England claim Super Over victory in Sharjah

England desires to finish its almost two-month tour to UAE to play a bilateral series against Pakistan with the win in the last T20 game at Sharjah on Monday.

England won the toss and chose to bat first, but they were made to rue their decision on the first ball of the innings when Aamer Yamin caught Jason Roy leg before on the first ball of the innings. But when Rizwan and Umar Akmal went in quick succession it was all down to the veterans Malik and Shahid Afridi.

Most watching thought Chris Woakes, who claimed the crucial wicket of Shoaib in the final over, would bowl the Super Over but England went with Jordan.

Pakistan’s reply got off to a calamitous start as David Willey (3-36) bowled Ahmed Shehzad, attempting an ugly heave across the line, and Mohammad Hafeez – whose shambolic running has been a feature of the ODI and T20I series’ – was run out.

England’s 154 for eight had relied on a late 60-run stand between James Vince and Woakes after they had slipped to 86 for six.

This winter’s highest-profile assignment will be the ICC World Twenty20 in India in March, and Morgan does not discount success there too for a fast-developing squad.

Recalling the leadership course, he said: “It was a bit uncomfortable at times, but I think everyone enjoyed it and got something out of it”.

There is a highly commendable ethos of learning plus an eagerness to explore the limits of their talent among this group of players, which must give heart to the captain and his coaching team.

The Sussex man had earlier conceded 39 runs without a wicket – the most by an England bowler – but Morgan told Sky Sports that picking Jordan was an easy choice.

Malik batted steadily not focussing on big hits due to the fact that everyone around him was crumbling, but once he was joined by Shahid Afridi and the need to score became mandatory he took the bowlers on and batted sensibly.

The 27-year-old took a wicket and held Pakistan to just three runs in the over, guiding his team to their victory. “We have had two flawless individual performances: CJ’s [Jordan’s] super over and Jos’s [Buttler’s] hundred in Dubai, two contributions that at a World Cup could change the outcome”.

Shoaib Malik’s career-best 75 had taken the hosts to the brink of victory.

Woakes struck two sixes off Anwar’s final over while Vince followed it up with a six and a boundary in the next over.

“I suppose the toughest thing we were going to encounter was the conditions – playing Pakistan on home soil is a very hard task”, said the captain.

There have also been six run-outs for Pakistan since the red ball was swapped for white.

Having made his global debut in a rained-off 50-over clash with Ireland in May, it was Vince’s first real opportunity on the world stage.