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Cricket - Int News

CRICKET - Int News 14 Oct, 2022

Pakistan defeat New Zealand by 5 wickets in Tri-Nation final
Middle-order ensures Pakistan enter T20 World Cup with momentum and confidence Sports Bulletin Report Christchurch (October 14, 2022: Pakistan notched up their 21st T20I victory in 31 matches since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India 2021 when they defeated New Zealand by five wickets to win the T20I tri-series at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Friday. A blistering 22-ball 38 not out by No.4 batter Mohammad Nawaz, a quick-fire 15-ball 31 by No.5 Haider Ali and a rapid 14-ball 25 not out by No.7 batter Iftikhar Ahmed ensured Pakistan headed to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022 oozing with confidence after they achieved the 164-run target with three balls to spare. Nawaz, who scored a 20-ball 45 in the previous match against Bangladesh, clobbered two fours and three sixes, while Haider ended his run drought with an innings that included three fours and two sixes. Iftikhar joined the party when 32 runs were required from 23 balls by slapping a four and a match-winning six. The middle-order finally fired after Mohammad Rizwan (34), Babar Azam (15) and Shan Masood (19) had departed at the score of 74 for three to leave Pakistan requiring 90 runs from 51 balls. With Shadab Khan and Mohammad Wasim Jnr not required to bat on Friday, Pakistan demonstrated they have the ability and firepower in the middle-order that can take them a long way in the T20 World Cup in which Pakistan will play its Group 2 matches from 23 October to 6 November. Nawaz and Haider turned the match on its head in the 15th over after Pakistan required 67 runs from the last six overs. Haider collected 13 runs from the first four deliveries from Ish Sodhi, before Nawaz belted successive sixes as the over yielded 25 runs. Haider departed in the following over, but after striking fours off Tim Southee to reduce Pakistan’s target to 34 runs from 25 balls. Earlier, Kane Williamson scored at a strike-rate of 155 to top score for New Zealand with a 38-ball 59 that included four fours and two sixes. Glenn Phillips (29), Mark Chapman (25) and James Neesham (17) were the other notable run-getters as the home side only managed 33 runs in the last five overs against quality bowling by Pakistan. Shadab Khan conceded four runs in the 16th over, Haris Rauf gave away 10 runs in his last two overs (17th and 20th), Mohammad Wasim’s final over (18th of the innings) cost 11 runs, while Naseem Shah picked up two wickets and conceded eight runs. Haris finished with impressive figures of two for 22 runs, while Naseem Shah ended with figures of two for 38. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz gave away 63 runs in their eight overs. Pakistan will now travel to Brisbane on Saturday where they will play two warm-up matches against England (17 October) and Afghanistan (19 October). They will take on India on 23 October in Melbourne in their tournament opener. In Brisbane, they will reunite with Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Matthew Hayden. Fakhar and Shaheen will travel after completing their rehabilitation in London, while Hayden will join as the team mentor for the T20 World Cup. Scores in brief: Pakistan beat New Zealand by five wickets New Zealand 163-7, 20 overs (Kane Williamson 59, Glenn Phillips 29, Mark Chapman 25; Haris Rauf 2-22, Naseem Shah 2- 38) Pakistan 168-5, 19.3 overs (Mohammad Nawaz 38 not out, Mohammad Rizwan 34, Haider Ali 31, Iftikhar Ahmed 25 not out, Shan Masood 19, Babar Azam 15; Michael Bracewell 2-14) Player of the match – Mohammad Nawaz (Pakistan)  

