Advertisement

England’s series win in Pakistan raises hopes for World Cup

England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - GETTY IMAGES
England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - GETTY IMAGES

There was barely anyone left as Moeen Ali lifted the series trophy after England’s walkover win disappointed a sell out crowd but there was a significance to this tour that went beyond the result.

There will be relief it passed off without incident off the field and the main success of the past fortnight is that England are back playing cricket in Pakistan again after 17 years and should return without too much trepidation for December’s Test series.

The much-anticipated decider was a bit of a dud, England’s clinical 67 run win was a proper thumping, and a 4-3 series win should have been better. England fluffed two run chases in a row to go 3-2 down but they were excellent in the last two games, winning both by a country mile and their ups and downs did ensure a seven match series held its interest to the end.

It is a welcome boost for coach Matthew Mott, who takes England to Australia for the World Cup on the back of his first series win since the retirement of Eoin Morgan and after a tour on which players have been thrown together with few distractions and time to gel.

Ali (C) - England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - GETTY IMAGES
Ali (C) - England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - GETTY IMAGES

The only disappointment is that neither Alex Hales nor Phil Salt nailed down the place to open with Jos Buttler but Liam Livingstone, Ben Stokes and Chris Jordan bolster them in Australia. Buttler too. He should be fit for next Sunday’s game against Australia in Perth, the cricket merry-go-round not slowing down one jot.

“It is very pleasing,” said Moeen.”If you look at the last two games, both must-win games, going into a World Cup that’s really important, the pressure of being able to perform was huge. We lost two games chasing low scores we should have won and we look back and think we would have won 6-1 so we were disappointed with those two in particular.

“It has been amazing to be back and playing here once again after 17 years. It was a big thing for us to come here. It was a privilege to be here and play cricket here.”

Pakistan were hopeless on their big night, dropping three simple catches as they struggled with the pressure before subsiding lamely when they lost Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan within eight balls of the reply.

Azam (R) Rizwan (L) - England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - GETTY IMAGES
Azam (R) Rizwan (L) - England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - GETTY IMAGES

Those two combined for 601 runs in the series, over 100 more than the rest combined, and Pakistan’s soft underbelly started at no 3. They laboured  to 142 for eight, England’s bowling was just too clever and accurate on the night. The seamers were all excellent and Mark Wood, their matchwinner was not missed. He was rested with bigger games to come.

Dawid Malan was the mainstay of the England innings with 76 off 46 but Harry Brook played some sumptuous shots again, slotting four sixes in an unbeaten 46, his breakthrough series finishing on a high. Together they put on 108 in 61 for the fourth wicket.

Hales and Salt carried on where they left off on Friday with a blistering start with 35 off the first three overs but neither stayed in. Hales was lbw for 18 off 13 and Salt run out. Malan was a bit dozy and didn’t keep his eye on the ball when it squirted to third man, he sent back Salt who was beaten by a direct hit and not happy with his partner.

Duckett was outstanding for his 30 off 19, the highlights coming against leg spinner Shadab Khan and included a reverse sweep in front of square for four and a dance down the pitch for a straight six. It took a brilliant run-out to stop him. Duckett underedged, the ball bounced up and Rizwan whipped off the bail while Duckett was still in his follow through.

Malan (R) Brook (L) - England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - AP
Malan (R) Brook (L) - England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - AP

England did not lose another wicket: Pakistan dropped three absolute dollies and Mohammad Hasnain let one through his legs on the boundary as they became ragged.

Babar was guilty for two. He dropped Malan at cover on 29 when he drilled a drive off the off spinner Iftikhar Ahmed, and fluffed a skier off Brook on 24 when he mistimed Haris Rauf’s slower ball.

Malan struggled with the low bounce in Karachi but has been better in Lahore, and this innings will give him confidence for Australia. It beds him in at no 3 and ensures it is a shootout for one slot to open with Jos Buttler.

He hit eight fours and three sixes, pulling powerfully when Pakistan’s quicks banged it into the surface. England coasted against the spinners, and the attack was held together by Haris Rauf and Hasnain. The weak link was Mohammad Wasim, smacked for 61, including two sixes in the final over of the innings.

