New Delhi: It’s been nearly a month of absolute classics, historic upsets and crazy comebacks, but we are finally one game away from crowning the new champions of the Men’s T20 World Cup. In light of their victories over New Zealand and India respectively, Babar Azam’s Pakistan and Jos Buttler’s England go toe to toe at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In what will be the first ICC tournament men’s final since 1992 to feature these two nations, the winner will claim their second Men’s T20 World Cup title and equal the record set by the West Indies in 2012 and 2016.
There’s been some more twists in the lead-up to this final due to the unpredictability of weather conditions caused by La Niña and climate change, with thunderstorms predicted over the course of the day. However, in true “Four Seasons in One Day” fashion, as captured by the New Zealand-Australian rock band Crowded House, the rain has stayed away from the MCG so far. Long may that continue, although Monday has also been earmarked as a reserve day to ensure that a result is achieved.
England have won the toss and captain Jos Buttler elected to bowl first. Both teams’ captains have named an unchanged lineup from their victorious semifinal encounters.
England Squad
Jos Buttler (c & wk), Alex Hales, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid
Pakistan Squad
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Catch all the live action from PAK vs ENG match here:
5.10PM Pakistan simply hadn’t scored enough runs on this tricky MCG pitch but did well to keep England in check
The Barmy Army go up in raucous celebrations to belt out “Sweet Caroline” for the second time in four days to mark England’s T20 world title win. Pakistan simply hadn’t scored enough runs on this tricky MCG pitch but did well to keep England in check until the reoccurrence of injury to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s right knee. Iftikhar was thrown into the deep end, Stokes and Moeen plundered the overs that followed and it was an easy win from there. The Jos Buttler era had only begun a few months ago with Eoin Morgan’s retirement, but he and coach Matthew Mott have already delivered their country a T20 World Cup! In doing so, this is also their fifth win over Pakistan in the last 8 T20 internationals between the two nations, and they will face each other again in a month’s time for a historic Test series in Pakistan. Thank you for joining our LIVE coverage of this Men’s T20 World Cup over the last few weeks and stay tuned for the post-match report.
5.06PM Over 19 England 138-5 (Stokes 52*, Livingstone 1*) – Stokes takes England home to second Men’s T20 World Cup title
The new man Livingstone turns the strike back to Stokes who plays another brilliant back-foot shot to the vacant cover region for four and bring up his half-century! England just need a single to win now as Pakistan bring the field up, but Stokes plays and misses the penultimate delivery. Stokes hits it leg side and ENGLAND ARE THE MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS! Stokes redeems himself in the T20 international format for England, over 6 years since that horror final over at the Eden Gardens. England have their second title now, equalling the West Indies and breaking Pakistan’s hearts!
5.03PM Over 18.2 England 132-5 (Stokes 47*) OUT! Wasim Jr picks up consolation wicket of Moeen Ali with perfect yorker
Wasim Jr. returns with a magnificent yorker, but England still manage to sneak in a single off the inside edge onto the pad. And he nails the yorker again, to dismiss Moeen Ali! Pakistan are not dead yet, as Wasim Jr finally comes to the party with his best delivery of the game. Moeen looked to just open the face of the bat and play it on the off side but inside edges onto his own stumps.
5.01PM Over 18 England 131-4 (Stokes 45*, Moeen 19*) – England need 7 off 12 balls to win the Men’s T20 World Cup
England just need two sixes off the last three overs, as Rauf comes back on in a desperate situation for Pakistan. Stokes just dabs it to the off side to give the strike back to Moeen, who has looked in far better touch today. The duo continue to knock it around as the remainder of this final looks fairly academic. Stokes will have the strike for the penultimate over of the final.
