England (160/4) defeat Pakistan (158/7) by 6 wickets to win the 1st T20I

[Faisalabadimunda]

Pak shud of scored 180 on this pitch to have a chance. To easy for eng

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

What a thrashing, beautiful. )

Pakistani fans deserve this humiliation.

Pakistani fans are always deserving of humiliation, humility is a trait one must nurture. Still a mystery for Pak fans, but one day they will learn, but might lessen your enjoyment of these games.

 

[Marooned]

Babar is very poor captain. Keeping your best bowler towards end. Haris should have bowled previous over instead of Naseem. Also Ifti and Khushdil should have been given a chance to bowl. Spin had tightened things. Not a first Babar looks clueless as captain.

Wouldn't have changed much tbh.

With a mediocre total on board they were never going to take enough risks for us to get wickets.

 

[Saj]

Pakistan have looked so flat today in the field.

Lazy, lethargic and below par.

 

[Kianig89]

I have lost hope in Babar as captain and guess what the worst Pakistan skipper ever is in dressing room atm MoYousuf

 

[Kianig89]

If I was Buttler I would aim for 7-0

 

[Marooned]

Pakistan have looked so flat today in the field.

Lazy, lethargic and below par.

True. It feels like a warm up game or something.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

This is a relaid pitch. All that drama from Ramiz and bringing in an Aussie curator, ball already keeping low first match after 25 overs.

Might be a tactical pitch like the ones Pakistan dished out for Australia when they played tests here

The old NSK pitch was a brilliant wicket for LOI batting . I remember Flintoff smashing Wasim and Waqar under lights to chase a huge total after Razzaq had smashed the English bowlers here.

Not sure why they can't make a wicket like that.

 

[t_kaay]

O bhai do you realize how stupid you sound when you keep calling people wrist slitters when they are being proven right?

Yes, you do not need anchors to play only 120 deliveries. But what Hales did today is fine because you are chasing a mediocre total! It's not that complicated you see.

Not as stupid as those who blame the only 2 performers Pakistan has at the moment. How about we take a look at the so called hitters and finishers that are hyped up? You want the likes of Babar and Rizwan to go aggressive from the outset, knowing full well that the following 4 batsmen are probably the most fragile middle order in world cricket at the moment. I'd rather they play as they did today and score 180+ rather than fold for 100 odd because they had no platform after 10 overs. Historically Pakistan back themselves to score 80 or 90 off the last 10 if they have wickets. It doesn't pay off EVERY time but that's the beauty of the game. We can't win them all.

 

[Ahmed216]

He has pace. But no brain. Can be very wayward.

Not true. He lacks experience at this level. U’ve missed some of his spells in last few months.
Much better than bhuvi the trundler who’s smacked around every time I see him after a decade in international cricket

 

[Faisalabadimunda]

Saqlain and M Yousaf need to be replaced. Negative minded people leading pak Team then what do you expect

 

[Raja Ishtiaq]

Match can still be won by Pakistan

 

[Rana]

If I was Buttler I would aim for 7-0

England are ruthless. They will go for it.

They won’t hug and kiss us on the field

 

[Kianig89]

Eng will.become more lethal as the series progresses

 

[Fazzy321]

What happened to pacers today?

 

[Kianig89]

Harris has an over to bowl when the game is almost gone the brazen approach of Babar the captain

 

[Raja Ishtiaq]

Boundary by England but we can still win this

 

[Kianig89]

Get in a second division County coach or even someone from Duleep Trophy heck even get Micky Arthur back Saqlain n Co. Are doomed

 

[Rana]

We are now slow starters on our own tracks

 

[Marooned]

Hard to get even angry about this.

Boring affair all round.

 

[Kianig89]

7T20s might turn out the most difficult one to watch

 

[Snowflake]

Not as stupid as those who blame the only 2 performers Pakistan has at the moment. How about we take a look at the so called hitters and finishers that are hyped up? You want the likes of Babar and Rizwan to go aggressive from the outset, knowing full well that the following 4 batsmen are probably the most fragile middle order in world cricket at the moment. I'd rather they play as they did today and score 180+ rather than fold for 100 odd because they had no platform after 10 overs. Historically Pakistan back themselves to score 80 or 90 off the last 10 if they have wickets. It doesn't pay off EVERY time but that's the beauty of the game. We can't win them all.

