Aamer Jamal ‘The hero on debut’ as Pakistan defeated England in last-over thriller:
In the fifth game of their seven-game T20I series, Pakistan and England squared off once more. After winning the toss, England elected to bowl. Pakistan’s started off well but the middle order collapsed yet again and Babar, Shan, and Haider faced only 26 balls together and scored 20 runs collectively. The Pakistani top order was unable to manage Mark Wood’s line and speed.
To give Pakistan some runs, Mohammad Rizwan held one end and scored his fourth fifty of the series. Only 3 of the 11 batters who came out to bat were able to reach double digits. Pakistan’s innings were over after 19 overs at 145/10. Mark Wood grabbed three wickets, David Willey and Sam Curran both took two wickets, while Rizwan scored 63 (46).
Like Pakistan, England’s top order also struggled. Together, Hales, Salt, Duckett, and Harry Brook scored 18 runs only. Pakistani bowlers made sure made to contribute with the ball early on to disadvantage England. Iftikhar Ahmed dismissed Dawid Malan for 36(35) to put England in more trouble. England’s prospects were low at 85/6 in the 15th over, but their captain Moeen Ali performed well. Moeen continued to put the ball in the gaps, scoring 50 runs in the process.
Debutant Aamir Jamal was asked to bowl the final over against Moeen Ali with 15 required in the last over. Jamal conceded just 9 runs in the last over, giving Pakistan a 6-run victory. This was the lowest total ever successfully defended in a T20I game in Pakistan. When a team like England is unable to reach the 146-point mark, the bowlers have excelled. While each of the other bowlers secured a wicket, Haris Rauf took 2/41.
