- Pakistan faced defeat against England in the second T20I, falling short by 23 runs.
- Fakhar Zaman’s explosive 45 off 21 balls wasn’t enough to secure victory for Pakistan.
- Jos Buttler’s captain’s knock of 84 runs propelled England to a competitive total.
In a thrilling encounter at the Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, Pakistan found themselves on the losing side as they fell short of the target set by England by a mere 23 runs in the second T20I of the four-match series. The match showcased moments of brilliance from both sides, but ultimately, it was England who emerged victorious, securing their eighth win in the last 11 T20Is against Pakistan.
Led by skipper Babar Azam, Pakistan’s chase of 184 started off promisingly, but a disciplined English bowling attack managed to dismantle their batting lineup. Despite a valiant effort from Fakhar Zaman, who played an explosive knock of 45 runs off just 21 balls, Pakistan couldn’t muster enough partnerships to see them through to victory. Babar Azam contributed 32 runs to the cause, but it wasn’t sufficient to bridge the gap.
Contributions from Iftikhar Ahmed and Imad Wasim down the order provided some hope, but England’s bowlers held their nerve to restrict Pakistan to 160 runs, clinching the win for their team.
Reece Topley was the pick of the bowlers for England, claiming three crucial wickets. He was ably supported by Moeen Ali and Jofra Archer, who bagged two wickets each, while Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, and Liam Livingstone chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Earlier in the match, it was Jos Buttler who stole the show with a captain’s knock, scoring a magnificent 84 runs off 51 balls. His innings, peppered with eight fours and three sixes, not only propelled England to a competitive total but also saw him achieve a personal milestone of 3,000 runs in T20I cricket, a feat accomplished by only a select few in the format.
Despite an early setback with the dismissal of Phil Salt, England staged a remarkable recovery, courtesy of a resilient partnership between Buttler and Will Jacks, who added 71 runs to the scoreboard. Though Pakistan fought back admirably, with notable performances from bowlers like Haris Rauf, Imad Wasim, and Shaheen Afridi, England managed to post a challenging total of 183/7 at the end of their innings.
Shaheen Afridi led the bowling attack for Pakistan, claiming three crucial wickets, supported by Imad Wasim and Haris Rauf, who picked up two wickets each. However, the efforts of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Amir went unrewarded as they failed to make a breakthrough.
The match provided a gripping display of cricket, with both teams showcasing their skills and resilience. While Pakistan will be ruing missed opportunities, England will take confidence from their victory as they look ahead to the remainder of the series. As the battle between these cricketing giants continues, fans can expect more exhilarating encounters in the matches to come.