CRICKET - Int News 13 Oct, 2022

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets in Tri-Nation Series
Sports Bulletin Report Christchurch (October 13, 2022): Pakistan geared up for Friday’s final against New Zealand with an impressive seven wickets victory over Bangladesh in the final league match of the T20I tri-series in Christchurch on Thursday. Mohammad Wasim Junior bowled a splendid last over to pick up two wickets conceding just three runs to restrict Bangladesh to 173 for six. Afterwards, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam produced their eighth century partnership before Mohammad Nawaz sealed the match with a 20-ball cameo as Pakistan romped home for the loss of three wickets with one ball remaining. Wasim finished with two for 33 though Naseem Shah was the most successful bowler with two for 33. Nawaz picked up one wicket for 27 runs. Litton Das (69, 42b, 6x4, 2x6) and Shakib Al Hasan (68, 42b, 7x4, 6x3) put on 88 runs in 55 balls for the third wicket after Bangladesh were reduced to 41 for two. Bangladesh collected 41 runs in the four overs between 16-19 before Wasim pulled things in the last over as the Asian neighbours scored 44 runs in the final five overs. In the run-chase, Mohammad Rizwan scored a 56-ball 69 with four fours, his 22nd career half-century, while Babar Azam struck nine fours in a 40-ball 55, his 29th career half-century. But it was Nawaz who closed the match with a 20-ball 45 that included five fours and a six. Rizwan and Babar added 101 runs for the first wicket in 76 balls, Rizwan and Nawaz put on 64 runs for the third wicket from 36 balls. Mohammad Rizwan was adjudged player of the match, his ninth award since February 2021 and ninth overall in 71 matches. While Pakistan will be content with their third victory in four matches in Christchurch, they must be worried with the continued failure of Haider Ali. Haider had the platform to perform following a century first-wicket partnership, but was dismissed for a second-ball duck. Haider has managed only 24 runs in four matches with 10 not out against New Zealand being his highest. Scores in brief: Pakistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets Bangladesh 173-6, 20 overs (Litton Das 69, Shakib Al Hasan 68; Naseem Shah 2-27, Mohammad Wasim 2-33) Pakistan 177-3, 19.5 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 69, Babar Azam 55, Mohammad Nawaz 45 not out; Hasan Mahmud 2-27) Player of the match – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) Friday fixture – Pakistan v New Zealand

CRICKET - Int News 12 Oct, 2022

England Men name Test squad for tour of Pakistan
Sports Bulletin Report Islamabad: England Men's selection panel have named a 15-strong squad for the three-match Test tour of Pakistan starting in December. Surrey all-rounder Will Jacks is called up to the Test squad for the first time after an impressive summer saw him play an integral part with bat and off-spin, helping Surrey win the LV= Insurance County Championship Division One title. Lancashire all-rounder Liam Livingstone will be looking to make his Test debut, having been called up to a Test squad for the first time since England's tour of New Zealand in the spring of 2018. Lancashire opening batter Keaton Jennings returns to the Test squad for the first time since February 2019 after a stellar summer with the red rose county, where he was the top run-scorer in Division One of the LV= Insurance County Championship, scoring1233 runs at an average of 72.52 with five centuries. Nottinghamshire batter Ben Duckett could be in line to return to Test cricket for the first time since November 2016 after impressing in the County Championship and the England Lions across the summer. Durham fast bowler Mark Wood, who is currently playing in Australia in England's campaign for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, returns to the Test squad for the first time since March, and Surrey quick Jamie Overton is included after making his Test debut earlier in the summer against New Zealand at Headingley. Nottinghamshire seam bowler Stuart Broad was not considered for selection, with his partner expecting their first child towards the end of November. ECB Managing Director Rob Key, said: "We are looking forward to touring Pakistan as a Test team for the first time since 2005. It will be a historic tour and a compelling series against a good side. "The selectors have picked a squad for the conditions we can expect in Pakistan. There is a strong blend of youth and experience and players who will adapt well to the types of pitches we are likely to get across the three-match series. "I wish the players every success, especially those new to the squad and those returning after a period of time away." England Men's Test squad: Ben Stokes (Durham-captain), James Anderson (Lancashire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Will Jacks (Surrey), Keaton Jennings (Lancashire), Jack Leach (Somerset), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Jamie Overton (Surrey), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Mark Wood (Durham) England Men's Test Tour of Pakistan Schedule: Three-day warm-up: England v Lions, 23-25 November, Zayed Cricket Complex, Abu Dhabi First Test: Pakistan v England, 1-5 December, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Second Test: Pakistan v England, 9-13 December, Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan Third Test: Pakistan v England, 17-21 December, National Stadium, Karachi

