Captain Eoin Morgan smashed a 33-ball 66, joined by Yorkshire’s Dawid Malan who finished 55 not out, as England pulled off their third-highest run-chase with five balls to spare in a thrilling encounter.

After winning the toss, Captain Eoin Morgan elected to field first and might’ve regretted it as his opposite number Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Hafeez all piled on the runs.

Hafeez in particular struck a rapid 69, a knock which included five fours and four sixes.

Adil Rashid was the pick of the England bowlers, his two wickets came at a cost of 32 runs from four overs. He received little support from England’s T20 Team.

Friday nights curtailed match star, Tom Banton threatened once more, he and Jonny Bairstow put on 66 for the first wicket.

But it was Morgan and Malan who took the match to the Pakistan bowlers, Morgan striking at 200.00 throughout.

Once the captain departed, shortly followed by Moeen Ali and Sam Billings, the outcome was in doubt.

However, Malan kept his nerve and fittingly hit the winning runs off the first ball of the final over with a four through the covers. England’s T20 Team the winners.

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Babar Azam’s Strike Rate Criticism Warranted?

What did Babar Azam do wrong?

Babar Azam is supposedly the rock around which Pakistan build their T20 Team He is their captain and leader. He scored 56 of 44 in the second T20 international. However, he was subject to criticism from the media and fans alike.

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The reason is perhaps understandable. His strike rate is not the problem because he anchors the Team and smashing bowlers to all parts is not his role. However, there is likely to be frustration if once he gets set and scores a half-century, he cannot accelerate. Instead, Babar miscued one off Adil Rashid and finished with a strike rate of 127.

Watch – Babar Azam hits Adil Rashid for a boundary

From England’s T20 Team, Banton scored 20 off 16 balls. So, why was he not criticised then?

Both Teams Bowling Attacks Falter

Both England’s T20 Team and Pakistan’s T20 team had a nightmare with the ball. For a start, they bowled too many boundary deliveries. Eoin Morgan and Dawid Malan feasted for the English side. Mohammad Hafeez and Babar Azam, similarly enjoyed the freebies that were on offer.

To make things worse, Amir limped off and then could not bowl as he did not come back in time. The only positives for both sides were the two leg-spinners. Adil Rashid finished with figures of 2 for 32 from his four overs. Shadab Khan picked up 3 for 34 from his four overs. On a slow pitch, both bowled really well but did not receive enough backing from their other bowlers.

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The result gives England a 1-0 lead in the three-match series ahead of the final contest tomorrow, a day-night match also at Emirates Old Trafford.

England will be hoping to finish off the series in style ahead of the Australia tour starting on Friday. England’s preparations for the 2021 World T20 are going well, with different names stepping up from England’s T20 Team in each of the games. Tom Banton scored an excellent 71 in the first game. Captain Eoin Morgan and Dawid Malan performed in this game.

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Should different players continue to perform from England’s T20 Team, the Three Lions will remain strong favourites to win their second World T20 title in 2021. They already look a formidable outfit. This despite missing Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Joe Root and David Willey from their side.

Pakistan will want to finish on a positive note before they head home following a long summer UK stay. Pakistan have not won a match on tour yet. The narrowly lost the first test match, despite dominating most of the game. The other two tests were interrupted by weather. They would probably have lost the third test had there been a full 5 days of play.