Fourth Twenty20 International: England vs. Pakistan - As It Happened

The fourth T20 international between England and Pakistan was a thrilling encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball. Here’s a detailed account of how the match unfolded.

First Innings: Pakistan Sets a Competitive Target

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first. The opening pair, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, got off to a steady start, building a solid foundation. Babar Azam, displaying his usual class, scored a fluent half-century, keeping the scoreboard ticking with boundaries and quick singles.

England's bowlers struggled to make early breakthroughs, with Adil Rashid finally breaking the partnership by dismissing Rizwan for 34. Fakhar Zaman and Haider Ali contributed with brisk knocks, but it was Babar Azam who anchored the innings, ending with a magnificent 75 off 50 balls. Pakistan posted a challenging total of 170/6 in their 20 overs, thanks to some late hitting by Shadab Khan.

 Second Innings: England's Chase

England's reply started aggressively with openers Jos Buttler and Jason Roy taking on the Pakistani bowlers.Particularly buttler was in commanding form rupturing barriers at will  However, Haris Rauf provided Pakistan with a crucial breakthrough, dismissing Roy for 27.

Dawid Malan joined Buttler, and the duo kept the momentum going with a mix of power hitting and smart running between the wickets. Buttler brought up his half-century in style, but just when England seemed to be cruising, Pakistan struck back with quick wickets.

Shadab Khan's spin proved to be effective, as he removed Malan and then Buttler in quick succession, bringing Pakistan back into the game. The pressure was on England's middle order, but they responded well. Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali played crucial knocks, keeping England in the hunt.

The Final Over Drama

The match boiled down to the final over, with England needing 10 runs to win. Shaheen Afridi, tasked with defending the total, bowled a brilliant over, mixing up his deliveries and keeping the batsmen guessing. With 3 needed off the last ball, Afridi held his nerve and bowled a perfect yorker, resulting in a run-out and securing a dramatic 2-run victory for Pakistan.

Key Performances

Babar Azam:

 75 off 50 balls, anchoring Pakistan's innings with his elegant stroke play.

Jos Buttler:

 64 off 38 balls, providing England with a strong start and keeping them in the chase.

Shadab Khan:

 Crucial wickets of Malan and Buttler, turning the tide in Pakistan's favor.

Conclusion

The fourth T20 international between England and Pakistan was a showcase of high-quality cricket, with both teams displaying skill and tenacity. Pakistan's ability to hold their nerve in the final moments and England's spirited chase made it a memorable match for cricket fans around the world.