One should give credit with the way Pakistan has batted in the last two T-20 internationals in the recently concluded series. Experienced campaigner, Mohammad Hafeez was the scorer-in-chief, who played a couple of match-defining knocks for Pakistan.
After exhibiting a fine show in the second T20, Mohammad Hafeez, once again, starred with the bat in the final T20 on Tuesday. He took his time initially, however, once he found his groove, there was no stopping Hafeez. He was pretty severe to Adil Rashid, to whom he hammered three sixes and one four. Hafeez compiled 86 runs off just 52 balls to help Pakistan reach a formidable total of 190 runs in the first innings.
Playing his debut game, a 19-year old Haider Ali showed why he is one of the most talked-about youngsters in Pakistan. On his second ball of the innings, he smacked Moeen Ali to a huge six. Playing with a strike rate of over 160, Ali whacked four fours and two sixes during his 54-run knock off just 33 balls.
Chris Jordan was the pick of the bowlers of England, who claimed 2 for 29 runs in 4 overs. In pursuit of the total, England didn’t get off to a great start, having lost three wickets for 65 runs in seven runs. Tom Banton, though, made sure England keep up with the required run-rate. He scored 46 runs off 31 balls before getting leg before off Haris Rauf.
By the time the fourth wicket fell, Pakistan were in complete control of the game. However, Moeen Ali had some other ideas. Playing at a strike rate of 184, Moeen Ali told why he is regarded so highly in T20 cricket. He struck 4 fours and 4 sixes en-route to a fine 61-run knock off 33 balls.
The Southpaw would have taken his team home had Wahab Riaz not pulled off a sensational 19th over for Pakistan. He gave just 3 runs off his over while taking the priceless wicket off Ali to pull the match in favour of visitors. Needing 17 runs off the final over, England fell short of 6 runs in the end. Pakistan won the game by 5 runs and thereby level the series 1-1.
Mohammad Hafeez won the man of the series for his sensational performances with the bat.
