Pakistan proves again as worlds most unpredictable team. After disastrous performance in ODI series, team performed brilliantly with bat and bowl to defeat England for 32 runs in the first T20.
Despite of an amazing innings by Liam Livingstone England failed to chase against Pakistan in the first T20 of the series at Trent Bridge.
Attempts by Pakistan bowlers to limit England to 201 was worth. England won the toss and elected to ball first.
The opening partnership punished the hosts, with their performance building a 150 run, Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan contributing their shares. Both the batsmen punished England bowlers hard.Babur Azam scored 85 from 49 ball and Muhammed Rizwan scored 61 from 41 balls. This partnership provided a solid starting for the match. Rizwan fell to Lewis Gregory easily caught by Jonny Bairstow in the fourteenth over. While in the sixteenth over of the match Babar Azam fell to English bowler David Willey.
In the following overs batsman could not manage the rhythm still contributed in building up good total.
Pakistan bowlers destroyed English top order batsman making the beginning worse. English top order couldn't survive the deadly spell leading to the collapse, loosing four wickets for 82 runs. Shaheen Afridi made the first stroke sending back Dawid Malan for six runs and Johny Bairstow for 11 runs. Later, Shadab Khan dismissed Moeen Ali for one run.
On the other side Jaison Roy made a failed attempt to rescue the team from collapse, but surrendered to Shadab Khan.
Liam Livingstone performed brilliantly with record breaking century, fastest century for English in any format . However, his attempt was to an extend successful in bringing England close to victory and keeping the hope alive in the match.
English batsmen failed to support Liam Livingstone. Captain Morgan along with Liam Livingstone build a decent partnership but Morgan succumbed to Imad Wasim. Later, Shadab Khan killed the final ray of hope by sending back Liam Livingstone. Pakistan bowled out English for 201 remaining the four balls.
Pakistan Captain expressed the happiness and confidence in his words after the match, "Everyone took part in today's win" said Babur Azam following Pakistan's first victory of the tour after a 3-0 reverse in a one-day international series.
As the chosen sqaud was instructed to self isolate due to Covid outbreak reported in the England camp, Livingstone and Morgan missed the ODI series.
However, Livingstone came back after a break and isolation after being tested positive for Covid. "I didn't pick a bat up for 10 days then came back in yesterday (Thursday) and felt really good" said Livingstone.
"It was an incredible knock",English Captain Eion Morgan applauded the Livingston performance.
"The biggest compliment I could pay him is our changing room has watched some incredible knocks from (Jason) Roy or (Jos) Buttler or (Moeen) Ali and that knock was as good as any of them. He was incredible",he added.
Shaheen Afridi was awarded the man of the match for his performance with ball ( 3-30 ) and in the field. Both team will meet at Leeds for the second T20 on Sunday.
Former Players from both sides as well as the cricket lovers reacted to the match through Twitter, Some of the interesting tweets are here :
Well done @TheRealPCB on their win over @englandcricket but a huge Pat on the back @liaml4893 on his remarkable ton. @stevelivvy will be a happy man tonight 👍👍. - Niall John 0 Brien
The Pie Man 💯 Put that helmet back on quickly 🍋What a knock @liaml4893 🔥🔥🔥🔥. - Nathan Buck
What an innings. - Jofra Archer
Special innings @liaml4893 !! 👍 -Michael Vaughan
So proud of the boys, just re watching the match via highlights - Regrouping has done some magic - love the intent, aggression & the fighting spirit ! This is team Pakistan ! However a great game of cricket all round . Well done @iShaheenAfridi! -Azhar Mahmood