| 0.0 : PAKISTAN (Unchanged Playing XI) - Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi. |
| ENGLAND (Unchanged Playing XI) - Jos Buttler(C/WK), Alex Hales, Philip Salt, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid. |
| TOSS - The captains are out in the middle. The coin is flipped into the air and lands in favour of England. They have elected to BOWL first. |
| Jos Buttler, the captain of England, says he wants to bowl first. Adds that it's a huge game, with good energy and good nerves in the dressing room and in the stadium as well. Tells that both teams are in red-hot form and they are looking forward to the challenge. Feels that it's a good pitch, should stay true throughout, and since there is a forecast for rain, they want to chase. Wants his team to take confidence from the last victory. Informs that they are going with an unchanged XI. |
| Babar Azam, the skipper of Pakistan, says that they would have bowled first as well. Adds that they will now try to put runs on the board and put pressure on England. He feels that they have good momentum and they will look to continue that in this match. Shares that their last win gives them confidence and he is happy with the way the team has bounced back after the first two losses. Informs that they are going with the same team as the last game. |
| Pitch Report - Nasser Hussain says that it is a perfect setting at the MCG for the final. Hopes that the rain stays away. Feels that it is a decent wicket. Adds that pacers will look to bang the ball short and force the batters to hit square. Reckons that bowlers need to pitch it up with the new ball. Ian Bishop adds that this wicket has dry grass as well as green patches. Ends by saying that at the MCG there is more swing in the Powerplay than any other ground. |
| We are moments away from the start of this massive game but before that, the umpires and the players of both teams have lined up in the middle for the national anthems of the two nations taking part in this final. It will be the national anthem of England followed by Pakistan's national anthem. |
| 0.1 : Ben Stokes to Mohammad Rizwan, First ball of the final and it's a no ball for overstepping - first from England in this World Cup! There is some swing on this ball, full and around off, Rizwan covers the movement and defends it back on the off side. The crowd roars as the Free Hit is loading... |
| Ben Stokes to Mohammad Rizwan, Free Hit stays as it's a WIDE down the leg side. Short in length, Rizwan tries to pull but misses. |
| Ben Stokes to Mohammad Rizwan, Extra bounce this time. Back of a length and there is some extra bounce on the off. Rizwan misses the pull and gets hit on the body. |
| 0.2 : Ben Stokes to Mohammad Rizwan, Gloved away! Short and down the leg side, Rizwan gloves his attempted pull shot down to fine leg for a couple of runs. |
| 0.3 : Ben Stokes to Mohammad Rizwan, Around off, on a length, Rizwan taps it down from the crease to cover-point. |
| 0.4 : Ben Stokes to Mohammad Rizwan, Direct hit would have been curtains for Mohammad Rizwan! Full delivery, around off, Rizwan strokes it straight to Chris Jordan at mid off and sets off for a risky run. He dives as Jordan misses his shy at the bowler's end. |
| 0.5 : Ben Stokes to Babar Azam, Some outswing there, on a length and outside off, Babar stays back, opens the face of his blade and pushes it to point. |
| 0.6 : Ben Stokes to Babar Azam, Babar Azam is off the mark! Short in length and around off, Azam goes on the back foot and slaps it through cover-point. Adil Rashid cuts it off near the fence and they get three runs. Eventful first over! |
| 1.1 : Chris Woakes to Babar Azam, Wide! An extra to start the second over as well. Woakes slips a length ball down the leg side, Azam leaves. Buttler gets wrong-footed slightly and slips but does well to stop the ball. |
| Chris Woakes to Babar Azam, Pitches it up and outside off, with a 6-3 off side field, Babar drives but finds the cover fielder. |
| 1.2 : Chris Woakes to Babar Azam, Bowls it full and on off, angling in, Babar shows a straight bat as he defends it towards mid off. |
| 1.3 : Chris Woakes to Babar Azam, Fuller in length on off, Babar whips across the line, it comes off from the inner portion and dribbles through square leg. They cross for a run. |
| 0.6 : Chris Woakes will bowl from the other end and share the attack. |
| 1.4 : Chris Woakes to Mohammad Rizwan, Woakes lands it full and on off, at 138 kph, Rizwan tries to flick but gets an inside edge. It runs down to long leg and they collect a run. |
| 1.5 : Chris Woakes to Babar Azam, Doesn't time it well. Fullish and on off, Babar attempts a wristy flick but there is some extra bounce and he mistimes it in the air. The ball goes wide of mid on and they cross. |
| 1.6 : Chris Woakes to Mohammad Rizwan, Angling in from a length around off, Rizwan falls over a bit in his stance as he works it towards mid-wicket. Dot ball to end the over, a good start for Woakes. |
| 2.1 : Sam Curran to Babar Azam, Swing and a miss! Curran begins with a delivery on a good length and outside off, Babar tries to cut but misses. |
| 2.2 : Sam Curran to Babar Azam, Bowls it full and around off, Babar drives it through covers. There is a sweeper out there and hence it's only a single. |
| 2.3 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Rizwan, Pitches it up and around leg, Rizwan works it behind square leg and comes back for the second run. |
| 2.4 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Rizwan, Around off, on a good length and shooting off the surface a bit, Rizwan pushes at it, inside the line, and gets it away off the splice. The ball drops near point and they steal a run. |
| 2.5 : Sam Curran to Babar Azam, Flashes and misses! Width there outside off, short and angling away from the batter, Babar tries to cut but misses yet again. |
| 2.6 : Sam Curran to Babar Azam, Beauty! Extra bounce and exaggerated inward movement this time. This starts from a good length around off and curls back in to cramp the batter for room. Rizwan fails to keep it out and takes a blow on his thigh pad. Superb over from Sam! |
| 3.2 : Chris Woakes to Mohammad Rizwan, Shortish and on off, tapped down to point for one. |
| Square leg drops back. |
| 3.3 : Chris Woakes to Babar Azam, Very full and on middle, Babar gets behind the line and digs it out towards mid on for one. |
| 3.1 : Chris Woakes to Mohammad Rizwan, SIX! Massive! This will settle the nerves somewhat. Mohammad Rizwan loves his sweep shot against the seamers. Pace off from Woakes, full and around middle at 111 kph, Rizwan kneels and smokes it over deep square leg for a biggie. |
| 3.4 : Chris Woakes to Mohammad Rizwan, Fuller and on off, at 111 kph, Rizwan helps it towards mid-wicket and looks for a run. He is sent back. |
| 3.5 : Chris Woakes to Mohammad Rizwan, On a length and around off, Rizwan drops it with soft hands to covers and steals a single. |
| 3.6 : Chris Woakes to Babar Azam, Mistimed! Full in length, around off and angling in, Babar plays a mistimed flick shot, over wide mid on. They take three runs. A good over for Pakistan, 12 runs from it. |
| 4.1 : Sam Curran to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan dives to complete the run and seems to have hurt himself. Back of a length, around leg, Babar turns it towards backward square leg and they cross. Rizwan rushes to the opposite end and dives to get in. While doing so, his helmet hit the ground and Rizwan has hurt himself. |
| 0.0 : A massive roar from the crowd as the pre-match formalities are completed and we are all set for the game to begin. The umpires stride over to the pitch and the England players form a huddle near the boundary line before taking their respective positions on the field. The English players have adorned black armbands in tribute to David English, founder of Bunbury schools festival, and considered the 'Godfather of English cricket', who has passed away at the age of 76. The deadly opening pair of |
| 4.2 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Rizwan, OUT! DRAGS IT ON! Sam Curran has been the go-to bowler for England throughout the tournament and he has done it again. That slight break in play and injury perhaps took the focus away. Curran serves it full and outside off, enticing the drive, Rizwan accepts the proposal but tries to do that away from his body. All he manages is an inside edge and the ball goes on to shatter the stumps. Curran jumps as Pakistan lose one of their prime batters. |