There was total silence in the stadium with the golden boys Babar and Rizwan gone in the blink of an eye. The match was done by the end of the powerplay, with Pakistan 33 for three and sinking.

Woakes (C) - England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - AP
Woakes (C) - England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - AP

Babar poked Chris Woakes to cover off the last ball of the first over, Reece Topley bowled Rizwan with a booming, full inswinger and David Willey dismissed Iftikhar aiming a cut at a short ball.

Shan Masood was picked on the back of a good Blast season for Derbyshire but there is a big difference belting county cricket and England bowlers around instead. He grafted to 56 off 43 when Pakistan needed aggression. Nobody could provide it for long enough.

Adil Rashid grabbed his first wicket in four games - Khushdil Shah stumped down the leg side - and benefitted from the seamers doing their job in the early overs. Woakes bowled as you would expect from him for an unfussy two for 26 and Willey had his best game of the tour. The same cannot be said for Pakistan.


Pakistan vs England seventh T20: as it happened


07:36 PM

Player of the match, Dawid Malan speaks

We saw this as a final and the last game as a semi-final and so to be able to do it under pressure and put on a big score like that was fantastic for us as a batting unit.

We felt the first 12-14 overs it was coming on really nicely and then it slowed quite a lot towards the end. We actually found it quite tough in those last five overs.

Luckily our bowlers learned the lessons, bowling into the pitch, slower balls, changing up the pace and they bowled fantastically well to defend that.

We were given a break here and there some of the guys, it's been pretty tough. I think we're looking forward to getting to Australia and having a couple of days off - but it's been fantastic to be here.

Malan - England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - GETTY IMAGES
Malan - England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - GETTY IMAGES

07:25 PM

That winning feeling

England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - AP
England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - AP
England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - GETTY IMAGES
England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - GETTY IMAGES
England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - GETTY IMAGES
England cruise to victory over Pakistan in T20 series decider - GETTY IMAGES

07:14 PM

Over 20: Pakistan 142/8 (Hasnain 4, Rauf 1)

England win by 67 runs. 

Well a fantastic series comes to an end with England taking a famous win!

That was Pakistan's fourth biggest defeat in international T20s.

Things were really against England when they lost the toss, but everyone in the side really stepped up when it mattered!

A real clinical performance across all departments- now attention turns to Australia...


07:11 PM

Over 19: Pakistan 135/7 (Wasim 5, Shan 56)

Yet again, Pakistan register single runs, either side of dot balls, from the first couple of deliveries from Chris Woakes.

Then Shan, does punish a full toss from Woakes for a boundary, before he is then dismissed with the next ball.


07:08 PM

Wicket!

Wasim b Willey 

England are relentless, two wickets in two balls for the visitors! As Willey follows the final delivery of Woakes in the previous over!

The Pakistani batter tried to ramp the ball up and over the stump, but he misses it by some distance before it hit the top of the stump.


07:06 PM

Wicket!

Shan c Rashid b Woakes

Even though, Chris Woakes takes the wicket, it has more to do with the excellent catch from Rashid!

It was a beautiful, diving catch!

An absolutely stunning catch from Rashid!


07:03 PM

OVER 18: Pakistan 129-6 (Wasim 4, Shan 51)

Curran enters into the attack once more as Shan begins the over with an excellent shot over cover for 4.

A wide follows before Shan hits one for a couple of runs from the next two balls, bringing his half-century up.

The visitors call for a review against Shan caught behind by Phil Salt, but from the review it's clear there's no bat involved.

However, the wicket of Nawaz is taken but Wasim comes in to blast one straight down the ground for four.


06:56 PM

WICKET!

Nawaz c Woakes b Curran

Another one bites the dust and Sam Curran has a wicket this evening. As Nawaz fails to get all of the delivery and it flies out into the grasp of Chris Woakes who is deep in the field.

This game is done.


06:53 PM

OVER 17: Pakistan 116/5 (Nawaz 9, Shan 44)

I feel like a broken record, when I say another over comes and goes without a boundary being scored. It's four singles, a dot ball and a wide is all that comes from the bowling of Reece Topley.