4.56PM Over 17 England 126-4 (Stokes 42*, Moeen 18*) – Moeen Ali leads England within reach of Men’s T20 World Cup title with bumper 16-run over
Wasim Jr. on now and he’s instantly dispatched over extra cover for four by Moeen Ali! That’s surely the game now, as England just need 24 from 24. Wasim Jr drops it shorter towards Moeen’s head but he beautifully hooks it to the fine leg boundary for another four! England have smashed 18 runs off the last 4 balls as Pakistan are fading away. Moeen then converts a yorker into a full toss and tucks it away to long on for a single. Stokes then places a short ball nicely into the gap between fine leg and deep square leg for another two. Wasim Jr attempts another yorker, which Stokes digs out well for one. And Moeen finishes off a productive over with a top-edge over Rizwan’s head for another four!
4.52PM Over 16 England 110-4 (Stokes 39*, Moeen 5*) – Shaheen injury sees Stokes pick up 10 runs off 2 balls against Iftikhar Ahmed
Despite the discomfort to his right knee, Shaheen is back on for his third over, with Pakistan spreading out the field on the leg side. But Shaheen is clearly struggling, pulling out of his run up at the last moment. It’s more of a hobble than a run-up now but he still manages to deliver a slower ball, full and wide, that Moeen cannot get bat on to. Sure enough, Shaheen needs to be taken off the field as any further damage to his right knee could be a major career setback. The crowd applauds him off, and the offspin allrounder Iftikhar has to finish the over. Moeen tucks it away to long on for a single. England have to target boundaries in these 4 deliveries. Stokes gives himself some room, mishits it horribly down the ground but it didn’t carry to long off! Moeen chips it in the air now and picks up another single to long on. And Stokes finally nails a delivery, with a middled cover drive smash for four! And now he tries to go all the way, just about beating a despairing leaping fielder for six over long off! Critical over for England as they’ve picked up 13 runs in the end!
4.46PM Over 15 England 97-4 (Stokes 28*, Moeen 3*) – England need 41 runs off the last 5 overs to win the Men’s T20 World Cup
Rauf on now to bowl his penultimate over, amid questions of muscle tightness, and immediately beats Stokes on the pull for a dot. Stokes then picks up a couple with a hit to midwicket but slips on the pitch once again and hobbles back. He then hits it nearly straight to Shan Masood at backward point but it falls short. Moeen on strike now and picks up an easy single towards long on, but Stokes is really struggling, having hit just 2 boundaries in a score of 24 off 33. And he plays and misses once again, with Rizwan giving a half-hearted appeal of caught behind. But Stokes has finally got the desired third boundary, beating the infield on the off side with a flat batted shot!
4.41PM Over 14 England 89-4 (Stokes 21*, Moeen 2*) – England need 49 runs off 36 balls but Stokes struggling to hit boundaries
Naseem to finish his spell and Stokes slips on the pitch in search of a quick single but Shadab’s direct hit misses the stumps! Moeen is then hurried into an unconvincing pull shot but it just about beats wide mid on for a single. England need 50 off 40 and stumbling towards the finish line, but niggling injuries to Pakistan’s pacers could come in England’s favour. Naseem is again too quick for Stokes on this wicket, with a length delivery on off stump causing Stokes to inside edge it onto his pads, before bottom edging another length delivery onto the pitch. Stokes then receives a slot delivery but drives it along the ground to mid off for another dot. Stokes finally pinches a single to keep the strike but it’s an excellent finish to what was at one point a wayward spell from Naseem Shah.
4.36PM Over 13 England 87-4 (Stokes 20*, Moeen 1*)
Shaheen is now limping off the field seeking some treatment as his right knee buckled under him when he took the catch. Meanwhile, Moeen Ali turns the strike over to Stokes, who once again struggles to clear the short cover fielder but picks up a couple in front of square. Shadab ends a brilliantly economical spell.
