Pakistan could manage to score meagre 137 runs by losing eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs in the final of T20 World Cup being played at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Pakistan score 121 for five wickets in 17th over
Pakistani batters struggled to hit freely against some disciplined England bowlers as they scored 121 runs by losing five in 17th over.
Iftikhar Ahmed was out for naught and Shan Masood was caught for 32 runs off 28 balls.
Pakistan loses Babar
Pakistan lost captain Babar Azam in the 12th over caught on his own bowling by leg-spinner Adil Rashid. He scored 32 runs off 28 balls. Pakistan were 84 for three wickets in 12 overs.
After 10 Overs
Pakistani batters made 68 runs at the loss of two wickets. England have just not allowed Pakistan to break away from their control, on a pitch that seems a little two-paced. Here’s Chris Jordan. Round the wicket to Masood.
After 5 Over
Pakistan side made 29 runs at the loss of one wicket in the first five overs.
Babar Azam and Muhammad Haris are now facing England’s bowling attack in the powerplays. Sam Curran to Rizwan. OUT. Bowled him, Rizwan’s dragged on! Fullish, slanting into a wide-ish line, inviting the cover drive. Nips back in off the pitch, and Rizwan, going hard with a diagonal bat, can only get his inside edge to it
England won the toss and opted to field first in the ICC T20 World Cup final being played at an overcast Melbourne Cricket Stadium on Sunday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
After winning the toss, England Captain Jos Buttler said their team was unchanged for the final.
Talking after losing the toss, Pakistan captain Babar said he would have bowled first had he won the toss. “Anyway, we’ll now try to put runs on the board and put pressure on the opponents. The way the team is playing is outstanding. History repeats [from 1992]… we’ll do our best.”
He further said Pakistan are unchanged too for the final.
Rain was widely forecast but had yet to arrive with a minimum of 10 overs per side needed to constitute a game, compared to five during the group stages.
If the match starts but cannot be finished, it will resume on Monday from where it was halted.
England, the 50-over World Cup champions who are looking to add to their sole T20 crown in 2010, named an unchanged side with batsman Dawid Malan and pace bowler Mark Wood still not fit, meaning Phil Salt and Chris Jordan retain their places.
Pakistan are also searching for a second T20 title after winning the tournament in 2009 and, like England, named an unchanged side.
England: Jos Buttler (capt), Alex Hales, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI), Marais Erasmus (RSA)
TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)