Pakistan need 100 runs off 21 balls- I don't like to tempt fate but I can't see Pakistan making that.

It's so disappointing how this game will end.


06:50 PM

News from the press box

Shadab Khan will not come out to bat. He sustained a hamstring strain whilst fielding.

Things just go from bad to worse for Pakistan...


06:49 PM

OVER 16: Pakistan 107/5 (Nawaz 3, Shan 42)

David Willey on 49 T20I wickets returns to England's attack and you have to say the atmosphere has been almost drained from the stadium.]

As the hosts don't seem to be willingly to go out in a blaze, but would prefer to be bowled out with a whimper; you feel there is going to be a lot of criticisms of Pakistan's approach to this game.

Three singles, a dot ball and a couple of runs from Shan off both of the final two deliveries is all that comes.


06:44 PM

OVER 15: Pakistan 100/5 (Nawaz 1, Shan 37)

Chris Woakes comes back into  the attack with Pakistan needing 118 runs from 36 balls

It is so silent in Lahore..

However, it is rare boundary from the hosts as Asif Ali pulls a four round the corner.  Then, he lashes at one next but it doesn't quite connect and he only gets a single.

Then, the wicket of Asif is taken with a simple catch from Topley and a brilliant short ball delivered by Woakes. Nawaz enters the crease and plays a decent shot for a single off the first ball faced.

The hosts are heading for a big defeat here in Lahore.


06:41 PM

WICKET!

Asif c Topley b Woakes

That short ball is working a treat for England

We keep hearing that Asif is a big hitter but he sadly departs for just 7, as Chris Woakes takes so much pace off the delivery and  the batter seems to pick out Topley in the field.


06:37 PM

OVER 14: Pakistan 92/4 (Asif 2, Shan 35)

Sam Curran is back into the attack and after a dot ball he is wide with  his second delivery.

However, both batters hit singles with the required rate now being 19.66 runs over

It was a tidy set from Curran- Pakistan need to be hitting sixes right now..


06:34 PM

OVER 13: Pakistan 86/4  (Asif 0, Shan 33)

Adil Rashid comes into ball again, however he is spanked over deep midwicket by six from his first ball. However, he is able to get his man with his second ball after their feintest of edges- but of course England will take that!

Four dot balls then follow after a sublime over of bowling from the England spinner.


06:32 PM

Wicket!

Khushdil c Salt b Rashid

Khushdil goes to the second ball of Rashid's after the barest of edges.

However, Phil Salt knew he had got his man though and after Pakistan review, the ultra-edge spike clearly shows the contact


06:29 PM

OVER 12: Pakistan 80/3 (Khushdil 21, Shan 33)

Khushdil swipes at Reece Topley's first delivery for a single, before Shan is unable to find any gap or timing with his shots.

Then Khushdil again fails to connect properly with Topley's next delivery , as he is only able to secure a single, before leg byes comes next.

The required run out is now over 16, but I'm afraid to say the batters don't like finding many boundaries here. The hosts are so painful to watch at the moment, the batters timings are all off and boundaries seem to impossible to come by.


06:24 PM

OVER 10: Pakistan 71/3 (Khushdil 18, Shan 28)

Ali has brought back Rashid into the attack, but two singles and three dot balls come for his first deliveries.

However, Khushdil is able to chip one away for the final ball which brings yes you guessed it's another single.

So it's three runs from Rashid's latest set and it seems Pakistan aren't going out swinging...

It's now or never for the hosts!


06:17 PM

OVER 10: Pakistan 68/3 ( Khushdil 16, Shan 27)

Sam Curran arrives into the bowling attack for England, having looked in decent form in Friday's game.

However, Khusdhil is able to get off strike after Curran's second ball after a dot ball in his first delievery, before Shan does likewise.

Then Khusdhil drags one through midwicket for four and then Shan adds a couple from the final two balls of the over.

Then it's drinks.


06:14 PM

OVER 9: Pakistan 59/3 (Khushdil 10, Shan 24)

Fist six for Pakistan as Shan hits a brilliant fourth ball by lauching up and over midwicket.

