England chased down 196 in 19.1 overs as they defeated Pakistan in the second T20I after the first one was washed out due to rain. England has taken a 1-0 lead in what effectively is just a two-match T20I series. Bowlers from both sides didn’t perform well but the pitch was such a belter that they had no chance.
On the other hand, the batsmen enjoyed the conditions and made full use of them. The likes of Babar Azam, Eoin Morgan, Mohammad Hafeez, and Dawid Malan scored half-centuries in a high-scoring game. England would be really happy that they chased down a huge total with the utmost ease.
Pakistan would be wondering what went wrong as the English batsmen took the game away from them in no time. Looking forward to the last T20I of the series, Pakistan will be hoping to win at least one game on this tour and level the series before leaving England. The match will be held at the same venue and the fans will be hoping that the pitch is similar and the rain stays away so that they can witness another high-scoring encounter.
Match Details
England vs Pakistan, 3rd T20I
01st September, 10:30 PM IST.
Old Trafford, Manchester
Pitch and Weather Report
The weather might be cloudy but the good news is that there might not be rain on the matchday but with the English weather you can’t predict anything.
The pitch was a belter in the 2nd T20I and most probably it would be of the same nature. In that case, both the teams would like to chase as setting a target on this pitch seems a difficult task.
Squads
England
Eoin Morgan (C), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Moeen Ali, Joe Denly, Tom Curran, Lewis Gregory, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid
Pakistan
Babar Azam (C), Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Haider Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Wahab Riaz
Team News
England
Eoin Morgan led from the front as he smashed 66 off just 33 balls which took Pakistan out of the game. Dawid Malan’s T20 numbers are insane and he is living up to the expectations. The openers Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton gave the perfect start which is required for a big chase.
The only concern for the England team was the performance of the bowlers but you can’t complain as there was no help in the pitch. Even though Saqib Mahmood and Lewis Gregory took a beating, England might continue with them considering that there is only one game remaining.
Pakistan
Babar Azam showed why he is the No.1 T20I batsman in the world but he got out at the wrong time. Mohammad Hafeez, whose place in the side was being questioned as replied in the best possible manner as he scored 69 off just 36 balls which helped Pakistan reach 195-4 in the first place.
Iftikhar Ahmed, disappointed with the bat and the ball, and his selection might come in question. Mohammad Amir’s fitness would be a huge issue as he limped off the field after bowling two overs. Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf were the only Pakistan bowlers who had a good game.
Fantasy Prediction
Babar Azam, Eoin Morgan, Tom Banton, Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Chris Jordan, Haris Rauf, Adil Rashid
Captain: Babar Azam, Vice-Captain: Eoin Morgan