If you think that this approach of laying the platform for a 80/90 in the last 10 overs is the way to go, then you and I look at the game very differently and won't ever see eye to eye on this topic.

 

[Rana]

[MENTION=141811]shariqnoor[/MENTION] believes Babar and Rizwan can bat like Warner and Finch, but they don’t try because they are worried for our middle order )

 

[Kianig89]

Where is our Afridi or Razzaq or Ajmal or Akhtar or even Imran Nazir to win us a game by going bonkers the current lot is all median players

 

[Marooned]

Next game get Jamal in for Khushdil.

 

[castortroy]

England missing

Bairstow
Stokes
Butler
Jordan


Embarrassing

 

[Kianig89]

Pakistan problem summed up in 1 line
We can't score 190 we can't defend 150

 

[NeVerMind]

Next game get Jamal in for Khushdil.

Anyoone but Khushdil for the love of God!

 

[Marooned]

England missing

Bairstow
Stokes
Butler
Jordan


Embarrassing

I hear India did splendidly today.

 

[Markhor]

Another 10-15 could've done it, but that was beyond our batsmen.

Our bowlers are all liable to leak runs quickly bar Nawaz, so they need that extra cushion too.

 

[topspin]

Today isn't about Pakistan's pathetic performance. It's about the return of England on Pakistani soil.

 

[Kianig89]

Apart from Rauf we are slayed

 

[Raja Ishtiaq]

Win is still possible here for Pakistan

EDIT- Congratulations England

 

[Marooned]

Come on Dahani looool

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan getting creamed by England Lions.

 

[t_kaay]

If you think that this approach of laying the platform for a 80/90 in the last 10 overs is the way to go, then you and I look at the game very differently and won't ever see eye to eye on this topic.

For me it's the only approach that suits Pakistans line up. I, like you, would love to see them come out and hit sixes from the outset but I can understand why they don't. I just want to see them win, don't care how they get there.

 

[Kianig89]

All we need is an explosive opnere and a vertebrate No. 5

 

[Sherazkhalid]

Pakistan India are lucky to be in easier group for WC, don't be surprised if one or both of them don't make it to semis.

 

[Kianig89]

So it's Pakistan 0-1 Eng

 

[Marooned]

It was a sleepy game. Probably the series being 7 game long put half of them to sleep.

 

[Snowflake]

For me it's the only approach that suits Pakistans line up. I, like you, would love to see them come out and hit sixes from the outset but I can understand why they don't. I just want to see them win, don't care how they get there.

Do you remember how people used to say that without Misbah's 80 balls 60s we'd be folding for 150? How did that pan out?

 

[t_kaay]

Win the toss, win the match

T20 is a force now

You missed the Asia Cup final then??

 

[shariqnoor]

[MENTION=141811]shariqnoor[/MENTION] believes Babar and Rizwan can bat like Warner and Finch, but they don’t try because they are worried for our middle order )

Nowhere have I mentioned that they can bat like Warner and Finch. Apart from your lack of cricket knowledge, your lack of interpreting English is also exposed.

 

[Saj]

Pakistan poor all around:

The batting - 104/1 after 12 overs then struggled to only 158/7

The bowling - far too many freebies served up which the England batters made full use of

The fielding - flat, lethargic, too many errors

Horrible performance

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Another 10-15 could've done it, but that was beyond our batsmen.

Our bowlers are all liable to leak runs quickly bar Nawaz, so they need that extra cushion too.

I think its a tad unfair . Apart from Hales and Brook, none of the other English batsmen could bat on this pitch either.

Also Haris Rauf bowled really well I thought. Most consistent Pakistan pacer in this format . Pakistan missed Shadab here. Rauf + Nawaz + Shadab can control and threaten for 12 overs.