It was another nice shot which sees two runs added to their total, clipping hard to deep midwicket before a further couple comes from Rashid's last ball, as Shan is able to mow one to the leg side

That is 13 from the over and you feel that is more like it for Pakistan.


06:12 PM

OVER 8: Pakistan 46-3 (Khushdil 8, Shan 14)

England's captain Moeen Ali comes into the attack and it's good running from the batters which sees a couple of runs from Khushdil.

However, they need runs not singles!


06:07 PM

OVER 7: Pakistan 41/3 (Khusdhil 4, Shan 13)

Moeen Ali turns to Adil Rashid to bowl his first over in the game, with singles for both batters coming after an opening dot ball.

Rashid is playing well here after a further dot ball, before two singles coming from the final balls of the over, which England will be pleased about

As if Pakistan, they cannot score a boundary- you feel they have to take a risk.


06:01 PM

OVER 6: Pakistan 37/3 (Khushdil 2, Shan 11)

It's been another dreadful over for Pakistan once more in this power play, as just four runs comes from it with David Willey on the attack- and then Iftikhar is removed in the first ball.


06:00 PM

OVER 5: Pakistan 33/3 (Iftikhar 19, Shan 9)

Reece Topley returns to the bowling attack, as the hosts really struggle to find any boundaries.

They only manage two singles and a dot ball coming from the first three balls. Iftikhar was very close to a run out, which would have seen him gone with a direct hit amongst, but he recovers well to take boundaries thereafter.

He ends the over by picking up another single for the hosts.


05:57 PM

Wicket!

Iftikhar b Willey 19

Another one bites dust! With Pakistan's next best batter Iftikhar now dismissed!

I'm not sure what he is thinking but he swipes at a short ball, gloving and then edging it to Salt!

Pakistan are in deep trouble here..


05:54 PM

OVER 4: Pakistan 22/2 (Iftikhar 9, Shan 8)

David Willey enters the crease to bowls his first over, with singles coming from the Pakistani batsman from this first two deliveries.

Shan is able to slightly jab one round the corner to claim another single, but a dot ball in Willey's fourth delivery.

Then a DROP! Iftikhar skies one high up in the air, but David Willey much like Pakistan in the field- completely drops an absolute sitter!

Is there something in the air tonight?


05:51 PM

OVER 3: Pakistan 18-2 (Iftikhar 7, Shan 6)

Woakes enters into the attack once more and it's Shan who is able to get off the mark with a simple from Woakes' first delivery.

Shan Masood is able to guide one for this first boundary through deep third, but a single run is all that comes from the final two balls on the offer.


05:46 PM

OVER 2: Pakistan 11-2 (Iftikhar 7, Shan 6)

Topley gets in on the action, as he dismissed the Pakistani opener with a sublime first delivery.

He then follow that up with two dot balls, which Iftikhar manages to get a few runs from the next three deliveries. He then adds a boundary in the final ball through fine leg.


05:43 PM

OVER 1: Pakistan 5/1 (Rizwan 1, Babar 4)

I'm just catching up, as Chris Woakes started England's bowling with a dot ball with his first delivery to Rizwan.

The opening batter is able to get off strike with a single, but then a second dot ball comes next from Woakes.

Then, a third dot ball of the over follow, before the wicket of the Pakistan's captain comes from the final ball.

An incredible start for England and a brilliant over for Woakes...


05:40 PM

WICKET!

Rizwan b Topley

That was an unplayable delivery for Topley, as he gets the key wicket of Rizwan. Two tickets for England in three balls and Pakistan's opening partnership is gone!

Reece Topley crashed through the off stump with a wonderful delivery and this deciding T20 match maybe already decided... or have I spoken too soon?


05:38 PM

WICKET!!

Babar c Brook Woakes 

What a start for England, as Chris Woakes has the Pakistan captain gone in the first over.

He has played brilliantly this series, but this is a huge blow for the hosts as far as this run chase is concerned.

The skipper poked his delivery and it was a simple catch for Harry Brook to make at short cover.


05:28 PM

Nick Hoult's thoughts at the halfway stage..