4.33PM Over 12.3 England 84-4 (Stokes 18*) – OUT! Shadab gets crucial breakthrough as Brook is out caught in the deep
Shadab is back on for a final tight over but continues to not seriously threaten Brook and Stokes as he isn’t offering much flight or giving many revolutions to the ball. But on his third ball, he tosses it up and wide, causing Brook to free his arms and hit over cover. Brook hits it straight to a crouching Shaheen at long off and it’s a welcome breakthrough for Pakistan! Brook’s poor tournament comes to an end at last.
4.30PM Over 12 England 82-3 (Stokes 18*, Brook 18*) – Naseem hits the deck hard, beating Brook and Stokes for pace but partnership survives
Naseem on for his third and puts out some serious heat outside off stump, beating Brook all ends up, who can only saw “wow” to the level of speed on offer. Naseem does it again the very next ball, as the required run rate slowly climbs without being anywhere near a major threat to England. But Brook connects brilliantly on the third delivery, pulling it towards the deep midwicket boundary, as a half-injured Haris Rauf does brilliantly to save the four. Naseem beats Stokes’ outside edge this time twice in a row, as Stokes gasps as well. Where was this discipline from Naseem in the powerplay? He does it again on the final ball, and this time both Naseem and Rizwan appeal for a caught behind. It’s not given but Babar reviews, unsuccessfully. Pakistan are now out of reviews but given the situation, it was worth going for.
4.25PM Over 11 England 79-3 (Stokes 18*, Brook 15*)
Shadab continues his spell and is disciplined enough to force Stokes to play out four consecutive dots, as Stokes fails to clear the infield. Stokes finally gets off strike with a soft-handed dab to the off side, and Brook will keep strike for next over with another single, as it’s another tight, incident-free Shadab over.
4.19PM Over 10 England 77-3 (Stokes 17*, Brook 14*) – England need 61 runs off 60 balls to win the Men’s T20 World Cup
Wasim Jr on for his second over amid an MCG-wide Mexican wave and keeps it tight with a yorker but a fumble from Iftikhar gifts England an easy single. But Wasim Jr errs on his fourth delivery with a full toss and Stokes, deep in his crease, times it to perfection past the diving deep cover fielder for four! England knock it around for the rest of the over and thus, only need a run-a-ball from here to win the T20 World Cup.
4.15PM Over 9 England 69-3 (Stokes 11*, Brook 11*)
Shadab resumes his spell but there’s a brief delay as Brook has a knock on the elbow from the previous Wasim Jr. over and is receiving treatment. He is good to go though, and Shadab delivers a length ball to Stokes that he mishits to deep cover for a single. Brook dances down the pitch to pick up a single to long on. Stokes then attempts a reverse sweep but under-edges it away from short third man for a welcome, fortuitous boundary!
4.09PM Over 8 England 61-3 (Brook 10*, Stokes 5*) – England’s boundaries dry up but remain ahead of required run rate
Death overs specialist Wasim Jr. comes on to hit the deck and hurry the two batsmen at the crease but Stokes and Brook both find some width early to rotate the strike. Wasim Jr. goes fuller but it’s too leg-side of Stokes and given a wide. And he gives away another extra this time, with a short and wide bouncer. Wasim Jr. is back on the money with a length ball directed on the body but Stokes bottom edges it for a quick single. Brook walks down the pitch and whips the next delivery away to cow corner for a couple. Backing away to target the off side, Brook exposes his stumps and plays and misses at another length ball. Wasim Jr. follows him again with pace on and raps him on the body, marking a decent comeback to his first over.
4.04PM Over 7 England 54-3 (Stokes 3*, Brook 7*)
Shadab Khan on now for some wrist spin and on his second ball, he draws a false shot from Brook with a delivery that turns away barely goes past the outside edge. Brook is more comfortable against the quicker length deliveries, picking up three runs off the next two. Stokes digs out an attempted yorker to long off as it’s a relatively quiet over for both sides.