 

[Rana]

Pakistan's problem in T20s is batting first because Babar and Rizwan just do not know when they can go all out attack knowing there's literally no batsmen down the order that can continue with the run-rate. This is one of the reason why they are delaying upping the run-rate. Today the middle order got half the innings and couldn't score at more than 8.

Chasing is much more easy because those two know exactly what is required and when they need to attack. Asia Cup was an exception because Babar got out early every time.

How else are we supposed to interpret this?

 

[Kriketer]

Middle order really need to start performing. This pitch is so bad, why can't Pakistan ever prepare a good pitch?!

Quite a dull game but no worries, 6 more games to go.

 

[Marooned]

Middle order really need to start performing. This pitch is so bad, why can't Pakistan ever prepare a good pitch?!

Quite a dull game but no worries, 6 more games to go.

Well we have seen some proper belters in pakistan last few years. We can make them. This was a bizzare pitch.

 

[Saj]

Men v Boys

England in 2nd gear and missing several players, strolled to victory.

Far too easy that.

 

[castortroy]

Was Shadab rested?

 

[James]

Great occasion hosted by Pakistan!

Well done England! That was an excellent team effort. Aside from the opening bowlers losing their lines a little that was pretty much the perfect performance from Eng.

Led by Hales who I thought played a very solid comeback knock, and that was a fantastic finisher’s innings from Brook as well.

Luke Wood superb on debut. The spinners good.

Looking forward to the next game.

 

[Mirpur express]

30 runs short plus not % in the field but still went to the last over & not exactly a thrashing according to the usual trolls here .. hopefully an improved performance next game

 

[Mesozoic]

India and Pakistan have still not cracked the T20 batting code and they'll probably never will. Just look at how Australia batted today and the way Sri Lanka batted after being 57/5 in the Asia cup final.

Way too much emphasis on meaningless stats and records.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

i think Babar as a captain should come out of the comfort zone , take the responsibility on his shoulder and come down to bat at 4 in both T20I and ODIs

Why because only Babar has the ability to play knocks like Rohit, Kohli and also at the same time play like Stokes or Pandya when needed at the end..

Let Shan open, he might play at 4 and be successfull in domestics, but intl is a diff story..

 

[MenInG]

Alex Hales scored a half-century on his return to international cricket as England marked their first match in Pakistan for 17 years with a six-wicket T20 victory over the hosts.

With Karachi hosting England's first match in Pakistan since 2005, an excellent opening partnership between Mohammad Rizwan (68) and captain Babar Azam (31) thrilled the home crowd, before England hit back through Adil Rashid (2-27) and debutant Luke Wood (3-24) to limit them to 158-7.

England then made a strong start to their run chase as Hales (53) anchored the innings, but regular Pakistan wickets ensured the game remained tense until Harry Brook (42 not out) produced a thrilling cameo to see the tourists home with four balls to spare.

The victory gives England an early advantage in the seven-match series, as they seek to find form ahead of the start of the T20 World Cup in Australia next month.

Moeen Ali captained England in the absence of Jos Buttler, who is expected to return from a calf injury later in the series, with several other notable names, including Test captain Ben Stokes, left at home to rest ahead of the World Cup.

SKY

 

[Savak]

Pakistan has too many players in the middle order playing for their spots in the team. It is hard to expect them to score 10-15 rpo in this scenario when in the back of their mind they know 1-2 failures will mean that social media, ex players and fans will build up pressure to ask for them to be dropped from the team.

 

[Saj]

Last 8 overs - 54/6

You will not win many matches with these numbers.

 

[MenInG]

Moeen Ali | Winning captain - Brilliant performance, they got off to a great start, but we pulled things back in the middle overs, the bowlers were excellent. On a tough surface, I thought the batters did well. Rashid and Wood's debut was outstanding, and was a good all-round performance from the bowling unit. We were smart with the chase, Alex Hales, batting after such a long time, he was nervous but showed why he's one of the best in the country. Brook showed why he's rated so highly back home, their partnership was wonderful to watch.