In Lahore

Dawid Malan seals his place at no 3 with 76 off 46 and Brook just dealt in sixes - four of them - in 46 off 29. Feels like England could have made a few more and their most in form player, Moeen Ali, didn’t get in. Pakistan’s worst fielding performance of the tour. Three absolute dollies put down and for the first time in the series the crowd were giving their side a bit of stick. Good total. Get the openers out early and England win.


05:19 PM

OVER 20: England 209/3 (Brook 46no, Malan 78no)

Harry Brook's fourth six brings up the hundred partnership with his Yorkshire team-mate Malan. Brook is able to nail a delivery from Wasim over wide long-on. The visitors cannot manage any boundaries from the final two balls but they have set Pakistan some target of 210 to win this series decider!

We are set up for some finish, stay with us!


05:15 PM

OVER 19: England 189/3 (Brook 39, Malan 65)

Rauf has been brilliant this game for Pakistan, if the hosts lose this game it won't because of his bowling- that's for sure!

The seamer has been able to bowl both quick and then take pace off. He only remains wicketless due to the dismal fielding of his team-mates. Rauf ends with 0-24 from this four!


05:11 PM

Malan dropped on 62!

OVER 18.2: England 184/3 (Brook 38, Malan 62)

It's not Babar this time but Wasim who had so much time to get underneath the ball as Malan skied a high one into the air.

Given him another life line, then Pakistan appeal for lbw to Raul, but the ball was clearly pitched outside the leg stump- a really good call from the umpire.


05:08 PM

OVER 18: England 182/3 (Brook 36, Malan 62)

Malan has taken a blow to the ribs after being slightly too early into his shot against Hasnain's slower ball.

However, Hasnain delivers another slow ball and Malan is able to whip it behind square on the leg-side for four- before clubbing a six over deep backward square after England's number three is meet by a quick bouncer.

That is fourteen more from over.


05:03 PM

OVER 17: England 168/3 (Brook 35, Malan 50)

An absolute shocker from Wasim, as he bowls on leg stump at the end of the over and is whipped high over fine leg for six more by Brook.

England are still on target to reach 200 in these innings, which will be a good total for the visitors to reach.

That would be a challenging target for Pakistan to reach  in this series decider.


05:00 PM

OVER 16: England 160/3 (Brook 26, Malan 50)

Babar is keen to rotate his bowlers, as Wasim is back into the attack. Malan then moves one run from his half century by simply drumming the ball over extra-cover for four and then whips the next ball down to deep square off this pad for a single to seal his fifty.

It is a 13th T20 half-century for Malan from 34 balls- very muted celebrations from the 35-year-old,  as he knows there is more work to be done!


04:56 PM

What a miss!

OVER 15.4: England 152/3 (Brooks 25, Malan 45)

England have reached the 150 mark as Dawid Malan is able to slice Rauf to the man at long-on and takes the single-before Pakistan's captain Babar missed an absolute sitter! Brooks chipped the ball straight up into the air but Babar somehow shells it- I can't quite believe it!

In international cricket, you will not see a simple catch like that dropped- it's a second drop of the evening for the captain.

How costly will that be for Pakistan?


04:52 PM

OVER 15: England 149/3 (Brook 24, Malan 43)

There is some seriously poor fielding out there from Pakistan, as Hanain gifts Malan four at deep third. Harry Brook tries to ramp the quick but unfortunately he gets the shot all wrong and it ends up edging his helmet.

Hasnain also bowls another bouncer to Malan, with him pulling out of an intended pull. It has been a tidy over for the hosts- with only three runs from it.

Rauf will bowl the next set of six from Pakistan.


04:47 PM

OVER 14: England 146/3 (Brook 23, Malan 42)

What power from Harry Brooks as he lofts the spinner from Iftikhar inside out over extra-cover for four.

It was a sublime shot from the 23-year-old- if Brooks remains at the crease than England are on for 200 in this winner-takes-all clash.


04:42 PM

OVER 13: England 134/3 (Brook 12, Malan 41)

At the start of this over, it was a case of singles and dot ball for the visitors across the next few bowls until Wasim bowls short and Malan pulls away with a pull shot for four. It's four more last week as well for England as Hasnain is having a nightmare at deep third and allowing the ball to slip past him.

England keep ticking along nicely here...


