England win by three runs, claim T20 series v Pakistan

England wrapped up victory in the T20 series against Pakistan after a thrilling three-run victory in Dubai. Afridi’s frenetic 24 from a barely believable eight (legitimate) deliveries, including successive sixes suddenly made Pakistan favourites for the victory.

England, who won the toss, slumped to 19 for three before James Vince, who made 41 on his debut, shared a third-wicket partnership of 76 with captain Eoin Morgan.

Buttler and Vince are facing Pakistani bowlers with care and trying hard to maintain the run rate which is now going above seven runs per over.

“But we have to improve our fitness and fielding before the World Twenty20 (next year in India)”.

While he then fell, slicing a drive to third man where he was well held by a nerveless Liam Plunkett, Sarfraz Ahmed took up the challenge.

Leg-spinner Shahid Afridi, who took 3-15 in his four overs, derailed the England batting after they looked well-set at 32-0 in the fourth over.

Jos Buttler’s record-breaking 46-ball century in Dubai last Friday followed maiden ODI hundreds for openers Alex Hales and Jason Roy on this trip – and Morgan anticipates much more to come.

Rashid added the scalp of Rafatullah Mohmand (23 off 24), also stumped, and bowled Sohaib Maqsood for two, with Plunkett picking up the vital wicket of Mohammad Hafeez (25 off 20) in between.

However, Buttler felt the whole evening should have been a little less stressful, as England nonetheless won for the second time in as many days and fifth in white-ball cricket over the past two weeks against Pakistan.

“It was great character from Woakes after that over he bowled to Afridi”.

England will now take an unassailabe 2-0 series lead into the final T20 on Monday in Sharjah.

Vince continued last season’s form, when he made more T20 runs (710 at 59.6) than any player in the history of England’s domestic T20 competition.

Tanvir (25no), Wahab (21) and Anwar Ali (20) gave England a scare but needing 20 to win from Topley’s final over, Pakistan amassed just five before Topley polished off the innings with the last ball, Imran snicking behind.

Buttler threatened to up the ante until his attempted ramp shot backfired with a tame edge behind off Tanvir, and England’s effort petered out until Woakes hit 13 of 14 runs off Wahab Riaz’s final over. Plunkett was also named the man of the match for his three-wicket haul.

“In county cricket, we just don’t have a good enough tournament for guys to be exposed to it as often as we’d like”.

“I missed the chance”.

“As long as that continues, and we’re really honest with ourselves and learn along the way, it will hold us in good stead for the Twenty20 World Cup”.