4.00PM Over 6 England 49-3 (Stokes 1*, Brook 5*) – England approach 50 within the powerplay but have three batsmen back in the shed
Rauf now closes out the powerplay against Stokes and Brook, with the latter starring on Pakistani wickets in the PSL and the recent bilateral series but struggling for form during this World Cup. Brook’s confidence remains high however, as he moves across his stumps and tucks away a straight length ball past the infield to deep midwicket for four!
3.58PM Over 5.3 England 45-3 (Stokes 1*) – OUT! Rauf bags the big fish by drawing Buttler’s outside edge for a caught behind
Rauf to end the powerplay for Pakistan and is spot on again, forcing Stokes to simply defend a straight length ball back to him. He offers a bit of width on the next delivery and Stokes pounces but the mid off fielder does brilliantly to keep it to one. Rauf tries to bounce Buttler out but it’s too high and leg-side so umpire Erasmus raises his arms to signal the wide. And it’s the third ball that gets rid of Buttler at last! Massive moment for Pakistan, as Rauf draws that edge thanks to the extra bounce outside off stump. Buttler tamely offers the face of the bat, which the ball grazes before going through to Rizwan. England are three down inside the powerplay!
3.53PM Over 5 England 43-2 (Buttler 26*, Stokes 0*) – Buttler brings out the scoop against Naseem for England’s first six of the final
Naseem on for his second and is immediately finding that correct line and late movement, beating Buttler’s outside edge. But he slips back to his bad habits in his second delivery, straying far down leg side for 5 wides! “This is bowling at its unpredictable best and worst,” points out Ian Smith, as Pakistan cannot afford these extras when defending such a modest total. He resumes outside off stump though, and beats the bat once again! And he does it again, this time beating an attempted punch to the long off boundary from Buttler. Encouraged by this movement, Babar adds a slip. But Naseem goes slightly straighter, and Buttler masterfully scoops the length ball well behind the wicket for an 81-metre six! Naseem holds the earlier line and beats Buttler again, however, on the final two balls. Good over despite the wides and six for Pakistan, given the movement extracted by Naseem.
3.48PM Over 4 England 32-2 (Buttler 20*, Stokes 0*)
It’s the left-hander Stokes on now and Rauf beats him with two peaches angling away from the face of the bat. Rauf ends with a good length ball that Stokes gets bat onto but cannot beat Masood at point. This is the wicket-taking, economical over that Pakistan needed but England remain well ahead of the required rate.
3.45PM Over 3.3 England 32-2 (Buttler 20*) OUT! Rauf drops it short to remove Phil Salt for 10
Rauf as first change and he starts off with another delivery that’s too far leg side tonight as Salt simply picks it up behind square for four! The second ball is straighter, which Salt hits very hard but can’t beat mid off, either side of him and it was going to be another four. And it’s the third ball when Rauf strikes! He drops it shorter and Salt clubs it straight to Iftikhar at short midwicket, the shot was simply not on but England have now lost their second!
3.41PM Over 3 England 28-1 (Buttler 20*, Salt 5*)
Shaheen to resume his new ball spell and remains spot on with his lines and lengths, as Salt plays out a dot and is then hit on his pads. Shaheen’s loud appeal is turned down but Babar reviews, in hope more than anything else it looked like clearly hitting Salt outside leg stump. The impact is umpires’ call, however, so Pakistan retain their review. Buttler on strike now an Shaheen tries to york him, but it’s a slot delivery that Buttler times perfectly past square midwicket and wide mid on for four! “Golden touch!” exclaims Ian Bishop on commentary. Buttler takes a single with a tap to mid off, and the Shaheen-Salt battle continues with a dot followed by a single to wide mid on.