04:37 PM

OVER 12: 122/3 (Brook 11, Malan 30)

It's been a good over from Iftikhar to has kept both Malan and Brook quiet- and he may have had a wicket if captain Babar had been able to cling on to Malan's fierce left-hand drive. It was a dropped catch a decent height- you felt that should have been caught.


04:33 PM

OVER 11: England 113-3 (Brook 9, Malan 27)

What a start from Harry Brook, as he creams Shadab over Khushdil at wide long-off.  In our opening comments, Nick Hoult spoke on his thoughts on Harry Brook's performance this series. England of course have players to come back to this side- Stokes, Buttler, Livingstone- but you would feel it would be a surprise if Brook missed out on the first XI, such has been his form.


04:30 PM

OVER 10: England 102/3 (Brook 1 Malan, 26)

Harry Brook enters the crease and drills Iftikhar into the covers off the back foot for his first single of the match.

Then we have a drinks break after Duckett's dismissal. Just to confirm, it was a run out as opposed to a stumping with Rizwan taking the ball in front of the stumps.

What a fascinating game as we are halfway through England's innings. This T20 series has rarely disappointed!


04:26 PM

WICKET!

Duckett run out (Rizwan)

Commentator's curse- that was superb from Rizwan as Duckett was able to chop the ball into the ground but that was lightening hands from the wicketkeeper.

What a reaction from Rizwan,  as the ball is bounced up and he sticks out a right mitt. He then collects the ball and whips off the bails with Duckett out of his ground.

It was brilliant glovework!


04:21 PM

OVER 9: England 97/2 (Duckett 28, Malan 24)

Ben Duckett seems to love the orthodox and reverse sweeps- much to the annoyance of the bowlers. Anything Duckett can do, Malan can do also, as he slogs an orthodox sweep seeing him deposit Shadab over deep midwicket for the first six of the innings, a shot that nails the fifty stand from 72 balls.

Later on, Duckett booms Shadab down the ground for a second six, over long-off after helping England to motor on. Both batters have responded well after losing their openers in quick succession.


04:17 PM

OVER 8: England 77/2 (Duckett 20, Malan 17)

What a shot from Malan as he lofts an off-spinner Iftikhar over extra-cover for four- that was excellently taken. Duckett is also playing well, as he strikes a fine off-side shot, slamming Pakistan's off-spinner in front of point after being offered some decent and he isn't going to miss out on tthat!

You feel, England need a big score to win this, as they will have some disadvantage when they bowl later due to the dew falling. The damp condition will favour the hosts batters as the ball should slightly skid on.


04:12 PM

OVER 7: England 65-2 (Duckett 14, Malan 11)

As Nick Hoult reported on earlier Ben Duckett is not included in England T20 World Cup squad but you feel he must be included if there is any injury to a batter during the tournament.

He is showing his class here by reverse sweeping Shadab for a beautifully taken four from the Nottinghamshire player.


04:07 PM

OVER 6: England 57/2 (Duckett 8, Malan 9)

So unlike their defeats in this series, England have not lost a third wicket in this powerplay. Malan and Duckett have slowed the tempo and done nothing daft against Rauf as Duckett picks up four down to deep backward square aided by mis-field from Pakistan.


04:02 PM

OVER 5: England 48/2 (Duckett 0, Malan 8)

Dawid Malan clearly wants to make amends for his part in that calamitous run out. Salt's departure and manages to cream Hasnain through backward point and then clip fine through the leg-side for successive fours before this two wicket over is complete.

The run out came after Malan had deflected Hasnain behind square on the leg-side, the ball coming off the pad, I believe.


03:59 PM

Wicket!

Salt run out (Shadab Khan)

What a shambles from England!

Dawid Malan flicks one off his pads but he is stationary, as Phil Salt runs down the crease from the non-striker's end.  Malan eventually gathered his bearings and told Salt no, but Shadab's direct hit meant Salt was a goner!

He is on his way back..


03:55 PM

WICKET!

Hales lbw b Hasnian 18

Hales considers reviewing the decision momentarily but he decides against it in the end with Hasnain's ball extremely adjacent to the stumps as it nips in a touch, keeps relatively low and strikes the batter across the line.