CRICKET - Int News 10 Oct, 2022

Asian Champions to be felicitated in Australia on Tuesday
BIPIN DANI Sri Lankan team won the Asia Cup in the UAE last month and the felicitation of the team members will also continue in Australia, where the team is now to participate in the T-20I World Cup. The Champions of Asia will be felicitated on October 11.      "It is an official function of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and hosted by the Sri Lanka Cricket Melbourne Association, Roshan D'Cruz, one of the committee members of the association said over the telephone. "Malik Zaveer, who is SLC's representative in Australia has invited the entire Sri Lankan team here and a Gala Dinner is hosted". "It will be an opportunity for the Sri Lankans living in Australia to interact with the Champions and seek their autographs", D'Cruz added. "We have also invited Mahela Jayawarndene, who is the consultant for the team and also Lasith Malinga, the former fast bowler, who has been working with the promising fast bowlers". Malinga is believed to have his second home in Australia and has just returned from Sri Lanka. The invitees have been asked to come in formal dress code. Felicitating the Sri Lankan team is the only official function for the team before and during the World Cup.  There was also a special plan to felicitate Maheesh Theekshana on last Thursday (October 6). The past students of Colombo's St. Benedict's College, who are now living in Australia had organised a felicitation function for Maheesh Theekshana, who also studied in the saame college. However, the ceremony had to be cancelled at the last minute, it is learnt. 

CRICKET - Int News 09 Oct, 2022

Alone Babar Azam (79 not out) looks enough for Black Caps in T20
Sports Bulletin Report Christchurch (New Zealand):-Pakistan register second back-to-back victory in the ongoing Tri-Nation cricket series after thrashing hosts New Zealand by 6 wickets, as blistering Babar Azam innings of 79 not out (53 balls) looked enough to reach the target at Hagley Oval cricket ground Christchurch, New Zealand on Saturday night. It is pertinent to mention here that Green Shirts had defeated Bangladesh by 21 runs last Friday at the same venue. Pakistan opened their innings with skipper Babar Azam and wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan to get the target of 148 runs. Mohammad Rizwan, who had earned man of the match award a day before against Bangladesh by scoring 78 runs not out in an inning, tried his best to settle his feet on the pitch but he could score only 4 runs after wasting 12 deliveries on the bowling of Tim Southee and was judged LBW. Babar Azam was in nice touch and played strokes all sides of the ground, as he faced 53 balls and hit 10 boundaries. Bowling allrounder Shahdab Khan scored 34 runs in 22 balls and aggregated 61 runs for the 3rd wicket partnership with skipper Babar Azam. Pakistan achieved their target on the 2nd ball of the penultimate over of the match. Earlier, Black Caps captain Kane Williamson decided to defend the target against Green Shirts, who had defeated Bangladesh by 21 runs a day back at the same venue, at home ground. Three small +30 runs innings, Devon Conway (36), Mark Chapman (32) and Williamson (31), helped Kiwis to get a total of 147 runs in 20 overs after losing their 8 batters. Phillips contributed 18 runs. At one stage, hosts batters were in commanding position and they were 130 for 3 in 17 overs, as it was expected the Black Caps would post over 160 runs target for the tourist team. On this occasion Shahnawaz Dahani got the important wicket of Phillips on the very first ball of 18th over, as the batter was caught by Asif Ali at midwicket boundary. Later, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim did not allow them to hit big boundaries. They conceded just 17 runs in the last three overs and sent 5 batters back to hut. Haris Rauf claimed three wickets while Mohammad Wasim trapped two kiwi batters after giving 28 and 20 runs respectively. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz (2 for44) and lanky pacer Shahnawaz Dahani (1 for 22) were other successful bowlers. Summarized Scorecard (Pakistan vs New Zealand) Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch Toss: New Zealand, elected to bat first New Zealand batting (147 for 8 in 20 overs): Devon Conway c Haider Ali b Mohammad Nawaz 36 (35 balls, 4X2, 6X2) Kane Williamson b Mohammad Nawaz 31 (30 balls, 4X1) Glenn Phillips c Asif Ali b Shahnawaz Dahani 18 (17 balls, 4X1) Mark Chapman c Mohammad Wasim b Haris Rauf 32 (16 balls, 4X3, 6X2) Pakistan Bowling: Haris Rauf (3 for 28), Shahnawaz Dahani (1 for 22), Mohammad Wasim (2 for 20), Mohammad Nawaz (2 for 44) Pakistan Batting (Target 147 runs in 20 overs): Babar Azam not out 79 (balls 53, 4X10), Shadab Khan 34 (balls 22, 4X2, 6X2), Mohammad Nawaz 16(balls 19, 4X2) New Zealand Bowling: Trent Boult (1 for 22), Tim Southee (1 for 24), Blair Tickner (2 for 42) Pakistan Playing XIs: Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (c), Shan Masood, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani New Zealand Playing XIs: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Blair Tickner    

