Pakistan set a target of 138 runs for England in the mega final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup underway at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Pakistan’s Shan Masood topped the score with 38 runs including two fours and one six off 28 deliveries. Similarly, Babar Azam made 32 runs while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan contributed 20 and 15 runs respectively.
In reply, Sam Curran took the highest three wickets while Adil Rashid and Chris Jordan grabbed two wickets each for England.
A tough yet exciting battle is likely between England's batting line-up and Pakistan’s bowling attack in the second inning. In contrast to Pakistan, who rely on their lethal bowling attack to win, Jos Buttler’s team bats fearlessly. They have bowlers who can end the match with the new ball, spinners who can stop runs in the middle overs, and specialist who can apply the stranglehold in the final few overs.
England booked a berth in the final of the world cup by defeating India by 10 wickets and Pakistan reached the final by defeating New Zealand by seven wickets in the semi-final matches.
Pakistan and England have won the world cup title one each. Pakistan had clinched the title by defeating Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final held in England in 2009.
Similarly, England had lifted the trophy by defeating Australia in the final held in West Indies in 2010.
England (Playing XI): Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Philip Salt, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid
Pakistan (Playing XI): Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (w), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Washim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Afridi
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