| 4.3 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Haris, On a length around off, pushed through the line towards mid off. |
| 4.2 : Mohammad Haris makes his way out to the middle at number 3. |
| 0.0 : Slight halt! Mohammad Rizwan seems to have hurt himself under his eye as he puts in the dive. The helmet bounces off the floor and catches him in the face as he calls the physios to come out immediately. He seems okay and the play is set to resume. |
| 4.4 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Haris, A bit short and wide outside off, Haris plays late but finds Rashid at short third man. |
| 4.5 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Haris, Haris is trying to dominate Sam Curran here. Gives the charge and the bowler bowls it short and wide, Mohammad Haris ends up swishing and missing. |
| 4.6 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Haris, Four dots to the new batter who is trying all the shots in his book but without any result. Short again, around middle, Mohammad Haris arches back and tries to ramp it over the keeper but misses. End of a successful over for Curran. |
| 5.1 : Chris Woakes to Babar Azam, Woakes is into his third over and begins it with a fuller one on middle, Azam flicks but finds the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 5.2 : Chris Woakes to Babar Azam, FOUR! Helped away! A 115 kph delivery, on a length and down the leg side, Babar waits and waits before placing it wide of short fine leg for a boundary. |
| 5.3 : Chris Woakes to Babar Azam, Aerial but safe! Pace up this time, short and on off at 137 kph and the ball jumps onto the batter. Babar tries to pull but gets a top edge. It clears the infield at mid-wicket and they get a single. |
| 5.4 : Chris Woakes to Mohammad Haris, Edged but falls short. Slower one, on a length around off at 110 kph and this one grips and holds a bit. Haris pushes inside the line and edges it towards point. The ball drops in front of point. |
| 5.5 : Chris Woakes to Mohammad Haris, Swing and a miss! Six dots now for Mohammad Haris. Pressure building on him. Woakes senses the charge from the batter and bowls a full ball around leg at 105 kph, Haris makes room to swing his bat but connects only with thin air. |
| 5.6 : Chris Woakes to Mohammad Haris, Wide! Angling down the leg side, Haris tries to flick but misses. |
| Chris Woakes to Mohammad Haris, FOUR! Opens his account with a wristy shot. Slower one again, on a length around leg, Haris waits and scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary. At the end of the Powerplay, Pakistan are 39 for 1. |
| 6.1 : Ben Stokes to Babar Azam, Ben Stokes starts the over with a back-of-a-length delivery angling down leg, Babar Azam pulls the ball to deep square leg and takes a single. |
| 6.2 : Ben Stokes to Mohammad Haris, Slightly short once again and in line with the stumps, Mohammad Haris pulls this to the right of mid on and takes a run. |
| 6.3 : Ben Stokes to Babar Azam, Continues bowling short and this is served outside off, Babar Azam gets on top of the bounce and knocks this to deep square leg for one. |
| 6.5 : Ben Stokes to Mohammad Haris, On a shorter length and outside the off stump, Mohammad Haris cross bats this over the mid off fielder and the ball gets stuck into the pitch. They collect two runs as the fielder collects the ball. |
| 6.6 : Ben Stokes to Mohammad Haris, Ends the over with a good length delivery nipping back in from just outside off, Mohammad Haris gets across the stumps and manages to work the ball to deep backward square leg for a single to keep strike. |
| 6.4 : Ben Stokes to Mohammad Haris, Bangs this in with pace and straight, Mohammad Haris looks to be aggressive but does not connect. The ball goes through to the keeper. |
| 6.6 : Time for some spin now. Adil Rashid has the ball in his hand. |
| 7.1 : Adil Rashid to Mohammad Haris, OUT! Adil Rashid strikes straightaway! Rashid starts off with a flighted delivery outside off, perhaps a googly, Mohammad Haris decides to take him on. Advances down the track looking to clear the straight boundary but skies this one towards long on. Ben Stokes settles under it and does the rest. Huge wicket for England as Haris had shown some good form of late. |
| 0.0 : Shan Masood walks in next, at number 4. |
| 7.2 : Adil Rashid to Shan Masood, Googly to begin with against the new batter. Lands it around off and gets it to turn away, Masood tries to push inside the line but misses. |
| 7.3 : Adil Rashid to Shan Masood, Flighted on off, Shan Masood defends this one with a straight bat back to the bowler. |
| 7.4 : Adil Rashid to Shan Masood, Flighted on off, Shan Masood gets down on one knee and sweeps it to deep square leg. Gets off the mark with a single. |
| 7.5 : Adil Rashid to Babar Azam, Tossed up outside off, Babar Azam gets forward and flicks this one gently towards deep square leg. The fielder in the deep is on the ropes which allows the batters to come back for a double. |
| 7.6 : Adil Rashid to Babar Azam, Full on middle, Babar Azam plays it with soft hands towards deep mid-wicket and collects a couple of runs. Good sensible batting by Babar Azam. |
| Chris Jordan is introduced into the attack. He is fresh from a good outing against India. |
| 8.1 : Chris Jordan to Shan Masood, Chris Jordan begins with a fullish delivery served wide outside off from 'round the wicket to the left-hander. Shan Masood strokes this to deep point and takes a single. |
| 8.2 : Chris Jordan to Babar Azam, FOUR! That is some sublime timing from the skipper of Pakistan! Chris Jordan goes over the wicket to the right-hander and bowls this on a good length but strays on the pads. Babar Azam glances this in the gap towards deep backward square leg and collects four runs. |
| 8.3 : Chris Jordan to Babar Azam, This is on a good length as well and outside off, Babar Azam stays back to cut but there is some extra bounce and it goes off the outside edge to third man. They cross. |
| 8.4 : Chris Jordan to Shan Masood, Angled into the pads, on a good length, Shan Masood flicks this with soft hands towards deep mid-wicket and they run well to pick up a couple of runs. |
| 8.5 : Chris Jordan to Shan Masood, Bowls this slightly full and outside the off pole, Shan Masood knocks this towards deep point and they look for a couple of runs but have to settle for a single. |
| 8.6 : Chris Jordan to Babar Azam, Gets the ball to nip back in sharply from outside off, Babar Azam blocks it towards mid on and it will be a dot ball to end the over. |
| Adil Rashid will be eyeing more wickets here. This pitch is certainly offering some assistance. |
| 9.1 : Adil Rashid to Shan Masood, Flighted delivery on middle, Shan Masood moves in the crease and works this one towards long on and comes back for two. |
| 9.2 : Adil Rashid to Shan Masood, Flatter on off, Shan Masood backs away and punches it to deep cover for a single. |
| 9.3 : Adil Rashid to Babar Azam, Full and drifting at the pads, Babar Azam pushes it off the back foot towards long on for a single. |
| 9.4 : Adil Rashid to Shan Masood, Tossed up on off, Shan Masood gets across and sweeps this one on the full towards deep square leg for a run. |
| 9.5 : Adil Rashid to Babar Azam, Full on middle, Babar Azam clips it on the leg side and takes a run. |
| 9.6 : Adil Rashid to Shan Masood, WIDE! Adil Rashid loses his radar. Bowls this one wide down the leg side. Shan Masood misses the sweep. |
| Adil Rashid to Shan Masood, Short on off, Shan Masood rocks back and cuts this one past the diving Sam Curran at backward point. The fielder in the deep comes around and keeps it to two. |
| The fielders in the deep are standing up quite a bit to stop the second run, informs Ravi Shastri (on air). Clearly, they are still trying to find a way. |
| 10.1 : Liam Livingstone to Babar Azam, Liam Livingstone starts off with a low full toss outside off, Babar Azam whips this wide of long on and takes a couple of runs. |
| 10.2 : Liam Livingstone to Babar Azam, Bowls this short and outside off, Babar Azam rocks back and cuts this to the right of point to collect a run. |
