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| Second Twenty20, Emirates Old Trafford |
| Pakistan 195-4 (20 overs): Hafeez 69 (36), Babar 56 (44) |
| England: 199-5 (19.1 overs): Morgan 66 (33), Malan 55 * (36); Shadab 3-34 |
| England won by five wickets; 1-0 lead in series |
| Scorekeeper |
England brilliantly chased 196 to beat Pakistan by five wickets in the second Twenty20 international match at Emirates Old Trafford.
Captain Eoin Morgan broke a 66 of 33 balls and Dawid Malan 55 was not out as England completed their third highest chase with five balls to spare.
The pair added 112 in 62 deliveries after England lost starters Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton on successive balls to Shadab Khan.
At 18 needed England stuttered briefly, losing Morgan and Moeen Ali in six-ball space, but the cool-headed Malan saw them at home.
It was another excellent hitting performance by England’s white ball team – the highest chase by either side against Pakistan in T20.
He also made up for an erratic bowling performance that allowed Mohammad Hafeez to propel Pakistan to 195-4 with 69 of 36 balls.
England, who have won their last five T20 series, will take a 1-0 lead in Tuesday’s series finale on the same field.
Morgan and Malan lead another impressive chase in England
Halfway through, it looked like England bowling was going to cost them. Instead, Morgan and Malan led them to victory with remarkable ease.
It was England’s second chase out of 190 this year, after they went 226-5 to beat South Africa in February.
Bairstow, who hit 44 on 24 balls, and Banton gave England a platform (their starting position of 66 runs came from 6.2 overs), but Morgan and Malan combined for a partnership full of skill and experience.
Morgan narrowly survived an lbw appeal on Shadab’s double wicket (a referee’s call on impact meant the decision not to be on the field stood) and then took control of the game brilliantly.
He and Malan took time out to play before taking the 18 of 12 to rekindle the chase.
Pakistan was hampered by the loss of Mohammad Amir to an apparent hamstring injury and the England pair splashed over the boundary with ease. Morgan hit three big sixes to the sides of the legs as Malan cut and went through the spot.
Morgan hit the edge of the thin leg at 17 and Moeen jumped to the middle of the wicket, but an England win seemed likely from far away. Malan rightly hit the winning runs with excellent coverage of four.
Hafeez assault shows England’s attack still needs work
Malan is one of the players trying to consolidate his place in the XI and make the most of the absence of the regulars who are absent after the test tasks. He took his chance, but the bowlers didn’t.
Seamers, Saqib Mahmood, Tom Curran and Chris Jordan started off whimsically, allowing Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman to get into a 72-run starting position with relative ease.
The ever-reliable Adil Rashid ruled both out – Fakhar skied to mid-deep at 36 and Babar hit a short ball to mid-deep after hitting 56, but even he offered limit opportunities.
The pitch turned out to be good for hitting, but England’s tactic seemed poor. His cutters and short balls were repeatedly hit against the rope, with Hafeez being the main beneficiary.
England opted for the Yorkers in the end and it proved effective. She also raised questions about why they didn’t use the tactic earlier.
‘This England team knows how to win’ – what they said
England captain Eoin Morgan told BBC Sport: “We are delighted. Halfway through the stage we thought there were a lot of races to pursue, but we found that when we gained momentum with the associations, it was difficult to prevent us from scoring. It’s good to come out on the other side.”
About the competition for places: “We have a lot of guys who could get to our best XI, and we’re still looking to grow the team as much as we can for that World Cup.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan: “It was a great game of cricket. Both teams have done their part.
“England went after her with so much control and ease. It was a very comfortable victory, in the end. This English team knows how to win, no matter what format it is. This white ball team under Eoin Morgan plays with such clarity and confidence.”
England bowler James Anderson: “Thank you to the England hitters – they were fantastic throughout. Dawid Malan and Eoin Morgan’s partnership was world class.
“Like Eoin Morgan, Dawid Malan reads the game very well. He caught the right shots from the right balls. The way he scored his innings was really impressive.”
Pakistan hitter Mohammad Hafeez: “We don’t execute the skills in bowling, according to plan.”