CRICKET - Int News 08 Oct, 2022

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 21 runs in Tri-Nation Series
SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Christchurch (New Zealand):-Mohammad Rizwan scored yet another half-century as Pakistan kicked off their tri-series campaign with a 21-run win over Bangladesh at the Hagley Oval on Friday. Brilliant spells in the middle from Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Mohammad Nawaz restricted Bangladesh to 146 for eight after Pakistan posted 167 for five. This was wicketkeeper’s sixth half-century in last eight innings as he made 78 not out off 50 balls – hitting seven fours and two sixes. Rizwan and Babar Azam (22 off 25) added 52 runs for the first wicket in 7.1 overs. The ever-consistent opener then added 42 more runs with Shan Masood, who made 31 off 22. Bangladesh captain Nurul Hasan had elected to field after winning the toss and Pakistan set a 168-run target. Pakistan’s pacers were too hot to handle for the Bangladesh openers and Wasim struck in the fifth over as he accounted for Mehidy Hasan Miraz (10 off 11). His opening partner Sabbir Rahman (14 off 18) followed him the next over, getting caught and bowled off Haris Rauf. Litton Das and Afif Hossain made 35 off 26 and 25 off 23 and Yasir Ali, batting at seven, top-scored with 42 not out off 21 (five fours and two sixes). Nawaz struck on consecutive balls in the 13th over to curtail Litton’s stay at the crease. The next ball he sent Mosaddek Hossain back to the pavilion. After dismissing Taskin Ahmed and Nasum Ahmed, on the first two balls of the penultimate over, Wasim finished with three for 24. Mohammad Nawaz returned two for 25. Scores in brief: Pakistan 167-5, 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 78 not out, Shan Masood 31, Babar Azam 22; Taskin Ahmed 2-25) Bangladesh 146-8, 20 overs (Yasir Ali 42 not out, Litton Das 35, Afif Hossain 25; Mohammad Wasim Jnr 3-24, Mohammad Nawaz 2-25) Player of the match – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)

CRICKET - Int News 07 Oct, 2022

Sandeep Lamichhane innocent till proven guilty, says his lawyer
BIPIN DANI Sandeep Lamichhane is becoming the first Nepalese cricketer who will be spending at least the three nights in police custody. The 22-year-old legbreak googly bowler, who has been facing the rape allegations by a 17-year-old minor girl, was arrested immediately after he landed from the Qatar Airways flight at the Tribhuvan Internationbal Airport in Kathmandu on Thursday at around 10 in the morning. Sandeep surrendered himself and was handcuffed from the airport to the police station, though he had requested not to be hand-cuffed. "He has been sent to the Gaushala Jail, which is near to Nepal's most sacred Hindu Temple, Pashupatinath", one of the cricket sources in Nepal revealed. "He will remain in police custody until he is produced before the court on Sunday. We have Dussehra holidays till Friday and the court is closed on Saturday. We will come to know only on Sunday whether the court extends the police custody or grants bail. He is under trial now", the source further added. Shortly before his arrest Sandeep Lamichhane had promised on social media that he would fully cooperate in the investigation. He has hired the services of a prominent lawyer Saroj Ghimire, who is known to be a Lawyer for justice and committed to break all forms of conspiracy and plot and maintain high profession. Speaking exclusively, he said, "our court will hear the case on Sunday. The case has not reached a bail stage. The person is innocent till proven guilty". There was no anticipatory bail applied, confirmed the lawyer. "No anticipatory bail was applied and in this country the anticipatory bail on these types of allegations is not granted".  "Our primary concern was why Sandeep was hand-cuffed. He is not an individual but a player of an institution (Cricket Association of Nepal). He had himself surrendered and there were a number of police officials escorting him", the lawyer, who met Sandeep for about 10 minutes before being detained, added. Sandeep can be detained in this police custody maximum for a period of ten-days and then police has to apply for additional detention every time till the investigation is not over. 