Pakistan vs England live: Score and latest updates from the T20 final - GETTY IMAGES
Pakistan vs England live: Score and latest updates from the T20 final - GETTY IMAGES

03:53 PM

OVER 4: England 39/0 (Salt 20, Hales 18)

For the fist team Pakistan stem the England run rate courtesy of Rauf, as he ships only four runs, two singles apiece for Salt and Hales.

Raulf is known for predominately slower delivers to the England openers during that tight over.


03:48 PM

OVER 3: England 35/0 (Salt 18 Hales 16)

Babar Azam takes Nawaz out of the attack and he is replaced by seamer Wasim. Alex Hales is denied his boundary due to a brilliant stop from Rauf at long-off but then he does find the fence from the next three deliveries. So. I'm sure he won't be too disappointed.

He steers the ball down to third man, then hauling Wasim over the leg-side, before then lacing him through extra-cover!

It's all England, with four, four and more fours!


03:43 PM

OVER 2: England 20/0 (Salt 17 Hales 2)

England are really starting how they did on Friday as Salt is able to pull new bowler Mohammad Hasnain for a boundary.

Hasnain beats Salt's outside edge with a lifter delivered next and he felt there was a slight nick as England's opener pushed at the ball.  No appeal from his team-mates who disagree, so no review from Pakistan. Wise call from the captain, as there was no bat involved.

Pakistan vs England live: Score and latest updates from the T20 final
Pakistan vs England live: Score and latest updates from the T20 final

03:37 PM

OVER 1: England 13/0 (Salt 11 Hales 1)

Salt picks up where he left on Friday, striking the first boundary of the day and it's taken just two balls as he carves one through the off side.

He then lofts a further boundary fifth ball, over wide mid-on this time, before his leading edge balloons into the off-side and it drops to safety for the last delivery.


03:31 PM

The players are walking out to the middle

Mohammad Nawaz has the new ball.

Packed out stadium, series decider, play....


03:29 PM

Another full house at the Gaddafi Stadium

Nick Hoult reports from Lahore

Every match has been sold out and the atmosphere has been terrific. The Test series will be very different. Crowds for Tests in Pakistan have always been very low. But I understand there will be a few tour groups from England to swell the numbers. The Barmy Army are putting together a trip and a couple of the high end travel groups too. They will be welcomed warmly wherever they go if this series is a yard stick.


03:27 PM

Pakistan captain Babar Azam

We'll try and take early wickets and maintain this dew factor.

We're excited to play in front of our fans, they've been amazing and we want to win this series.

We have a lot of positive things in this series because our bowlers are bowling very well. We've had different combinations and different plans but they've executed very well.

We have a lot of concerns in the middle order so we're looking to step up to finish the series.


03:26 PM

England captain Moeen Ali

We would have bowled first. But if you bat well and big you can put the game out of reach.

It's not easy for spinners. If you look at both teams it's been difficult for spin bowling. There's been a lot of dew and these pitches don't spin much.


03:20 PM

So no Mark Wood for England...

Nick Hoult in Lahore

England's selection 

This is a surprise officially with a series to win. England are holding Mark Wood back for Australia. Woakes plays his second game, and bowled well the other night as he continues his comeback. Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf are back for Pakistan, who are at full strength.

On the weather

The pitch is the one used in the first game which was slow and low but that was just after heavy rain on Tuesday. Since then it has been dry and very hot so it should be better for batting and England really clicked in the last game so 200 should be in their reach tonight batting first after being sent in.


03:18 PM

Team news in full

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain

England: Phil Salt (wk), Alex Hales, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali (c), Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley


03:14 PM

Pakistan make four changes, England one

One change for England with Chris Woakes returning in place of Richard Gleeson in the bowling united

There are a raft of alterations for Pakistan with Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain coming in and Mohammed Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani and Amer Jamal dropping out.


03:04 PM

Pakistan win the toss

And elect to bowl.

Feels like a good toss to win.