| 0.0 : Drinks break. We are halfway into the first innings of the final and both teams will be quite pleased with the proceedings so far. England have picked up a couple of wickets and also kept the run rate in check. Pakistan, on the other hand, are trying to build their innings and prepare a launching platform for the end overs. Babar Azam holds the key in the middle phase and then the Men in Green will hope for their power hitters to express themselves. Liam Livingstone to bowl after the break. |
| 10.3 : Liam Livingstone to Shan Masood, Another low full toss fired into the stumps, Shan Masood charges down the wicket and bumps the ball back to the bowler. |
| 10.4 : Liam Livingstone to Shan Masood, FOUR! Crunched! Shan Masood gets a hold of this one and dispatches it to the boundary! Liam Livingstone bowls this full and in line with the stumps, Shan Masood stays deep in the crease and slams this past the non-striker for a boundary to straightish long on. |
| 10.5 : Liam Livingstone to Shan Masood, WIDE! Tosses this one full and wide outside off beyond the tram line. Shan Masood leaves this one alone and the umpire calls this wide. |
| Liam Livingstone to Shan Masood, SIX! This is huge and Shan Masood is looking to be aggressive after the break! Liam Livingstone flights this full and into the batter, Shan Masood shimmies down the wicket and lifts the ball well over the long on boundary for a biggie. Pakistan are finally getting a move on here. |
| 10.6 : Liam Livingstone to Shan Masood, Liam Livingstone continues to float the ball and tempt the batter. This is served wide outside off on a fuller length, Shan Masood slices this over the backward point fielder and gets two runs in the process. A good over for Pakistan as 16 runs have come off it. |
| Change? Nopes. Jos Buttler is continuing with the leg-spin of Adil Rashid. |
| 11.2 : Adil Rashid to Iftikhar Ahmed, Turning away from around off, Ahmed stays back and defends it towards the bowler. |
| 11.1 : Iftikhar Ahmed walks in next. |
| 11.3 : Adil Rashid to Iftikhar Ahmed, Tossed up outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed gets beaten on the outside edge as he looks to work it on the off side. |
| 11.4 : Adil Rashid to Iftikhar Ahmed, Beaten again, Adil Rashid is getting some sharp turn from this wicket. Flighted outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed misses as he looks to cut this one. |
| 11.5 : Adil Rashid to Iftikhar Ahmed, Flatter and quicker on off, Iftikhar Ahmed plays this one off the backfoot towards Adil Rashid. |
| 11.6 : Adil Rashid to Iftikhar Ahmed, No run. |
| 11.1 : Adil Rashid to Babar Azam, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! What a weird dismissal. Rashid bowls a googly on off, Babar Azam fails to read it and looks to pull this one off the back foot at the last moment. Gets this one off the upper part of the bat and the ball lobs back to Adil Rashid. He reacts and dives to take the catch to his right. A much-needed wicket for England. |
| Ben Stokes to Shan Masood, Ben Stokes bowls a good-length delivery on a leg stump line, Shan Masood looks to work this leg side but misses. It perhaps hits him on the elbow and deflects to point. They cross for a leg bye. |
| Physio comes out. |
| 12.2 : Shadab Khan arrives. |
| 12.4 : Ben Stokes to Shan Masood, Bowls this on a leg-stump line and slightly short in length, Shan Masood pulls this towards deep square leg and they run well to complete a brace. |
| 12.2 : Ben Stokes to Iftikhar Ahmed, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Another one bites the dust and Iftikhar Ahmed departs for a duck! Ben Stokes bowls this on a good length and just outside the off pole, there is some extra bounce off the wicket and it catches the edge of Iftikhar Ahmed's bat as he feels for the ball. Jos Buttler takes an easy catch behind the stumps and Pakistan seem to be losing their way a bit here. Another injury break results in a wicket. |
| 12.5 : Ben Stokes to Shan Masood, Ben Stokes serves this on a good length and angles away from the left-hander after pitching just outside off. Shan Masood waits for the ball and plays it late as he guides it to third man for a single. |
| 12.3 : Ben Stokes to Shadab Khan, This is on a good length as well and angled into the batter, Shan Masood charges down the wicket and gets an outside edge towards backward point as he takes a single to get off the mark. |
| 12.6 : Ben Stokes to Shadab Khan, This is on a good length as well and in line with the stumps, Shadab Khan taps this towards the off side and takes off for a single to keep strike in the next over. |
| 13.1 : Adil Rashid to Shadab Khan, Short on leg, Shadab Khan pulls this one off the back foot towards long on for a single. |
| 0.0 : Ben Stokes is bowling now. Moeen Ali could be an option as well on this pitch. He would be more than handy. Meanwhile, the physio has come out and the magic spray is out to lessen the pain of Masood who was hit on the elbow. |
| 13.2 : Adil Rashid to Shan Masood, Fullish delivery on middle, Shan Masood knocks this one towards long on for a run. |
| 13.3 : Adil Rashid to Shadab Khan, FOUR! Beautiful timing. Flighted on middle, Shadab Khan gets forward and lofts this one straight over the bowler for his first boundary. Long on and long off had no chance of stopping that. A timely boundary for Shadab Khan and Pakistan. |
| 13.4 : Adil Rashid to Shadab Khan, Flighted on off, Shadab Khan taps it towards cover and collects another single. |
| 13.5 : Adil Rashid to Shan Masood, Flatter on off, Shan Masood cuts it towards deep cover for a single. |
| 13.6 : Adil Rashid to Shadab Khan, Nicely bowled! Flighted outside off and turning away from the batter. Shadab Khan gets beaten on the outside edge as he tries to work it on the off side. Adil Rashid ends with figures of 2-22 including a maiden. |
| 14.1 : Chris Jordan to Shan Masood, THUD! That has hit Shan Masood straight on the helmet! Chris Jordan begins the over with a short ball that is well-directed. Shan Masood looks to pull but misses and takes a hit on his head gear. |
| 0.0 : We'll have another stoppage here and Pakistan will be praying that this break won't result in another wicket. Shan Masood is going through a mandatory concussion check as has been the protocol if you are hit on the helmet. |
| Chris Jordan is back into the attack. |
| 14.2 : Chris Jordan to Shan Masood, Bowls this on a good length and in line with the stumps, Shan Masood charges down the wicket and swings blindly. He mistimes his shot to mid on and takes a single. |
| 14.3 : Chris Jordan to Shadab Khan, This is on a good length as well and outside the off stump, Shadab Khan heaves and gets a thickish outside edge that falls just short of the third man fielder. They take a single. 100 up for Pakistan. |
| 14.4 : Chris Jordan to Shan Masood, FOUR! That is a cracking shot from Shan Masood! Chris Jordan keeps bowling on a good length but offers width outside off, Shan Masood punches this past the fielder and finds the deep cover boundary for four useful runs. |
| 14.5 : Chris Jordan to Shan Masood, Bowls this a fraction short and follows the batter as he looks to make room on the leg side. Shan Masood cuts this towards cover and takes a run. |
| 15.1 : Ben Stokes to Shadab Khan, Khan exposes all his stumps by stepping back and Stokes follows him with a fuller delivery, Shadab works it towards deep mid-wicket and collects two. |
| 14.6 : Chris Jordan to Shadab Khan, Goes fuller this time and outside the off pole, Shadab Khan gets across the stumps and flicks the ball towards deep backward square leg. It will be a single to end the over. |
| 15.2 : Ben Stokes to Shadab Khan, Wide! Again Stokes tries to follow the batter down the leg side, Shadab tries to tickle it fine but misses. It's called a wide. |
| 14.6 : Ben Stokes (3-0-19-1) has been brought back into the attack. |
| 15.3 : Ben Stokes to Shadab Khan, Sliding down the leg side, it's worked behind square leg for a single. |
| 15.4 : Ben Stokes to Shan Masood, Slower one, full and around leg at 113 kph, Masood steps back and drives it to sweeper cover for one. |
| 15.2 : Ben Stokes to Shadab Khan, FOUR! Bang! This one is on a good length and outside off, Shadab blazes it through covers and the ball races away. Philip Salt tries his best to cut it off near the fence but fails in his attempt. |
| 15.5 : Ben Stokes to Shadab Khan, Picks the gap. Short in length, around leg and following the batter, Shadab pulls it in front of square on the leg side and the ball scoots away. Sam Curran does well to stop it before the fence and saves one run for his side. |
