmen should have performed as well. Mentions the bowlers did well to improve in the death. Credits Pakistan for playing a quality game. Morgan ends by saying that the English team is looking forward for the Australia series.
Mohammad Hafeez is named the Man of the Match and the Man of the Series. He starts by thanking the almighty. Adds that he is happy with his performance today. Mentions Haider Ali did well and he backed him for doing well. Lauds the youngsters in the team for really performing well. Hafeez also says that the team is improving on the power hitting part. Mentions that he is trying to help the team perform in must win matches and that has worked well for them.
Time for the presentation then. Hang on.
Earlier in the game, England opted to field after having won the toss. England started off well with the ball but the debutant Haider Ali and the experienced Mohammad Hafeez steadied the ship as well as got the going well. The debutant-wonder got out but Hafeez was there till the end and ensured that Pakistan got to 190. Only Jordan was the sole performer with the ball for England. All the other bowlers were hammered and in the end, it proved a touch little high for the English batters.
For Pakistan, Wahab Riaz was the pick among the wickets, with 2 wickets and an economy rate of just 6.5 in his 4 overs. Shaheen was simply superb as well, with 2 wickets and an economy rate of just 7 from his 4 overs. Besides these two, Wasim and Rauf had a wicket each but were on the expensive side, Rauf much more than Wasim. Shadab Khan not only went wicketless but also was the most expensive for Pakistan, conceding 48 in his 4 overs. Overall though, the visitors would be more happy that they were able to take a win in this game and square the series at 1 apiece.
England had a terrible start as they lost Bairstow in the very first over. Malan's stay was short-lived as well as he departed quickly after Bairstow. Banton was looking his usual best and along with Morgan looked to be setting the ship right, before, the latter had to depart after a confusion lead to the skipper's run-out. It pushed England's fortunes back, further more, after Banton fell for 46 later. But then, Billings and Moeen combined to stitch a recovery and keep England's hopes alive. However, it was a false hope as Billings fell soon and Moeen, despite slogging it out, had to depart in the penultimate over and in the end, England ended up losing by 5 runs.
Who would have thought that the match would end in such a dramatic fashion? But it did! And Pakistan make it even in the T20Is with 1-1. The Pakistani pacers have done well to swing this game in the visitors' favour. Moeen Ali looked all set to see England home but Riaz, the trusted Pakistani pace workhorse, swung the game back in Pakistan's favour. It still looked like England had a chance after the six off the penultimate ball of their innings. But Rauf did well to come back and make sure that another half a dozen was not in the offing.
In over# 1
0
Haris Rauf 41/1(4)
19.6
.
Rauf bowls a yorker outside off, Curran tries to dig it out but misses it. PAKISTAN WIN BY 5 RUNS!
19.5
6
SIX! Length delivery on off, Curran smashes it over covers for a maximum. 6 runs needed off the last ball.
19.4
1
Full delivery on off, Rashid moves across and flicks it towards fine leg for a run.
19.3
2
Full on middle, Rashid flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple. England need 13 runs in 3 balls.
19.2
1
Full delivery on off, Curran drives it towards mid off for a single.
19.1
1b
Full delivery just outside off, Rashid looks to drive but misses it. It goes towards the keeper where Sarfaraz collects the ball and tries to go for a direct hit at his end but misses it. The batsmen steal a bye.
Tom Curran walks in.
In over# 1
0
0W
0
1
1
0W
1wd
Wahab Riaz 26/2(4)
18.6
.
Curran gives himself room on the off side and looks to scoop over the keeper's head but misses it completely.
18.5
W
OUT! CAUGHT! Easy catch, caught and bowled. A very important wicket for Pakistan in the context of the game. Wahab Riaz, the trusted stead, strikes for Pakistan and does the job for his skipper. Bowls a short of a length delivery on top of the stumps, Moeen looks to pull that but ends up top edging it towards the off side. Sarfaraz shouts catch it and Wahab scampers across and holds on to it safely. Moeen Ali goes after a well made 61.