Led by Jos Buttler’s 84, England trumped Pakistan in the second T20I in Edgbaston. (AP Photo)
After a washed out opening contest, England stepped up on their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024 with a 23-run win over Pakistan in the second T20I at Edgbaston on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, England skipper Jos Buttler shepherded the innings with a 51-ball 84 after weathering the new ball threat from Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Amir. Buttler completed 3000 T20 runs during the knock and also equalled Eoin Morgan as the most-capped Englishman in the format.
With cameos from Will Jacks and Jonny Bairstow around Buttler, England threatened to set up a high total before a collapse sent them from 144 for two to 183 for seven in five overs. While Afridi and Amir nailed their late spells and eventually accounted for five wickets, England blunted leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who conceded 0/55 in his four overs.
Some way to go to fifty 😍
Live score/clips: https://t.co/Ad8Vmllvyb
🏴 #ENGvPAK 🇵🇰 @JosButtler pic.twitter.com/skwT8kW7rQ
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 25, 2024
In reply, Pakistan openers Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub fell cheaply within the Powerplay before Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman pulled them out of imminent trouble. The duo added 53 runs for the third wicket before Moeen Ali trapped Babar leg-before on 32. While Fakhar offered a semblance of a counter with a streak of fours and sixes, a mounting asking rate and constant wickets at the other end cast his downfall on 45 off 21 deliveries.
The smile we’ve been waiting to see! 😃
Live score/clips: https://t.co/Ad8Vmllvyb
🏴 #ENGvPAK 🇵🇰@JofraArcher pic.twitter.com/seCMLmM3jB
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 25, 2024
Pakistan were 100 for six before Iftikhar Ahmed and Imad Wasim showed signs of a late resurgence with a string of big hits. However, Reece Topley snapped up the hard-hitting Iftikhar before the rest of the lower-order followed. Returning from a year-long injury layoff, Jofra Archer picked up two wickets to round up England’s comprehensive win.
The teams will meet in the third T20I of the five-match series on Tuesday in Cardiff.
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