| 15.6 : Ben Stokes to Shan Masood, Digs it in short, around off, Masood pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run. 13 from the over. |
| 16.1 : Sam Curran to Shan Masood, Miscued. Curran gets a length ball to angle in from around off, Masood tries to heave but it takes the higher par of his blade and loops towards square leg. They take two runs. |
| 16.2 : Sam Curran to Shan Masood, Delivers it on a short length and outside off, Masood tries to give himself room but ends up chasing the ball. Misses. |
| 16.3 : Sam Curran to Shan Masood, OUT! Masood holes out! In the quest to score quick runs, Masood perishes. It's a body blow to Pakistan as a set batter is going at this stage of the innings. Curran continues to be magical for his team, both in the Powerplay and at the death. He takes the pace off this one and delivers it on a length around off, Masood's attempted heave over the leg side is mistimed badly and Liam Livingstone, who is standing up by a few yards at deep mid-wicket, takes a simple c |
| 16.4 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Nawaz, Fuller and on off, Nawaz drives but finds mid off. |
| 16.3 : Mohammad Nawaz comes out to the middle and Pakistan will be hoping he plays an attacking cameo here. |
| 16.5 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Nawaz, Short on middle, pulled to deep square leg for a single. |
| 16.6 : Sam Curran to Shadab Khan, Beaten! A touch short and on off, angling away, Shadab leans back and tries to guide it down to third man but misses. A top over from Sam! |
| 17.1 : Chris Jordan to Mohammad Nawaz, Change of pace, short and around leg, Mohammad Nawaz pulls it down to fine leg for one. |
| 17.2 : Mohammad Wasim makes his way out to the crease. |
| 17.3 : Chris Jordan to Mohammad Wasim, Gets behind the line of the delivery and pushes it to mid on. |
| 17.4 : Chris Jordan to Mohammad Wasim, IT'S ALL HAPPENING AT THE MCG! Short in length and outside off, at 141 kph, Mohammad Wasim cuts it aerially to point where Harry Brook dives but drops the catch. He throws the ball to Jordan as the batter attempt for a single. The bowler has a shy at his end but misses and Stokes, who is backing up, has to chase it down in the deep. They take two more runs but a bit hesitantly as Jordan collects the throw from the deep and tries to deflect it onto the stum |
| 17.2 : Chris Jordan to Shadab Khan, OUT! TAKEN! Shadab Khan falls as well! Chris Jordan goes short and digs it in around middle and leg, Shadab Khan stays leg-side to this one and attempts for a big shot. He loses his shape and ends up skying a simple catch for Chris Woakes at mid off. It's going from bad to worse for Pakistan at the backend as now they will have two new batters at the crease to face the final few deliveries. |
| 17.5 : Chris Jordan to Mohammad Nawaz, Short and on off, Nawaz hits it to covers for one. |
| 17.6 : Chris Jordan to Mohammad Wasim, Sliding down the leg side, Wasim tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads to the keeper. Nawaz turns down the leg bye. |
| 18.1 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Nawaz, Outside off, Nawaz swings his bat at it and misses. |
| 18.2 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Nawaz, Short and on middle, pulled to deep square leg for a couple. |
| 18.3 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Nawaz, OUT! CAUGHT! Sam Curran has his third and once again he combines with Liam Livingstone to hunt down one more batter. Delivers it full and around off, at 126 kph, Mohammad Nawaz heaves it without much timing and Liam Livingstone takes the simplest of catches at deep mid-wicket. Pakistan's innings derailed at the backend. |
| 18.4 : Sam Curran to Shaheen Afridi, A touch short around off, Shaheen drags it to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 18.3 : Shaheen Afridi strides out to the middle and he has a bit of work to do with the bat before getting the ball in his hand. |
| 18.5 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Wasim, Clever. Curran drops it short and takes the pace off this one. Wasim tries to pull but it flies over his bat. |
| 18.6 : Sam Curran to Mohammad Wasim, Short and slow on off, Wasim walks forward and taps it down to point for one. Excellent from Curran, 4-0-12-3. |
| 19.1 : Chris Jordan to Mohammad Wasim, Short and on off, at 141 kph, Wasim turns and attempts a mighty heave over the leg side but fails to connect. |
| 19.2 : Chris Jordan to Mohammad Wasim, Another dot. Short and on middle, angling in at 135 kph, once again Wasim tries to power it over the leg side but connects only with thin air. |
| 19.3 : Chris Jordan to Mohammad Wasim, OUT! CAUGHT! One more wicket goes down. Slower one from Jordan this time, he delivers it short and around off. Wasim, for once, gets some connection but it's not crisp. The ball flies to deep mid-wicket and Liam Livingstone sprints forward to secure the catch by going down low. Third catch for Liam who has been kept busy in the field. |
| 19.4 : Chris Jordan to Haris Rauf, Shortish and on off, Haris swings his bat at it and drags it to deep square leg for one. |
| 19.3 : Haris Rauf comes out to the middle now. |
| 19.5 : Chris Jordan to Shaheen Afridi, FOUR! Edgy! Back of a length, around leg, Shaheen steps back and tries to pull but it takes the top edge and flies behind the keeper for a much-needed boundary for Pakistan. |
| 19.6 : Sent into bat first, Pakistan got off to a cautious start in the Powerplay. They had a couple of partnerships but nothing substantial to help them reach a par total. Pakistanâs batters failed to make it count despite getting starts. With contributions from Babar Azam, Shan Masood and Shadab Khan, they have something to bowl at. |
| Earlier, England were unable to take full advantage of the overcast conditions managing to pick just one wicket in the Powerplay. However, they kept picking wickets at regular intervals which did not allow Pakistan to get away with any partnerships. Adil Rashid and Sam Curran were the stars with the ball for England accounting for five Pakistan wickets. To back their bowling, England were clinical in the field too. |
| Chris Jordan to Shaheen Afridi, Shortish and around off, Shaheen swings his bat at it again but misses this time. They cross for a bye as Jos Buttler misses his shy at the striker's end. Pakistan end on 137 for 8. |
| Right then, it's not a big total on the board but the pressure of a grand finale can make you do funny things. The onus will be on Shaheen Afridi and co. to create some early inroads for Pakistan while England will look to bat the same way as they usually do. Who will it be to clinch their second T20 World Cup title? Chase coming up in a bit⦠|
| Perfect planning and execution with the ball from the English team. They were on the money in the Powerplay and their performance at the death was exceptional. Four wickets in the last five overs and that never allowed Pakistan to hit the top gear. |
| Here is Adil Rashid giving a flash interview. The leggie says that he has been pretty calm about the lack of wickets. Adds that the seamers have been doing well and it is a collective effort with him doing his bit, so long as the team is doing well. Mentions that they wanted to assess the pitch and conditions initially. Goes on to say that the opponents may prefer the ball coming quicker so he bowled a bit slower and gained confidence over time. Claims that he has been sticking to his strengths |
| ... THE RUN CHASE ... |
| 0.1 : Shaheen Afridi to Jos Buttler, England are away! Shaheen Afridi begins with a full delivery around leg, Buttler flicks it with good timing and sends it in acres of space at deep mid-wicket. Three runs are taken. |
| 0.2 : Shaheen Afridi to Alex Hales, Hits the yorker mark around off, Hales digs it out towards mid off and scampers across for a brisk run. Positive start for England. |
| 0.3 : Shaheen Afridi to Jos Buttler, Mishit! Fullish and around off, Buttler tries to drive but gets an inside edge. It trickles down to deep backward square leg and by the time, the fielder in the deep gets to the ball, they get two runs. |
| 0.4 : Shaheen Afridi to Jos Buttler, Beauty from Shaheen! He puts it on a fuller length around off, Jos attempts to play it with a straight bat but the ball nips away to beat the outside edge. It was very close to the off pole as well. |