Babar Azam | Losing captain - We utilized the batting powerplay well, but we let the momentum slip after the 10th over. Credit to their bowlers, but we were not up to the mark and we didn't get the partnerships. They worked out the conditions well, but our batters should have done better. We're trying different combinations before the World cup, we'll test our bench strength and then go to the tournament with our best team

Luke Wood | Player of the Match - It was an enjoyable debut. It's different to England, it was a team performance and great to start with a win. They were off to a good start, so it was important to restrict them at the back end with wickets and the batters then did a good job.

 

[Fenrir]

It is very disappointing to see pitches with no grass.T20 WC will be played on quick and bouncy wickets so if all the matches against England are played on slow pitches then it will not be a good preparation for WC.Pitches similar to Dubai should be prepared.Leave some grass and make sure there is good bounce for fast bowlers.

 

[shamaan]

The score was underpar.

 

[Savak]

Last 8 overs - 54/6

You will not win many matches with these numbers.

Like I said, too many players in the middle order are playing for their spots.

 

[sweep_shot]

158 wasn't enough. Pakistan were 15 runs short.

 

[Mamoon]

Pakistan has too many players in the middle order playing for their spots in the team. It is hard to expect them to score 10-15 rpo in this scenario when in the back of their mind they know 1-2 failures will mean that social media, ex players and fans will build up pressure to ask for them to be dropped from the team.

It is lack of ability not lack of security.

 

[Omer2002]

We were never going to win any matches..the problem on paper we bat deep till nawaz n shadab but we are never aggressive

 

[PakLFC]

No urgency in batting or such. Need to score close to 200 to have any chance against a powerful England side. Again batting at the speed of a tortoise is meat and drink for the top sides.

 

[MenInG]

As Pakistan and England prime for the T20 World Cup, Alex Hales made a stunning return to the international game.

The tourists looked calm in their successful chase in Karachi, accounting for Pakistan's 158 with victory early in the last over.

All the key talking points from the first T20I.


Alex Hales' storming return

Just days ago it looked as if Alex Hales would forever be on the England outer, but three years on from his last appearance in England colours, the opener could well be a key player in their campaign in Australia next month.

Hales gave Pakistan bowlers headaches, setting up England’s chase with a ninth T20I fifty, making 53 (40) with seven boundaries. The opener moved the side to 47/1 from the Powerplay with Phil Salt (10) and Dawid Malan (20), and pushed along all the way until the 17th over, where he eventually fell to Haris Rauf.

Replacing Jonny Bairstow in the T20 World Cup squad after his freak injury, Hales, who boasts extensive domestic experience in Australia, now should lead England's tournament charge opening the batting.


Pakistan’s openers reliable, though late-over batting needs to improve

The score splits of Pakistan’s innings will not be pleasant reading for their fans, desperate to see questions answered at the backend.

At 87/1 at the halfway mark, the platform was set for a total of 175 or more, only for a second half of 71/6, limping to 158.

The side scored just 38 in the final five overs, with the loss of Mohammad Rizwan (68 off 46 balls) in the 15th over preventing a late onslaught.

Iftikhar Ahmed (28 off 17 balls) tried his utmost, though couldn't find a partner to join him, as Shan Masood (7), Mohammad Nawaz (4) and Khushdil Shah (5) failed to make headway.

Asif Ali's heroics at last year's T20 World Cup are fresh in the memory, though it remains unclear who will be trusted at the death in next month's tournament.


Harry Brook the finisher?

Playing his fifth T20I, Harry Brook enjoyed his best outing so far in English colours, making an unbeaten 42* from 25 balls, and steering his side home in the final over.

Brook looked arguably the most comfortable of the English batters on the Karachi surface, hitting seven boundaries, the last of which sealing the game.

The No.5 joined Hales with England needing eight runs per over, and showed maturity that belied both his age and experience, dragging the required rate down gradually in a well-calculated chase.

ICC

 

[MenInG]

How the Pakistan wickets fell

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