England defeated Pakistan in Second T20 Match

News Desk 

Islamabad: England defeated Pakistan by 23 runs in the second T20 match, taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

In Birmingham, England set a target of 184 runs for Pakistan, who were all out for 160 runs in the final over.

Pakistan’s chase started poorly, with openers Mohammad Rizwan scoring zero and Saim Ayub getting out for 2 runs. Captain Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman built a 53-run partnership for the third wicket, but Babar was dismissed for 32 runs with the total at 67.

Shadab Khan and Azam Khan were dismissed for 3 and 11 runs respectively, leaving Pakistan at 91-5. Fakhar Zaman, who scored 45 runs, was dismissed with the total at 100.

Iftikhar Ahmed scored 23 runs before getting out with the total at 140. Imad Wasim, scoring 22 runs, was the eighth wicket to fall. Mohammad Amir was bowled out by Jordan for 5 runs at a total of 154, and Shaheen Afridi was caught out at 160.

For England, Reece Topley took three wickets, while Moeen Ali and Jofra Archer took two each. Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, and Adil Rashid claimed one wicket each.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl first. England scored 183 runs for 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Phil Salt was the first wicket to fall, scoring 13 runs at a total of 25 when dismissed by Imad Wasim.

Will Jacks and captain Jos Buttler added 71 runs for the second wicket. Jacks, who scored 37 runs, was caught out by Haris Rauf. Buttler continued scoring and added 48 runs for the third wicket with Jonny Bairstow, who scored 25 runs before being dismissed by Shaheen Afridi.

Haris Rauf ended Buttler’s innings at 84 runs. The Pakistani bowlers then made a strong comeback. Harry Brook scored 1 run, Moeen Ali 4, and Chris Jordan 3 before returning to the pavilion. Liam Livingstone remained not out with 2 runs, and Jofra Archer with 12.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi took 3 wickets, while Imad Wasim and Haris Rauf took two each.

Jofra Archer made a comeback for England, while Haris Rauf returned for Pakistan.

Pakistan’s team included Captain Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Amir.

England’s team, led by Jos Buttler, included Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Reece Topley.

The first match of the series was washed out due to rain, with no balls bowled at Headingley, Leeds.