| 0.5 : Shaheen Afridi to Jos Buttler, Too full this time, on middle, Buttler works it around in the gap at mid-wicket for a single. |
| 0.6 : Shaheen Afridi to Alex Hales, OUT! SOUND OF TIMBER! The MCG roars. Alex Hales is undone with a beauty from Shaheen Afridi! An inswinger, landing on a full length around middle and leg at 133 clicks. Hales tries his best to keep it out but misses. The ball sneaks through, perhaps says hello to the back pad as well and then deflects onto the stumps. What a sight for a fast bowler! |
| 1.1 : Naseem Shah to Jos Buttler, Superb delivery to begin from Naseem. Lands it on a good length, outside off and shaping away, Buttler stays away from the line as he attempts to push at the ball. |
| 1.2 : Naseem Shah to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Crunched. Naseem serves it full and around off, Buttler gets on the front foot and crunches it through the gap at covers for a glorious boundary. |
| 1.3 : Naseem Shah to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Consecutive boundaries as England try to wrestle back the momentum in their favour. Naseem goes searching for the movement as he dishes out a full ball outside off, Buttler leans forward and creams it through covers. |
| 0.6 : Philip Salt is the new batter out in the middle at number 3. Naseem Shah will share the attack and bowl from the other end. |
| 1.4 : Naseem Shah to Jos Buttler, Edged but safe! Naseem pitches it up and outside off, Buttler again tries to drive but this time he edges it behind. The ball goes wide of first slip and to third man. They cross. It has started to drizzle now. |
| 1.5 : Naseem Shah to Philip Salt, FOUR! Third boundary of the over and this is a lucky one for England. Fuller in length and on middle, Salt tries to whip it across the line but gets an inside edge through his legs. It runs down fine and crosses the fence. |
| 1.6 : Naseem Shah to Philip Salt, Fuller and on middle, Salt knocks it down to mid on for one. 14 from the over! |
| 2.1 : Shaheen Afridi to Philip Salt, Full in length, around middle and off, Salt pushes it gently to mid-wicket. Shaheen makes the stop in his followthrough. |
| 0.0 : DRS time. Appeal for an lbw against Philip Salt. The finger stays down and Babar Azam reviews... |
| 2.3 : Shaheen Afridi to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Pristine! Fuller in length around leg, shaping in, Buttler leans across and flicks it with lovely timing through wide mid on for a glorious boundary. |
| 2.2 : Shaheen Afridi to Philip Salt, NOT OUT! Shaheen serves a full toss on this occasion as he takes the pace off, around leg, Salt tries to swing it over the leg side but misses and is rapped on the back thigh pad. The appeal is made but the umpire shakes his head. Babar smiles as he goes for the review. UltraEdge finds no bat and the Ball Tracking shows that the impact is with the umpire's call. Pakistan retain their review. One leg bye has been added to the total. |
| 2.4 : Shaheen Afridi to Jos Buttler, Fuller on off, driven to the left of mid off for a single. |
| 2.5 : Shaheen Afridi to Philip Salt, Angling away, around off, it's pushed from the crease to mid off by Salt. |
| 2.6 : Shaheen Afridi to Philip Salt, Shaheen bowls it full and around leg, Philip Salt steps back and drills it in the direction of the bowler. It clips the boot of Shaheen and ricochets towards mid on. They cross. Shaheen Afridi shows no pain after getting hit and stays on his feet. |
| 3.1 : Haris Rauf to Philip Salt, FOUR! England are capitalizing on the Powerplay overs. A 149 kph delivery on the pads, Salt picks it up and flicks it in front of square on the leg side. It races away. |
| 3.2 : Haris Rauf to Philip Salt, Fullish and on off, driven to mid off. Dot. |
| 3.3 : Haris Rauf to Philip Salt, OUT! CAUGHT! Second wicket in the Powerplay for Pakistan and the crowd once again has found its voice. Haris Rauf speeds in and dishes out a 146 kph delivery. It's short and on middle, Philip Salt backs away to pull but does so without any timing. It lobs tamely to mid-wicket where Iftikhar Ahmed takes the catch safely. Just before this ball, the slip fielder was moved to mid-wicket and it's a captaincy brilliance from Babar Azam. |
| 3.4 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, Serves it on a length around off, angling away, Stokes covers the stumps and shoulders arms. |
| 3.3 : Ben Stokes is the new batter at the crease. |
| 3.5 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, Beaten! Short in length and outside off at 149 kph, Stokes stays back to steer it late but is beaten on the inside edge. |
| 3.6 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, A length delivery outside off, Ben stays back and pushes it to cover-point. Barring the first ball, it was a superb over from Rauf. |
| 4.1 : Naseem Shah to Jos Buttler, Unplayable! Outswinger, on a length and outside off, shaping away late, Buttler pokes inside the line and misses. |
| 0.0 : Naseem Shah will continue despite being really expensive in his first over. |
| 4.2 : Naseem Shah to Jos Buttler, FIVE WIDES to release all the pressure. Naseem perhaps was trying for the inswinger. He gets the line wrong, drifts down the leg side, Jos tries to tickle it fine but misses. Rizwan dives across to his left but fails to cut it off. |
| Naseem Shah to Jos Buttler, Gets his line right and again beats the edge. Naseem delivers a speedy outswinger, around off, Buttler is flat-footed, as he pushes inside the line and misses. |
| 4.3 : Naseem Shah to Jos Buttler, And again. Naseem Shah is unplayable at the moment. Another outswinger has beaten the outside edge of Buttler's bat. Still no slip in place. Rizwan suggests Babar Azam to have it in place and he obliges. |
| 4.4 : Naseem Shah to Jos Buttler, SIX! Brave, skilful and magnificent from Jos Buttler. A length delivery in the line of the stumps, Jos Buttler jumps across the stumps and paddles it all the way over fine leg for a maximum. |
| 4.5 : Naseem Shah to Jos Buttler, On a good length outside off, Jos gets across to play at it but misses. |
| 4.6 : Naseem Shah to Jos Buttler, Beats the outside edge for the umpteenth time in this over. Naseem is unlucky. Delivers a perfect outswinger, close to off, Buttler tries to play the line but is beaten by the movement. |
| 5.1 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, A length delivery on middle and off, Stokes shows the straight bat and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 0.0 : Haris Rauf will continue and he is bowling with some serious pace here. |
| 5.2 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, Full in length and wide outside off, Stokes hammers it to wide mid off. The fielder there dives full length to his right and saves three runs for his team. |
| 5.3 : Haris Rauf to Jos Buttler, Wide! Express pace, short and down the leg side at 146 kph, Buttler lets it be. Rizwan jumps to collect the ball. |
| Haris Rauf to Jos Buttler, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Plenty of times the ball missed the edge of Buttler's bat in the previous over but not this time. Haris Rauf is up and running in celebration. This final is thrown wide open with Buttler, England's top-scorer in the tournament this time around, falling. Back of a length, around off and shaping away at 143 kph, Jos Buttler stays back to feel inside the line and edges it back. Mohammad Rizwan does the rest and Pakistan have three wickets in th |
| 5.4 : Haris Rauf to Harry Brook, Good length, around middle and leg, defended down on the pitch. |
| 5.3 : Harry Brook makes his way out to the middle to replace his captain. |
| 5.5 : Haris Rauf to Harry Brook, FOUR! Fine shot! Full in length and on middle, Brook skips down the track and wrists it with beautiful timing through mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 5.6 : Haris Rauf to Harry Brook, Full and around off, Brook pushes it with an angled bat to point. At the end of the Powerplay, England are 49 for 3. 89 needed off 84 balls. |
| 6.1 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, Shadab Khan starts off with a flighted delivery on middle. Stokes knocks it towards long on for a single. |
| 6.2 : Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Tossed up outside off, turning away from the batter. Brook gets beaten on the outside edge as he tries to play it through the line. |