CRICKET - Int News 03 Oct, 2022

Shane Watson provides possible replacement option for Jasprit Bumrah
SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Shane Watson has used the latest episode of The ICC Review to reveal which pace bowler he thinks India should include if star quick Jasprit Bumrah is ruled out of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup through injury. Bumrah is battling an ongoing back concern that caused him to miss the recent Asia Cup and has already been ruled out of the current three-match T20I series at home against South Africa. While India is still hoping Bumrah can prove his fitness and feature at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia, it remains unclear whether the right-armer will remain in India’s squad for the event. Experienced seamers Mohammad Shami and Deepak Chahar are among the players already on India's standby list for the T20 World Cup, while Mohammad Siraj is also in the mix to feature given he received a call-up to replace Bumrah for the remainder of the South Africa T20 series. Watson is adamant that Siraj is the best option for India to include if they receive the dreaded news that Bumrah will be forced to miss the 20-over showcase Down Under. "The player I would put in if Jasprit’s not available is Mohammad Siraj, because of the firepower he presents," Watson told host Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review. "Without Bumrah, that’s the one thing India won’t necessarily have, which is vital on Australian wickets on the bigger grounds with the pace and bounce. "Siraj is great with the brand new ball. He is fast, he swings the ball away but also his defensive skills are pretty good. "And he’s got better over the last couple of years, with what we’ve seen in the IPL. "So, for me he’s probably going to be the one who is going to have the most impact." Watson thinks India's chances of claiming a second T20 World Cup title will be severely hampered should Bumrah not make the trip to Australia. Bumrah took more wickets than any other India pacer at last year's T20 World Cup and it’s the 28-year-old’s versatility to bowl superbly with the new ball and at the death that Watson thinks India will miss most. "Honestly, I think it’s going to have a huge impact on India’s chances of winning the T20 World Cup,” Watson noted.  

CRICKET - Int News 02 Oct, 2022

Sri Lanka safe to host LPL , says Sanath Jayasuriya
BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka could not host the last Asia Cup in Sri Lanka due to the economic crisis and political unrest in the country, but it is now "safe" to host the forthcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL). This was revealed by former captain Sanath Jayasuriya. Speaking exclusively here in Mumbai, where the 53-year-old came to attend the second Road Show hosted by the Sri Lanka Tourism and Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Jayasuriya said, "Sri Lanka is now safer than what it was a few months ago. We will certainly host the LPL successfully and welcome the foreign players and the visitors. We want more people from the Asian countries to come and watch the matches and be satisfied with yourselves". Interestingly, Jayasuriya, who is a part of the Sri Lanka Legends team participating in the Road Safety World Series in India, came immediately playing the match against Bangladesh team in Raipur and returned to Raipur in the wee hours on Thursday to play the second Semi Final against West Indies. Chances of winning the upcoming World Cup 2022 in Australia, Jayasuriya says, "Our team is capable of winning the World Cup. Look at our recent performance in the Asia Cup. We were underdogs for the Asia Cup. When our team lost against Afghanistan, the people had written off our team and India was favourite to win it but ultimately, Sri Lankan team rose to the occasion". "Same thing had happened in the 1996 World Cup. No one had said that Sri Lanka would reach the Semi Final but we won the World Cup and therefore we urge the fans not to undermine our performance on and off the field".  

