Reigning champions England produced a fine all-round display as they beat Pakistan by seven wickets at The Oval on Thursday. England restricted Pakistan to a modest 157 after winning the toss, with leg-spinner Adil Rashid, the player-of-the-match taking 2-27 from his maximum four overs.
They then made a rapid start to their chase as Phil Salt (45) and skipper Jos Buttler (39) shared a blistering opening stand of 82 inside seven overs. Harry Brook ended the game with a six off paceman Haris Rauf, the pick of the Pakistan attack with 3-38, as England finished on 158-6 to win with more than three overs to spare. Victory gave England a 2-0 triumph in a four-match T20 series where games at Headingley and Cardiff were both washed out without a ball bowled.
Pakistan’s middle order suffered a collapse in the first innings, which ultimately proved costly for the visitors.
“The first six overs, we batted well, but after I got out, the momentum shifted towards the England team because our wickets kept falling. We have to improve ourselves … the middle order has to step up,” Babar, the captain, said in the post-match presentation.
“England’s bowling was very good. They don’t give you any easy balls, so you need to take any chance … I think we need to sort out these things in the World Cup.”
The focus now shifts to the T20 World Cup, which will begin on June 1 with the United States taking on Canada in the first match. Al Jazeera will bring you all the live coverage, news, analysis and more from the tournament.
We will also bring you live coverage of the Champions League final in football, where Borussia Dortmund will face Real Madrid in the title clash in London.
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