| 0.0 : Shadab Khan is introduced into the attack. He holds the key on this track conducive for spin bowling. |
| 6.3 : Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Short and outside off, Harry Brook rocks back and cuts this one wide of deep cover. The fielder in the deep comes around and keeps it to two. |
| 6.4 : Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Flighted on off, Harry Brook pushes this one towards long on for a run. |
| 6.5 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, Short outside off, Ben Stokes works it off the back foot towards cover for a dot. |
| 6.6 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, Fullish delivery on off, Ben Stokes gets forward and drives it towards long off for another single. |
| Mohammad Wasim to bowl his first over. |
| 7.1 : Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, Mohammad Wasim starts off with a good-length delivery wide outside the off stump, Ben Stokes takes a couple of steps down the wicket and knocks the ball to deep point for a single. |
| 7.2 : Mohammad Wasim to Harry Brook, Bowls this slightly short and into the batter as he looks to make room by moving towards the leg side. Harry Brook carves this to deep cover-point and takes a run. |
| 7.3 : Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, WIDE! Looking for the yorker this time but strays down the leg side. Ben Stokes misses his flick and the umpire calls this wide. |
| Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, WIDE! Bangs this one short and way outside the off pole. Ben Stokes swings at this but the ball is beyond the tram line. Called wide once again. |
| Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, On a good length and in line with the stumps, Ben Stokes looks to block but is cramped for room and gets an inside edge towards backward square leg, for a single. |
| 7.4 : Mohammad Wasim to Harry Brook, Mohammad Wasim serves this one full and outside off, Harry Brook shuffles down the wicket and uses his strong bottom hand to flick the ball towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 7.5 : Mohammad Wasim to Harry Brook, On a good length and angled down leg, Harry Brook looks to make room and play towards the off side but misses his shot. |
| 7.6 : Mohammad Wasim to Harry Brook, Ouch! Mohammad Wasim follows the batter once again as he sees him go towards the leg side and serves this back of a length. Harry Brook gets cramped for room and gets hit on the elbow as the ball falls back onto the pitch. |
| 8.1 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, Flighted on middle, Ben Stokes backs away and works this one towards deep cover for a single. |
| 0.0 : The physio comes out. Harry Brook has hurt his right elbow. All good to go now. Here is Shadab Khan to continue... |
| 8.2 : Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Tossed up on off, Harry Brook skips down the track and drives it to long on for a run. |
| 8.3 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, FOUR! A lucky boundary for England. Full and at the pads, Ben Stokes brings out the reverse sweep. Gets an under edge that trickles past the keeper to the left of short fine leg for a much-needed boundary. |
| 8.4 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, Short on off, Ben Stokes pulls it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket and collects a single. |
| 8.5 : Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Flatter and quicker at the stumps, Harry Brook does a good job and keeps it out by defending it back to the bowler. |
| 8.6 : Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Floated outside off, Harry Brook advances and drives it towards deep cover for a single. |
| 9.1 : Mohammad Wasim to Harry Brook, Mohammad Wasim starts off the over with a short ball angled into the batter, Harry Brook makes room and looks to cut this but gets an outside edge towards third man for a single. |
| 0.0 : England have the required rate under control and will be looking to just knock the ball around and rotate the strike. The onus is on Pakistan to make things happen. |
| 9.2 : Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, Bowls this really full, almost on yorker length and in line with the stumps, Ben Stokes flicks the ball towards mid-wicket. A fumble from Babar Azam allows them to take a run. |
| 9.3 : Mohammad Wasim to Harry Brook, This is on a good length and just outside the off stump, Harry Brook tucks this towards mid-wicket and rotates the strike collecting one. |
| 9.4 : Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, FOUR! That is timing personified by Ben Stokes! Mohammad Wasim bowls a low full toss outside off, Ben Stokes gets his front foot forward and punches this towards deep cover for a boundary. The ball kept running away from the fielder and England require a run-a-ball now. |
| 9.5 : Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, This is on a good length and outside the off pole, Ben Stokes taps this towards the off side and takes off for a quick single. |
| 9.6 : Mohammad Wasim to Harry Brook, Mohammad Wasim ends the over with a short ball outside off, Harry Brook mistimes his pull shot towards mid-wicket and looks for a run. Ben Stokes refuses the single and Shadab Khan takes aim at the keeper's end but misses the stumps. Would have been really close had he hit. |
| Drinks break. We're at the halfway mark of this chase and England will feel that they have one hand on the trophy. This ongoing partnership between Ben Stokes and Harry Brook has steadied the ship and England now need another 61 runs to win, off 60 balls. Needless to say, Pakistan can make this final thrilling by only picking wickets. Will that happen? Let's find out. |
| 10.1 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, Short and at the stumps, Ben Stokes opens the bat face and guides this one towards short third man. |
| 10.2 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, Flighted on off, Ben Stokes gets forward and knocks it to cover for no run. |
| 10.3 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, Fullish delivery on middle, Ben Stokes defends it with a straight bat back to the bowler. |
| 10.4 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, Floated outside off, Ben Stokes drives it firmly towards cover. Mohammad Nawaz puts in a drive and prevents the single. He has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. Harry Brook was gone had he hit. |
| 10.5 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, Tossed up outside off, Ben Stokes pushes it towards cover-point for a single. |
| 10.6 : Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Full and angling into the pads, Harry Brook clips it to deep square leg for a run. |
| 11.1 : Naseem Shah to Harry Brook, Naseem Shah starts this over with a jaffa! Bowls a really quick delivery on a good length and outside off. Gets the ball to shoot up off the wicket and beat the outside edge of Harry Brook's bat. |
| 11.2 : Naseem Shah to Harry Brook, This is on a good length and in line with the stumps. Harry Brook looks to swing but loses his shape and does not connect. The extra bounce takes the ball over the stumps. |
| 11.3 : Naseem Shah to Harry Brook, This is a fraction short and outside off, Harry Brook connects this time as he pulls the ball towards deep mid-wicket. Haris Rauf covers the ground from long on and puts in a dive to save a run. Three runs nonetheless added to England's score. |
| 0.0 : Pakistan are in desperate need of a breakthrough here. Babar Azam has decided to bring Naseem Shah back into the attack. Haris Rauf is seen giving a pep talk to the young pacer. |
| 11.4 : Naseem Shah to Ben Stokes, Another beauty! This is on a good length and just outside off, Ben Stokes feels for the ball but gets beaten. Naseem Shah looks really pumped up. |
| 11.5 : Naseem Shah to Ben Stokes, Another dot ball as Ben Stokes plays and misses once again! This is bowled on a slightly shorter length but gets the ball to angle away from the left-hander. Ben Stokes hangs his bat out to dry and is beaten all ends up. |
| 11.6 : Naseem Shah to Ben Stokes, And again! Is there an edge this time? Naseem Shah is appealing. The whole of the MCG is appealing. A little bit of conference and Babar Azam decides to refer it. Sharp delivery, breezy, on a length outside off and skidding away. Stokes pushes at it but seems to have missed. DRS time. Nothing on the UltraEdge. Pakistan lose one review. |