3.35PM Over 2 England 21-1 (Buttler 15*, Salt 5*) – Poor over from Naseem sees England careen well ahead of required run rate in powerplay
Naseem shares the new ball and delivers it too wide but shows wonderful seam presentation and movement to beat Buttler’s outside edge. His second ball is fuller and Buttler is quick to it, with a perfectly timed cover drive beating the infield for four! This is simply not the right line or length from Naseem in search of that swing, as it’s once again offering too much width and Buttler drives it again for another boundary! There’s a noticeable drizzle around but not enough to interrupt play as Buttler gets off strike with a dab to third man. Salt to face his first as he inside edges a delivery that’s too straight from Naseem beyond fine leg for four! Poor thinking from Naseem, points out commentator Ian Smith, as Babar had just put out another slip so it was the wrong line entirely. Salt taps it to mid on to keep strike for the third over.
3.30PM Over 1 England 7-1 (Buttler 6*) OUT! Shaheen delivers first strike with beautiful seam-up delivery that dismisses Hales
Hales and Buttler to open the batting again facing Shaheen with the new ball. Shaheen errs on the pads first up and it’s easy pickings for Buttler as he flicks it away to midwicket for three. Shaheen bowls it straighter and fuller for Hales who digs it out well between mid off and mid on for a single. Shaheen goes slightly wider angling away and Buttler inside edges it to backward square leg for a well-run two, much to Shaheen’s disappointment. But that fourth ball is a beauty, a length ball just outside off stump and beats Buttler’s bat by a whisker. His fifth ball is an attempted yorker on the pads but not executed perfectly so it’s another easy single for Buttler. And he knocks over Hales with his final delivery! It’s a lovely full ball that seams back into the right-hander’s pads, exposes the bat-pad gap and cannons into the stumps! Pakistan are coming back into this with the timely breakthrough. Hales has to go.
3.18PM England have one hand on the Men’s T20 World Cup trophy thanks to clinical display with the ball
At the halfway mark of this final with the threat of rain around, you’d have to say England have been in the ascendancy all the way through after winning the toss. Pakistan’s weaknesses against higher bounce that was evident in their losses to India and Zimbabwe came to the fore once again in front of this English seam attack. But the initial star bowling performance came from Adil Rashid, who removed two of Pakistan’s top order. Rashid further deceived the middle order with his googlies and leg breaks, picking up a wicket-maiden in the process. With a potent batting lineup and the possibility of the ball skidding on in the second innings if it drizzles a bit, England should have more than enough to chase this down without much trouble.
3.13PM Over 20 Pakistan 137-8 (Rauf 1*, Shaheen 5*) – Jordan closes out with wicket as England need 138 to win the Men’s T20 World Cup
Jordan to finish this dominant innings for England and delivers another change of pace length ball which Wasim Jr. wildly swings at and misses. He does it again, forcing another dot even as Wasim Jr. gives himself some room. It’s been four overs and 21 minutes since Pakistan’s last boundary, and Pakistan will have to continue to wait as Wasim Jr. mishits it to Livingstone at deep midwicket! Livingstone just nonchalantly throws the ball back to Jordan to finish off the over as England look to be in a hurry here. Rauf to face the fourth ball and swings but it’s only another single to deep backward square leg. And Pakistan finally have that welcome boundary with a top edge! It’s Shaheen who collects the four as his attempted pull shot goes over Buttler’s head. Last ball now for Jordan and it’s another swing and miss but Pakistan collect the bye to reach 137.
3.08PM Over 19 Pakistan 131-7 (Shaheen 1*, Wasim Jr. 4*) – Pakistan crawl past 130-run mark as Curran has 3-11 in stunning spell
This is stunning bowling, simply stunning from Curran as he shows his peers how to bowl against the tail. Conceding a single to Shaheen, he follows it up with a bouncer to Wasim Jr. followed by another single to end the best spell of the game so far, at 3-11
3.06PM Over 18.3 Pakistan 129-7 (Wasim Jr. 3*) – OUT! One-way traffic from England bowlers as Curran claims third
Curran to close out his super spell and remains on the money, conceding just 2 off his first 2 balls, and continuing the variations between short balls and the length balls. And then he delivers it full as an attempted yorker, forcing Nawaz to go for the leg-side boundary but he chips it straight to Livingstone at midwicket! This Pakistan innings has gone to pieces with them miles off what should be considered a par score at the MCG against this England batting lineup.