CRICKET - Int News 01 Oct, 2022

England bounce back in T20 Series, Salt smashes 88 not out in 41 balls
SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Lahore:-An unbeaten innings of 88 runs by English batter Phil Salt played a vital role in the England’s win that leveled the T20 bilateral cricket series 3-3 of the 7 fixtures at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Friday night. A sparkling innings with a strike rate of 214.63 including 13 fours and three huge sixes after facing only 41 balls, Salt had no mercy for any bowler and hit strokes bravely all around the ground and got full advantage in the first 6 overs field restrictions. Both opener Salt and Hales plundered 55 runs in 3.5 overs for the first wicket. The England openers were sensational in the powerplay, smoking the Pakistan bowlers all around the park and had accumulated 50 by the end of the third over – with Salt on 26 off 10 and Hales having blasted 23 runs off just eight balls. A wise introduction of Shadab Khan in the fourth over promised to turn the run chase on its head as the leg-spinner removed Hales on the fifth ball of the over that gave away only five runs, but Salt was unstoppable at the other end and dispatched Mohammad Nawaz for three fours and a six in the fifth over. Malan then got two boundaries off Mohammad Wasim Jnr in the sixth over, one off the edge and the other through a beautiful drive through covers as England finished the powerplay with 82 for one. Salt’s assault continued as he reached 50 in only 19 balls on the second ball of the seventh over – after having whacked Aamir Jamal, the hero of the previous T20I, for a four through covers on the previous ball. With Malan providing support from the other end, Salt continued his onslaught. Malan was LBW in the 10th over off Shadab with England just 42 runs away from the target. Ben Duckett, who has had a phenomenal series with the bat but couldn’t fire in the last match, ensured England’s run-rate never dropped and made 26 not out off only 16. Salt finished with 13 fours and three sixes next to his name in his undefeated 41-ball innings. Earlier, England skipper Moeen Ali after winning the toss for the fifth time in the series opted to chase, having made two changes to his side with Mark Wood and Chris Woakes being replaced by Reece Topley and Richard Gleeson. Despite a bad start to their innings with debutant Mohammad Haris and Shan Masood out by 3.2 overs, Pakistan, courtesy a fantastic 87 not out at a strike rate of 147 from captain Babar Azam, posted a respectable 169 for six in allotted 20 overs. Pakistan could muster only five runs in the first two overs and despite Haris, who replaced injured Mohammad Rizwan in the line-up – swatting Gleeson for a six over his head could not get going as the wicketkeeper was caught at short third-man, attempting a ramp. Shan, shuffling across, was trapped LBW off David Willey and with Pakistan two wickets down for only 15 was when Babar decided to attack the visitors and smashed the left-arm fast bowler for two fours on the last three balls. As Haider started to look good, a short-ball from Sam Curran curtailed his stay in the ninth over that brought Iftikhar Ahmed in the middle. It seemed like Iftikhar had come with the intention of going after Adil Rashid. He picked the leg-spinner’s googly with ease and dispatched it for a boundary between the long-on and deep mid-wicket fielders. The next Adil over – 12th of the innings – he clubbed the ball down the ground for a six. But the highlight of his innings came in the 14th over when he hit Adil for a gigantic six over deep mid-wicket that sent the jam-packed Gaddafi Stadium crowd in a frenzy and brought up Pakistan’s 100. Gleeson started the 16th with long-on and long-off up in what seemed like a challenge thrown to Asif to test his batting skills against short-pitched balls. Asif smashed Gleeson for a four over mid-on and two balls later Babar deposited the right-arm pacer over long-on to become the joint fastest, with Virat Kohli, to breach the 3,000-run mark in the format. From this point, the fans were in for a Babar masterclass. The artful strokemaker beautifully worked a full toss over cover for a maximum in the 17th over. Pakistan gathered 19 in the last over, bowled by Topley, and it was Babar who provided the momentum – helping a slower bouncer to the fine-leg boundary on the first ball and drilling the ball in the slot over long-on for a six the next. Mohammad Nawaz added six more to the total with a swat over mid-wicket on the penultimate ball and holed out to long off the final ball. Green Shirts closed their innings at the score of 169 for 6 in 20 overs per innings fixture. Summarised Scorecard: England beat Pakistan by 8 wickets Toss: England won and decided to bowl first Pakistan Batting (169 for 6 in 20 overs): Babar Azam 87 runs not out (balls 59, 4X7, 6X3), Iftikhar Ahmed 31 runs (balls 21, 4X2, 6X2), Haider Ali 18 runs (balls 14, 4X1, 6X1), Mohammad Nawaz 12 runs (balls 7, 4X0, 6X1) England Bowling: Sam Curran (2 for 26), David Willey (2 for 32), Reece Toplay (1 for 31), Richard Gleeson (1 for 39) England Batting (Target 170 in 20 overs): Phil Salt 88 runs not out (balls 41, 4x13, 6x3), Alex Hales 27 runs (balls 12, 4X4, 6X1), Ben Duckett runs 26 not out (balls 16, (4X4, 6X0), Dawid Malan 26 runs (balls 18, 4X5, 6X0) Pakistan Bowling: Shahdab Khan (2 for 34) Player of the match: Phil Salt (England) Next match on Sunday at the same venue
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