Pakistan vs England live: Score and latest updates from the T20 final - AP
Pakistan vs England live: Score and latest updates from the T20 final - AP

02:56 PM

Nick Hoult's take on Harry Brook and Ben Duckett from Lahore

He has played his way into the side at No 5 with a commanding presence at the crease, his 81 not out in Karachi is the best England innings of the tour so far. With Livingstone doubtful for the early matches of the World Cup due to an ankle injury, Brook’s rise has been timely.

Stokes will return, taking the place of Ben Duckett at four, giving England the left-hander in the middle order and another bowling option, but it is a selection based on reputation rather than numbers.

Stokes has not played a T20 for England since March 2021, and in 34 matches his strike rate of 136 is a long way behind Duckett (158), Salt (164) and Brook (150). His bowling can be expensive, too, and the question is, does he justify a place in the side? What he brings is presence and that cannot be judged with a number value next to it. Duckett has advanced his reputation and taken his opportunity on this tour.

He has almost certainly guaranteed himself a return to Pakistan for the Test series as the spare batsman in the squad (he was called up as reserve for the Oval Test against South Africa after Jonny Bairstow’s injury). He is averaging 50 from six games with a strike rate of 159 and looked very happy on the pitches and facing spin. At 27 he is more mature off the field and coaches say he has realised what he needs to do to succeed at the top.

Duckett had a good reputation against spin but facing it in county cricket compared to Ravichandran Ashwin in India is like playing a different sport. His quick wrists, good footwork and judgment of length allows him to play sweeps, reverse and orthodox, to great effect against the slower bowlers, but he has also shown aggression against pace.

Duckett is not part of the World Cup squad and was surprised to be picked for the opening game of this series but has taken his chance and deepened the pool.

“I’d love to be part of the Test squad, my game is very suited to that squad. It just seems at the minute they let you go and play with freedom, it takes all pressure off, which I think a lot of Test players have struggled with over the last few years because it is extremely hard,” said Duckett.


02:28 PM

Good afternoon

Nick Holt reports from Lahore

And welcome to live coverage of the seventh T20 between Pakistan and England. There are a few big-name England absentees in Pakistan but their Twenty20 World Cup team has taken shape, which apart from the politics and symbolism, was the point of the tour.

Mark Wood will play today’s series decider and in two outstanding fast-bowling performances has proved his return to full fitness. He has emerged on this trip as the crucial match winner with the ball in T20s. He will be even more dangerous on the quick pitches of Australia, and managing his body and workload is the primary task of the management team.

Picking and choosing when he plays and protecting this rare asset in English cricket is vital. Reece Topley’s consistency nails down his place, too, while Moeen Ali has looked very comfortable in the finisher’s role with the bat – scoring 142 runs with only one dismissal and a strike rate of 159.55.

Even though Phil Salt made a career-best 88 off 41 balls in Friday’s pummelling of Pakistan that set up the decider, it is Alex Hales who is ahead of him to open with Jos Buttler in Australia. Buttler has not played here but has sat back and taken it all in as he mulls his options for Australia.

Hales made a useful 27 on Friday, taking the attack to Pakistan when he could have played the percentages, allowed Salt to take the risks and knocked up a nice unbeaten fifty-odd. That is not what Buttler wants from his players, and Hales judged the mood.

It is hard on Salt, who has juggled keeping with opening, and came good at last on Friday, belting the ball with a power seen only from Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone. Salt is an outstanding ball striker and plays that selfless way that is reminiscent of Jason Roy. Hales, though, was picked for his experience and record in the Big Bash and he has done enough in this series with one to play to keep his place when England arrive in Australia next week.

Salt’s other route to a place in the team could be at No 3, but Dawid Malan started to look much better on Friday. Malan is a player who needs practice time in the nets and England have not had a training session since the first match of this series for a combination of logistical reasons or weather.

Malan had a long session before Friday’s match and it showed. His timing was much better and he will stay at No 3, especially in Australia, where he knows the conditions and has a good record. Just seven days will separate the series decider in Lahore today and the first of three T20s against Australia in Perth next Sunday.

It is fitting this series is ending in a winner-takes-all final. The sides have produced good, close contests, by and large, while rotating their players. Pakistan will bring back Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf, and strengthen an attack belted around on Friday.

Play starts at 3.30pm BST. Join us for the toss and team news in the build-up.