Captain Eoin Morgan turned half a century as England chased a record goal at Old Trafford to beat Pakistan by five wickets in the second Twenty20 international match on Sunday.
Pakistan was 195 of four in its 20 overs in a flat wicket, but the home team completed their victory with five balls to spare and a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.
Morgan threw 66 of 33 balls to secure victory in what is the highest chase in any form of cricket of more than 20 at Old Trafford.
Jonny Bairstow (44 of 24 balls) and Tom Banton (20 of 16 balls) got their team off to a quick start with a starting position of 66 in 38 deliveries, but when they fell on consecutive balls to spinner Shadab Khan (3-34), the home team seemed to falter.
But Morgan and Dawid Malan (54 no-out on 36 balls) led the fast break and accelerated as their partnership grew on third ground, finishing 112 on 62 balls before the captain was caught deep with the side still in need. 18 races to win.
Pakistan also got their runs at the top of the order when starter Babar Azam broke 56 of 44 balls in a first position of 72 with Fakhar Zaman (36 of 22 balls).
Number three, Mohammad Hafeez, continued that momentum with a searing assault on the local bowlers, who struggled to find the correct length and too often came up short, exposing the boundaries of the plaza.
Hafeez hit four sixes of his 69 from 36 balls before offering Morgan a single catch in cover.
The pick for England’s bowlers was Adil Rashid, who went 2-32 when he collected the grounds of both starters.
The third and final game of the series will be at the same venue on Tuesday. The first game was abandoned by rain.
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