Pakistan were handed a crushing seven-wicket defeat by England in the fourth and final T20I of the series on Thursday, May 30 at Kennington Oval, London. As a result, the Jos Buttler-led side clinched the series by a margin of 2-0 to finish their T20 World Cup 2024 preparations on a high. After being put in to bat first, the visitors were bundled out for just 157 in 19.5 overs as all the English bowlers hared the wickets among them.
In reply, the hosts made a mockery of Pakistan’s total chasing down the target in just 15.3 overs and sealed the series. The series brought an end to the preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup for both teams as they will straight away get on with their campaign in the mega event next month.
Earlier in the day, after being asked to bat first, Pakistan got off to a good start by their famed opening duo of captain Babar Azam (36 off 22) and Mohammad Rizwan who added 59 runs for the first wicket off 35 balls. However, after their stand was broken by Jofra Archer, who dismissed Babar in the last over of the powerplay, Pakistan’s middle order crumbled against the spin trio of Adil Rashid (2/27), Moeen Ali (1/23, 2 overs) and Liam Livingstone (2/17, 3 overs).
Usman Khan’s counter-attack in the middle overs
Fakhar Zaman (9 off 9), Shadab Khan (0 off 1) and Azam Khan (0 off 5) returned to the pavilion cheaply leaving their side reeling at 86/5. Usman Khan tried his best to get Pakistan out of their ‘hell hole’ with a crucial innings of 38 (21) laced with three fours and two sixes. The 29-year-old holed out against Livingstone in the 15th over and two balls later Shaheen Afridi also lost his stumps against the off-spinner as Pakistan were left staring down the barrel on 126/7.
Jos Buttler and Philip Salt’s electrifying start
Iftikhar Ahmed (21 off 18), Naseem Shah (16 off 18) and Haris Rauf (8 off 7) occupied the crease for the last five overs to take their team’s total to 157. In the second innings, England captain Jos Buttler (39 off 21) and his opening partner Philip Salt (45 off 24) came out with a clear intent of chasing down the target quickly adding 82 runs for the wicket off just 38 balls.
Following their dismissals, Will Jacks (20 off 18), Jonny Bairstow (28* off 16) and Harry Brook (17* off 14) guided England home in just 15.3 overs and sealed a seven-wicket win. Speedster Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan who accounted for all three wickets to fall giving away 38 runs in 3.3 overs. Adil Rashid was awarded Player of the Match for registering figures 2/27 in four overs.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will start their World Cup campaign against the USA on June 6 while England will take on Scotland on June 4.