| 12.1 : Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Short and outside off, Harry Brook shimmies down the track and pulls it wide of long on. The fielder dives to his right and prevents the boundary. Harry Brook comes back for the second. |
| 12.2 : Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, Shadab Khan floats this full and outside the off stump, Harry Brook knocks this straight to the cover fielder. |
| 12.3 : Shadab Khan to Harry Brook, OUT! CAUGHT! Pakistan have their fourth! Shadab Khan tosses this one wide on the off side, Brook fetches this one from outside off and lofts this one towards long off. It is hit flat but Shaheen Afridi makes it look easy and takes a good catch. Looks like Shaheen Afridi has hurt himself in the process. The 39-run stand has been broken and Pakistan have an opening. |
| 12.4 : Shadab Khan to Moeen Ali, Flighted on off, Moeen Ali pushes this one towards point and gets off the mark with a single. |
| 12.3 : Liam Livingstone or Moeen Ali - Who will head out next? 54 needed off 45 balls. Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi seems to have hurt his right knee and is down in pain. The physio has come out and Afridi is limping off the field to receive some treatment. Pakistan need him fit for the end overs. And to answer the question, it's Moeen who has joined Stokes in the middle. |
| 12.5 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, Googly on off, Ben Stokes rolls his wrists and drives it straight to cover for no run. |
| 12.6 : Shadab Khan to Ben Stokes, Short and on middle, Ben Stokes backs away and punches this one wide of deep cover. Mohammad Wasim comes around and does the cleaning work. The batters run two in the process. |
| Naseem Shah is into his final over. One last burst from the speedster. |
| 13.1 : Naseem Shah to Moeen Ali, Naseem Shah bowls this on a good length and outside the off stump, Moeen Ali mistimes his block towards mid on. Ben Stokes takes off for a single and slips as he looks to turn and get back into the crease. There is an attempt at the non-striker's end but the fielder misses and Ben Stokes survives. |
| 13.2 : Naseem Shah to Moeen Ali, Bowls this back of a length and outside off, Moeen Ali miscues his pull shot but just manages to clear the mid on fielder and get a single. |
| 13.3 : Naseem Shah to Ben Stokes, On a good length this time and in line with the stumps, Ben Stokes taps this back down the pitch towards the bowler. |
| 13.4 : Naseem Shah to Ben Stokes, This is bowled slightly outside the off pole and on a good length, Ben Stokes looks to cut but the ball is too close and he ends up tapping this towards point. |
| 13.3 : At this stage, England are just one run ahead on the DLS counter, informs Michael Atherton (on air). |
| 13.5 : Naseem Shah to Ben Stokes, Goes full this time and outside off stump, Ben Stokes strokes this firmly towards mid off. Third dot ball in a row and the pressure is building now. |
| 13.6 : Naseem Shah to Ben Stokes, This is on a good length and outside off, Ben Stokes plays this with soft hands towards point. This time there is an early call and they take a quick single. |
| 14.1 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, Short-of-a-length delivery outside off, Ben Stokes looks to punch this one on the off side. Gets beaten on the outside edge. |
| 0.0 : Who will bowl now from this end as Shadab Khan is done with his 4-over spell? It's going to be Haris Rauf. Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi is back on the field, a sight for sore eyes and he is moving freely. 49 needed off 36 balls. |
| 14.2 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, Full outside off, Ben Stokes backs away and drives this one to the left of deep cover for a couple of runs. |
| 14.3 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, Short on off, Ben Stokes cuts this one uppishly towards Shan Masood at backward point. The ball falls just short of him and a fumble allows a single for England. |
| 14.4 : Haris Rauf to Moeen Ali, Fuller delivery on off, Moeen Ali drives it towards long on for a single. |
| 14.5 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, Good length delivery outside off, Ben Stokes goes for the mighty heave across the line. The ball sneaks past the inside edge on its way through to the keeper. |
| Shaheen Afridi is again feeling the pinch. He is not looking too sure about his fitness. The physio has joined him near the boundary line. It seems that Shaheen has been rushed in so that he remains eligible to bowl at the death. |
| 14.6 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, FOUR! Back-of-a-length delivery on off, Ben Stokes stands tall and punches it to the right of mid off for a boundary. A timely boundary for Ben Stokes and England. Haris Rauf is distraught as he concedes the boundary of the last ball of what was otherwise a very tidy over. |
| Shaheen Afridi is getting ready to bowl. Is he at his best after that injury? We are about to find out. 41 needed off 30 balls. |
| 15.1 : Afridi is hobbling. Not looking at his best. He is struggling and the smile on his face says it all. |
| Shaheen Afridi to Moeen Ali, Shaheen Afridi starts off the over with a slower delivery, serves it full and wide outside off, Moeen Ali looks to dig this out but misses. |
| 15.2 : Iftikhar Ahmed to Moeen Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed fires a full delivery into the pads, Moeen Ali flicks this down to long on and takes a single. |
| 15.3 : Iftikhar Ahmed to Ben Stokes, This is bowled slightly short and in line with the stumps. Ben Stokes goes deep in the crease and looks to power this over long off. He does not connect well and the ball falls just short of the fielder. They cross for a single. |
| 15.4 : Iftikhar Ahmed to Moeen Ali, Bowled full and into the pads, Moeen Ali chips this towards long on and takes one. |
| 15.5 : Iftikhar Ahmed to Ben Stokes, FOUR! This has been hit powerfully and finds the boundary! Iftikhar Ahmed bowls this slightly short and outside off, Ben Stokes uses the depth of the crease and crunches this towards deep cover for four runs. |
| 15.6 : Iftikhar Ahmed to Ben Stokes, SIX! Ben Stokes is finally getting a move on and the big-match player has stepped up once again! This is sheer power from the big man as he manages to clear the long off fielder. This is bowled short as well and outside the off pole, Ben Stokes transfers his weight on the back foot and muscles the ball over the fence for six runs. |
| 16.1 : Mohammad Wasim to Moeen Ali, FOUR! 14 off the last three balls for England and this final has swung in their favour. Back of a length, outside off, Moeen packs a punch, over extra cover for a boundary. |
| 0.0 : Two magical deliveries to end the last over for England and the equation stands - 28 needed off 24 balls. |
| 16.2 : Mohammad Wasim to Moeen Ali, FOUR! England are motoring. Mohammad Wasim digs it in short, around off, Moeen turns and pulls it with authority over square leg for a boundary. 20 needed off 22 balls. |
| 16.3 : Mohammad Wasim to Moeen Ali, Too full and around leg, Moeen eases it down to long on for one. |
| 16.4 : Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, Wasim goes short and on middle, Stokes swivels and pulls it through square leg. Places it well and returns for the second run. |
| 16.5 : Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, A near-yorker on off, Stokes digs it out through mid off and rotates the strike. |
| 16.6 : Mohammad Wasim to Moeen Ali, FOUR! Only formalities left in this final now, then. Shortish and around off, Moeen attempts to pull but it takes the top edge and flies down to third man for a boundary. The tide has turned completely. 12 needed off 18 balls. |
| 17.1 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, Delivers it short and on middle, Stokes tries to pull but it takes the inner edge and rolls behind. They cross. |
| 17.2 : Haris Rauf to Moeen Ali, Bowls it full and around off, Ali crunches it down to mid off for one. 10 needed more. |
| 17.4 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, Gets behind the line of the ball and defends it back off the splice. |
