England wins series 2-0 after crushing Pakistan by seven wickets: In their fourth and final game at The Oval on Thursday, England trounced Pakistan by seven wickets to win the series 2-0. It was one-way traffic.
After winning the toss, Jos Buttler decided to field first. With 27 balls left, England managed to restrict Pakistan to 157 and chase it down.
The series saw two games called off, which hurt both sides’ World Cup preparations.
Pakistan launched into the powerplay with great intensity, reaching 59-0 by the last ball. Babar Azam (36 off 22) was eliminated by Jofra Archer (1/31).
Pakistan then collapsed from 83-2 to 86-5 after losing three wickets in nine balls, and after 10.4 overs, they were bowled out for rain at 91-5.
Upon the restart, Usman Khan (38) was removed thanks to a spectacular diving catch by Chris Jordan at long-on, setting up Liam Livingstone for a double-wicket maiden.
England proved to be clinical in the field (Pakistan was removed with one ball left in their innings) and merciless with the bat, especially when it came to Buttler, who rejoined the team after missing the start of his third child’s birth this week.
After the powerplay, they were 78-0 in response, but Salt got out in deep to take the first of Haris Rauf’s three wickets (3-38 from 3.3 overs).
At No. 3 in the order, Will Jacks smashed a career-high 20 before England’s potent top five players Bairstow and Brook completed the job against Pakistan.
England will compete for the championship in the Caribbean.
Buttler stated, “The team has a positive vibe, and everyone is contributing and playing well.”
Short Scores
Pakistan: 157 all out in 19.5 overs (Mark Wood 2/35, Adil Rashid 2/27, Liam Livingstone 2/17, Usman Khan 38).
England: Phil Salt 45; Haris Rauf 3/38; 158 for 3 in 15.3