3.03PM Over 18 Pakistan 127-6 (Nawaz 3*, Wasim Jr. 3*)
Pakistan are getting gifted extra runs here, as Jordan should have had his second wicket of the over of Mohammad Wasim Jr. But Brook drops a regulation catch at gully and then his run-out attempt is so wayward that Pakistan pick up three on the overthrow!
3.00PM Over 17.2 Pakistan 123-6 (Nawaz 2*) – OUT! Chris Jordan gets in on the action with dismissal of Shadab Khan
Jordan for his third and changes his pace nicely as the new batsman Nawaz can only help it along to the fine leg fielder for a single. He wonderfully bowls a short one into the pitch as well for Shadab, as the extra pace and bounce beats Shadab’s attempt to flat bat it over the top. Shadab hits it straight to Chris Woakes at mid-off and Pakistan lose their sixth!
2.55PM Over 16.3 Pakistan 121-5 (Shadab 20*) – OUT! Curran ends key partnership as Masood’s brilliant innings comes to an end
Curran for his third as his short ball forces a mishit pick-up shot from Masood towards the large gaps on the leg-side, as Pakistan pick up two more runs. Masood gives himself some room but Curran holds his full and wide line, causing a play and miss. He goes full and straighter now, with Masood deep in his crease and whipping a slower ball to the leg side but it’s not timed well enough and straight to Livingstone at midwicket! Another one for the England allrounder!
2.52PM Over 16 Pakistan 119-4 (Masood 36*, Shadab 20*) – Masood and Shadab accelerate key partnership in pursuit of 160+ score
Stokes to finish his spell and tries to follow Shadab making himself some room but goes too far down leg for a wide. He goes straighter now and Shadab times it well and hard, just about evading a valiant effort from Phil Salt running towards deep extra cover for a boundary! Masood to take strike now due to a single and picks Stokes’ slower ball but can only hit it to deep cover for one. Stokes follows Shadab again who pulls towards the midwicket boundary but the fielders are better placed now and Sam Curran keeps it to three. Masood mistimes a single off Stokes’ last ball but it’s a successful 13-run over for Pakistan.
2.47PM Over 15 Pakistan 106-4 (Masood 34*, Shadab 10*) Pakistan cross 100 but need more boundaries for competitive total
Jordan for his second and there’s another delay for a concussion check as Masood cops a short one on the helmet. But he’s fine and gets off strike on the very next ball, Shadab takes a risk with slicing a length ball towards third man but it doesn’t carry and Pakistan finally reach 100. And Masood has at long last, beautifully picked a gap against a pacer, timing it perfectly to deep cover for four! He comes down the pitch to give himself some room and clears the infield again but it’s only for a single. Jordan ends the over with a poor leg side delivery and Shadab anticipates it but there’s protection at fine leg and deep backward square so it’s only another single.
2.41PM Over 14 Pakistan 98-4 (Masood 28*, Shadab 8*) – Shadab hits boundary but Rashid finishes with figures of 2-22
Rashid to close out his spell and begins with an ugly drag down that Shadab can only hit to long on for a single. Rashid overpitches on his third and Shadab punishes him this time, with a beautifully timed short arm jab that that’s laser straight down the ground for four! Pakistan need many more of those get 170 but for now, a decent partnership will do nicely. Rashid recovers well to deliver another ball spinning away from Shadab’s attempted drive and closes out what could be a title-winning spell.
2.37PM Over 13 Pakistan 90-4 (Masood 26*, Shadab 2*)
Pakistan’s best player this World Cup, leg-spin allrounder Shadab Khan, joins Shan Masood now with Pakistan falling apart. In search of a partnership, they look to continue rotating the strike and Shan pinches yet another well-made two.