| 17.3 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, Back of a length, around off, Stokes jumps and cuts it through backward point for a single. Stokes races back for the second run as the throw comes to the bowler. He has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Another chance for a run but Ben has gone too deep to complete the second run. |
| 17.5 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, Perfect bouncer, quick and targeting the head of the batter, Stokes sways away from the line of fire. |
| 17.6 : Haris Rauf to Ben Stokes, Length ball on middle and off, Stokes drops it down with soft hands, adjacent to the pitch on the off side and retains strike. 7 needed off 12 balls. |
| 0.0 : SHAHEEN AFRIDI IS WALKING OFF! That's a massive moment in the final. Pakistan's main weapon is out injured. He tried his best but was unable to continue. Iftikhar Ahmed will complete his over. |
| 18.1 : Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, Spears it very full and on middle, Stokes clears his front leg to whip it across the line. But he gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball deflects to the off side and they cross. |
| 18.2 : Mohammad Wasim to Moeen Ali, OUT! STUMPS SHATTERED! Is there another twist in the tale? One thing is certain - Pakistan won't go down without a fight. Yorker length from Wasim, outside off, Moeen hangs back to drill it through the line but all he manages is to drag it onto the stumps off the inside edge. England are one big hit away to lift the trophy! |
| Liam Livingstone makes his way out to the middle to complete the formalities. |
| 18.3 : Mohammad Wasim to Liam Livingstone, Nothing fancy from Liam. A full toss on middle, Liam Livingstone knocks it down to long on for a single. |
| 18.5 : Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, England will have to wait. Full in length and outside off, Stokes swings hard at it but fails to connect. |
| 18.4 : Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, FOUR! England inch closer. Full toss from Wasim, around off, Stokes stays back and forces it through covers for a boundary. Maiden T20I fifty for Ben Stokes - he is the man for big occasions! |
| 18.6 : Mohammad Wasim to Ben Stokes, ENGLAND ARE THE CHAMPIONS! Fuller in length and around leg, Ben Stokes clears his front leg and whips it through mid-wicket for the winning run. Stokes is all pumped up. He has his redemption for Kolkata. The English players run out to the middle to celebrate. Fireworks go off! What scenes! England win the game by 5 wickets! |
| Plenty of interviews coming your way, stay tuned... |
| Harry Brook says that it feels so good as not many expected them to win the World Cup and is glad that they showed how good they are! Smiles and says that he thought the pitch will be a little better. Praises the crowd for being so amazing. Chris Woakes also joins in and says that they lost a few games in Australia, but this is a good thing. Adds that the wicket provided very little for the bowlers. He feels that it was a 160-run pitch but the occasion gets the better of you when you go past |
| Man of the moment, Ben Stokes comes up for a quick word as well. Says that in the final, if you do all the hard work before that, that will win you the game. Praises the bowlers for setting it up. Adds that restricting Pakistan to 130-odd, the bowlers need to get the credit for that. Tells that they had to address the issue after their loss against Ireland, say what is to be said and then let it go. Mentions that was a blip on the way and the best teams learn from their mistakes and move on |
| Moeen Ali is in next.  Says that this is one of the best days of his career. Feels that they deserved to win. Mentions that it's just about staying positive and it was nice to form a crucial stand with Ben Stokes. Alex Hales also joins. The opener says that the feeling is special and this is the icing on the cake. Adds that he took his time to get going but he enjoyed this tournament. On the delivery that dismissed him, Hales chuckles and says that his feet were nowhere and calls it a 'dece |
| Stay tuned for the presentation... |
| Massive celebration breaks out at the MCG! England are crowned the champions for the second time in the history of this format. They are ecstatic. Agony in the Pakistan camp. Fairplay to them, they tried hard. But this evening belongs to England who are now the champions in both formats. Terrific atmosphere. Jos Buttler is on the shoulders of his teammates. What a start to his captaincy, what an apt replacement for Eoin Morgan. |
| SAM CURRAN IS THE PLAYER OF THE FINAL (4-0-12-3) AND TOURNAMENT (13 WICKETS)! Sam starts by saying that Ben Stokes should be getting the Player of the Match award for his knock under pressure. Shares that his bowling plan was quite simple and he was trying to bowl according to the dimensions of the ground. Praises the bowling of Pakistan as well who put them under pressure. Tells that Ben Stokes is the kind of a player the youngsters look up to. Thanks the crowd for all the support. |
| The match officials get their medals first and then the Pakistan players also receive their runners-up medals. |
| Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, starts by congratulating the English team. Adds that they felt at home because of all the support and thanked the crowd. Tells that the team bounced back was unbelievable and credits his boys. Shares that his advice to his team was to play their natural game and with freedom. Calls his bowling attack one of the best going around. Talks about the injury to Shaheen Afridi and accepts that it's a part of the game. |
| The English players collect their medals and are getting ready to celebrate. But before that, here is Jos Buttler having a word... |
| Jos Buttler, the World Cup-winning captain of England, says that to be able to win the T20 World Cup is absolutely amazing. Tells that it's been a fantastic tournament for them and adds that the tour of Pakistan was very helpful for the team to gel together. Smiles and says that they have quite a few Australians as a part of the support team. Praises the bowling effort of Adil Rashid. Shares that when you hit the right length, there was some seam movement and it was not easy to bat. Talks about |
| Jos Buttler steps on the podium to collect the trophy and the entire English team is jumping in joy. What a moment for them! Their dream has come true. Dance away and celebrate hard. Thoroughly deserved. |
| Right then! That's it from this enticing final and it brings an end to what has been a truly outstanding tournament. We are sure to have some withdrawal symptoms after all the action we have witnessed in recent times. England are now champions of both the shorter formats of the game and this team is filled with white-ball greats. Pakistan put up a great fight but could not get over the line but their fans will be thrilled with the journey their team put them through. We still have plenty of cri |
| England did not get off to the best of starts as they lost the in-form Alex Hales in the very first over and it looked like this could be a nervous run chase. Jos Buttler however provided the perfect counter-attacking knock to wrestle the momentum back in their favour. The dismissal of Philip Salt did not deter the England captain who hit some wonderful shots between being beaten several times. His wicket did ring some alarm bells in the dressing room but Ben Stokes and Harry Brook consol |
| Pakistan needed something to boost their morale and get the crowd that had fallen silent after their first inning well and truly behind them. They got impetus early as Shaheen Afridi struck in his very first over to bring his team right back into the contest. The runs kept flowing although a double strike from Haris Rauf in the Powerplay pegged England back once again. Pakistan though were unable to take wickets for a while but after the refreshment break, they were able to build pressure |
| The chase was set up by the England bowlers who justified their skipper's decision to bowl first and restricted the opposition to an under-par total. Babar Azam, Shan Masood and Shadab Khan all got off to decent starts but wickets kept falling at regular intervals which did not allow the Pakistani batters to accelerate toward the end. Sam Curran was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed three wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs and was ably supported by Chris Jordan and Adil Rashid |
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