Rampaging England look to extend streak

Sports Monday 31/August/2020 17:31 PM
By: Times News Service
Rampaging England look to extend streak

England have won each of their last five T20I series – including one-offs – and, after winning the previous match against Pakistan, they have a chance to continue that run.

It's been over two years since England lost a T20I series and they appear primed to add to their winning streak.

With the first match having been washed out, Pakistan, the current No 4-ranked side in the MRF Tyres ICC T20I Team Rankings, will look to find ways to counter the potent England batting order in a bid to level the series.

They may consider bringing in Wahab Riaz, whose experience and ability to bowl pace variations, might come in handy. If they decided to give Shaheen Afridi, who has played each game on the tour so far, a rest, the 20-year-old Mohammad Hasnain might also be an option to consider.

England's bowling was unable to make a breakthrough early in Pakistan's innings in the second T20I, and David Willey, with his ability to swing the new ball, might be in the reckoning for the third T20I.

While the first T20I had to be abandoned mid-way due to rain, the second was played under mostly clear skies and the forecast looks promising for the series finale as well. Another run-fest might be on the cards in Manchester.

Remember the last time

After a steady fifty from skipper Babar Azam at the top of the order, Mohammad Hafeez took the attack to the England bowlers, smashing a 36-ball 69, to power Pakistan to a seemingly imposing 195/4.

Jonny Bairstow and Tom Banton made a blazing start to the chase scoring at over 10 an over when both men were dismissed off successive deliveries in the seventh over by Shadab Khan with the score on 66. But the twin breakthrough provided little respite as Dawid Malan and captain Eoin Morgan wreaked havoc. Morgan was particularly destructive, smashing six fours and four sixes in his 33-ball 66, which helped England ease past the line with five balls to spare.

What they said

Eoin Morgan (England captain): "The last two years in international cricket are my best numbers to date. That's great because if I can combine a little of that [form] with my experience, I think that will go a long way to winning games."

Babar Azam (Pakistan captain): "We stuck to our plans while batting, but we couldn't bowl well. Credit to Malan and Morgan for the way they played."