Defending a complete of 137, Shaheen Afridi gave Pakistan a dream begin in opposition to England within the ongoing T20 World Cup ultimate on the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In the primary over of England’s chase, Afridi cleaned up Alex Hales with a pointy in-swinger. Hales did not make room for himself because the supply nipped again in sharply, rattling the stumps after deflecting off the pads. The video was shared by ICC on its official Instagram deal with.

Watch: Shaheen Afridi Cleans Up Alex Hales To Give Pakistan Dream Start

With the ball, Sam Curran bagged three wickets for simply 12 runs as England held Pakistan to 137/8.

With the rain staying away, England produced disciplined and economical bowling to limit the 2009 champions who by no means actually acquired going, with Shan Masood’s 38 being the highest rating.

Curran was lethal, accounting for Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood and Mohammad Nawaz.

Adil Rashid’s leg-spin additionally proved essential, eradicating the harmful Mohammad Haris together with his opening ball after which getting the essential wicket of Babar Azam to finish with 2-22.

Jos Buttler’s England, who reached the ultimate with a thumping 10-wicket win over India, are aiming to turn out to be the game’s first-ever twin white-ball champions after profitable the 50-over World Cup in 2019.

Both groups are on the lookout for a second T20 title after Pakistan’s success in 2009 and England’s a yr later.

England, who have been once more with out injured batsman Dawid Malan and tempo bowler Mark Wood, received the toss and despatched Pakistan into bat.

Ben Stokes was given the brand new ball and Pakistan have been fortunate to outlive the over intact, with a nervy Mohammad Rizwan nearly run out going for a dangerous single.

If Chris Jordan’s throw had been a direct hit he would have been gone.

Rizwan and Azam shared a century partnership within the semi-final in opposition to New Zealand and shortly settled, with Rizwan clearing the ropes off Chris Woakes for the primary six of the night time within the fourth over.

But one other massive stand wasn’t to be, with Rizwan dragging a supply from Curran onto his stumps on 15.

Pakistan, who powered previous New Zealand by seven wickets to make the ultimate, managed simply 39-1 off the six-over powerplay, the place solely two fielders are allowed outdoors the 30-yard circle.

The introduction of Rashid quickly after reaped a right away reward with Haris (8) attacking him on his first ball solely to sky a easy catch to Stokes.

Azam led Pakistan to 68-2 on the midway level of the innings after which Masood started swinging the bat, hitting a 4 and 6 off Liam Livingstone.

But as soon as once more Rashid acquired the breakthrough, pulling off a diving catch from his personal bowling to assert the very important wicket of Azam, whose 32 got here off 28 balls.

Promoted

Iftikhar Ahmed solely lasted six balls earlier than Masood and Shadab Khan (20) fell within the house of two runs as Curran and Chris Jordan stored the lid on any hope Pakistan had of a late flurry.

(With AFP Inputs)

Topics talked about on this article