England thrashes Pakistan to win series 2-0

UK (Commonwealth) _ England defeated Pakistan by a massive seven-wicket margin in the fourth and final T20I of the series at Kennington Oval in London. After finishing their T20 World Cup 2024 preparations on a positive note, the Jos Buttler-led team went on to win the series 2-0. Once the visitors were ordered to bat first, all of the English bowlers shared the wickets, and after only 19.5 overs, they were bowled out for just 157.

With a mere 15.3 overs to chase down the mark, the hosts secured the series by making a farce out of Pakistan’s total. The results of the series marked the conclusion of the T20 World Cup preparations for both teams, who will immediately begin their campaign for the major tournament that takes place next month.

After being assigned to bat first earlier in the day, Pakistan’s opening combination of skipper Babar Azam (36 off 22 balls) and Mohammad Rizwan (59 runs off 35 balls) got them off to a solid start. The spin combination of Adil Rashid (2/27), Moeen Ali (1/23, 2 overs), and Liam Livingstone (2/17, 3 overs) destroyed Pakistan’s middle order, though, when Jofra Archer removed Babar in the final over of the powerplay.

counterattack of Usman Khan

With their side reeling at 86/5, Fakhar Zaman (9 off 9), Shadab Khan (0 off 1), and Azam Khan (0 off 5) easily returned to the pavilion. Usman Khan made a vital innings of 38(21) full with three fours and two sixes in an attempt to get Pakistan out of their “hell hole.” Pakistan was left looking down the barrel at 126/7 as the 29-year-old holed out against Livingstone in the 15th over. Two balls later, Shaheen Afridi too lost his stumps against the off-spinner.

Jos Buttler and Philip Salt

The final five overs saw Iftikhar Ahmed (21 off 18), Naseem Shah (16 off 18), and Haris Rauf (8 off 7) take turns at the wicket to raise their team’s total to 157. With the express purpose of chasing down the goal, England skipper Jos Buttler (39 off 21) and his opening partner Philip Salt (45 off 24) rapidly added 82 runs for the wicket off only 38 balls in the second innings.

After being dismissed, Jonny Bairstow (28* off 16), Harry Brook (17* off 14), and Will Jacks (20 off 18) brought England home in just 15.3 overs to complete a seven-wicket victory. The best bowler for Pakistan was speedster Haris Rauf, who took three wickets in 3.3 overs while only conceding 38 runs. Player of the Match went to Adil Rashid after he scored 2/27 in four overs.

In the meanwhile, England will play Scotland on June 4 and Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign against the USA on June 6.

Of course, victory was felt gratefully. The news that England seemed to have regained some of its confidence ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup was altogether more pleasant, especially with the travel to Barbados on Friday approaching. England looked like the reigning champions when Jofra Archer and Mark Wood hit speeds of over ninety miles per hour, Adil Rashid bowled a spellbinding spell of leg spin, and Jos Buttler and Phil Salt hammered 78 in the opening six overs.

During a dismal six months for England white-ball cricket—including the disastrous ODI World Cup campaign and two losses in the West Indies before to Christmas. Despite all the hardships this series’ interruption has created, England still goes back to the Caribbean with the belief that they can hold onto their throne.

“The squad is feeling good,” Buttler remarked. “We got some amazing experience and a lot of guys have been in the IPL, so not short of cricket, but it would have been great to have two more games.” Though challenging, selection is a pleasant place to be. It was quite amazing to watch Wood and Archer work together today.

Playing his first game after celebrating the birth of his third kid, Buttler was especially encouraged by his bowlers’ efforts. Pakistan seemed well on their way there as Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan scored 59 during the Powerplay. The beginning of Pakistan’s downfall came when Archer got Babar caught at third man.