2.34PM Over 12.2 Pakistan 85-4 (Masood 24*) – OUT! Pakistan reeling as Stokes dismisses Iftikhar Ahmed
Stokes to deliver his third with Pakistan reeling and in dire need of acceleration to a competitive score, as Masood pinches a single with a dab to the off side. And it’s Stokes who claims England’s fourth as Iftikhar departs for a duck! This could have been a test-match wicket as Iftikhar is undone by a classic length ball that bounced more than he expected. He simply edges the ball to Buttler, and England are bossing this final now!
2.30PM Over 12 Pakistan 84-3 (Masood 23*, Iftikhar 0*) – Rashid extracts major turn, bamboozles Iftikhar Ahmed to collect wicket-maiden
Rashid is extracting so much beautiful turn off this pitch, both towards and away from the new batsman, Iftikhar Ahmed. This time it lands on the seam and spins away twice as Iftikhar misses both times. Rashid is really putting on the squeeze here and it’s a masterful wicket maiden!
2.28PM Over 11.1 Pakistan 84-3 (Masood 23*) – OUT! Rashid strikes again by deceiving Babar with signature googly
Rashid brings the breakthrough again as Babar has to go! It’s a googly which Babar has not picked at all, trying to cut a ball that’s very close to his body and Babar has simply mishit this straight back towards Rashid, who dives to his right to take an excellent catch. Pakistan pegged back again.
2.26PM Over 11 Pakistan 84-2 (Babar 32*, Masood 23*) – Masood targets Livingstone’s leg spin with 16 run over
Livingstone for his first and his lack of turn is proving to be an issue for England on this pitch as Masood dances down the pitch and dispatching his down the ground for four! Shan follows this up with another excellent piece of footwork this time getting the elevation to smash Livingstone’s leg spin for six! Pakistan clearly looked to target the allrounder and have plundered 16 runs off this over!
2.17PM Over 10 Pakistan 68-2 (Babar 29*, Masood 11*) – Babar Azam and Shan Masood lead gradual rebuild after England’s early breakthroughs
Some more outstanding hustle running from this duo against Rashid, as Masood flicks it to the gap between long on and deep midwicket. Masood brings out the sweep too, but Rashid is bowling well to his field as Masood can only hit it to fine leg for one. Rashid cannot close out with a dot, as he first strays wide before a misfield gifts Pakistan another two as we reach drinks break.
2.17PM Over 9 Pakistan 59-2 (Babar 28*, Masood 5*)
Buttler brings on Jordan with Pakistan looking to reconsolidate their innings, and Jordan errs down leg side on Babar’s pads, as the captain tucks it away on the leg-side for four! Masood is great at finding the leg side gaps as well, picking up a two as it’s 8 runs off the first 4 balls. Giving himself some room, Masood attempts the same on the off side but can only get a single, and it’s a dot to finish.
2.13PM Over 8 Pakistan 50-2 (Babar 22*, Masood 1*)
This has been a brilliant over from Rashid, continuously bowling it at the stumps and causing Masood to play out dots, but Babar intelligently picks up some twos by repeatedly playing with soft hands to the on-side as Pakistan reach 50.
2.10PM Over 7.1 Pakistan 45-2 (Babar 18*) – OUT! Wrist spinner Rashid makes instant impact as youngster Haris holes out to Stokes
Rashid comes on and strikes immediately! A flighted delivery suckers Haris into getting the innings moving with a big shot but he simply holes out to Stokes and long on. Massive wicket for the wrist spinner and Pakistan are pegged back again.
2.03PM Over 6 Pakistan 39-1 (Babar 16*, Haris 4*) – Pakistan plod along to 39 runs off the powerplay
Woakes for his third and strays leg side again, as Babar simply picks it up to fine leg for four! Woakes goes wider and Babar mishits again but it’s out of reach of Chris Jordan in the 30-yard circle. Haris can’t read the slower delivery either, and nearly chips it to point but it falls short. Haris goes down the pitch to the next ball but plays and misses again. The scoreboard pressure relieves slightly with a leg-side wide and it seems to have helped Haris as he stays still and simply ramps a good length ball to fine leg for four!
1.58PM Over 5 Pakistan 29-1 (Babar 11*, Haris 0*)
The 21-year-old Haris is the new man at the crease, keen to continue his high-intent, high-strike rate pinch hitting. He immediately tries to take on Curran but doesn’t perfectly time his flat bat or his dab shot before playing and missing his next two deliveries. Top tier over from Curran.
1.55PM Over 4.2 Pakistan 29-1 (Babar 11*) – OUT! Sam Curran provides England’s first strike with wicket of Rizwan
Curran resumes his spell, and straightaway there’s a brief delay as Rizwan is receiving treatment, having injured his face with the helmet grille while diving to complete a single. No major damage done though but Rizwan falls with drag-on to his stumps! First blood to England and Sam Curran, as he offers some width to Rizwan but the cover drive was simply not on. Rizwan’s off-side weaknesses prove to be his undoing again and England have the breakthrough!
1.52PM Over 4 Pakistan 28-0 (Rizwan 15*, Babar 10*) – Rizwan sweeps Woakes over fine leg for first six of the final
Woakes back on and finally, Rizwan unleashes! Getting down on one knee to get underneath the bounce, he sweeps Woakes’ off-pace delivery over fine leg for a much needed, 83-metre six. England pack the field a bit more in response, and Rizwan simply taps and runs to get off strike. Babar just turns the strike back over and Rizwan plays out a dot, before tapping it to point with soft hands for another quick single. Babar tries to whip Woakes over mid on and clears him but once again doesn’t time it well enough, as Pakistan pick up three.
1.46PM Over 3 Pakistan 16-0 (Rizwan 7*, Babar 6*) – Pakistan openers struggle to attack on bouncy MCG pitch
Sam Curran on as first change and bowls it full and wide over the wicket, angling it away from Babar, who anticipates it better the second time and drives it to deep cover for one. Curran bowls it fuller on the pads to Rizwan who tucks it away to deep square leg for a couple, and pinches another quick single off the fourth. The openers have so far struggled to find boundaries on this MCG wicket, just as they did against India, and are just rotating the strike periodically. They need to get a move on, but Babar plays and misses the penultimate delivery and cops a late inswinger on his upper thigh. Excellent from Curran.
1.42PM Over 2 Pakistan 12-0 (Rizwan 4*, Babar 5*)
Woakes to share the new ball and fails to find the right line first up, a bit like Stokes, as the ball wobbles away for a wide down leg side. Wokes goes wider on the off side now, delivering it full and Babar drives it on the bounce to the short cover fielder. He goes straighter now, and Babar whips it to square leg for a single. Woakes repeats that type of delivery to Rizwan who inside edges it away to fine leg for one. Babar mistimes the penultimate delivery in the air but short of Jordan at mid on, perhaps misjudging the bounce, as the openers pick up another single.
1.36PM Over 1 Pakistan 8-0 (Rizwan 3*, Babar 3*) – Solid start for both sides as Stokes oversteps on first ball
Stokes opens the bowling for England and while he immediately finds some good shape and away movement, he also oversteps! A free hit at the outset for Pakistan, and Stokes has to bowl it again after straying too wide, but extracts excellent bounce as Rizwan misses his pickup shot. Stokes goes too leg-side once again but Rizwan can only deflect it to fine leg for two. Rizwan defends the next one to short cover, before driving one to mid off and attempting the most ill-advised single, but the fielder misses the direct hit! Babar on strike now and defends one for a dot, before cutting a short and wide one to backward point for three.
Also read: England’s Jos Buttler, Alex Hales rip India apart to reach T20 World Cup final — key takeaways