An unbeaten half-century from England captain Eoin Morgan and a brilliant T20I debut for Jofra Archer ensured England overcame Pakistan by seven wickets in Cardiff.
Archer took 2/29 as England restricted their opponents to 173/6, the newly qualified Englishman dismissing both of Pakistan's set batsmen in the same over. Morgan's 29-ball 57* then shepherded his side to victory over the MRF Tyres No.1 ranked side in the format, with a crunching straight six securing the match in the final over.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman (7) early to a stunning Morgan catch, and No.3 Imam Ul-Haq (7) became Archer's first victim in T20Is in the fifth over, edging a wicked bouncer behind to Archer's fellow debutant Ben Foakes.
MRF Tyres No.1 ranked T20I batsman Babar Azam then began to find a lovely rhythm alongside new batter Haris Sohail, the pair adding 101 for the fourth wicket. Babar brought up his half-century by hitting consecutive sixes off Joe Denly (0/15), who was hauled off after his over and not brought back into the attack.
Haris (50) notched his maiden T20I fifty before departing shortly afterwards, just as Pakistan's accumulation of runs was beginning to put England under real pressure. Archer's return catalysed an impressive middle-over comeback from the home side, having Haris caught on the midwicket boundary before running out Babar (65) with a sharp effort at the non-strikers end two balls later.
Azam and Sohail both brought up stylish half-centuries Azam and Sohail both brought up stylish half-centuries
Faheem Ashraf (17) and Imad Wasim (18*) helped push the tourists to 173/6, but England would have been delighted with the effort of their bowlers in keeping the total below 190.
England lost T20I debutant Ben Duckett (9) to Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/35) in the third over as he looked to clear cover with an ambitious drive, and James Vince fell for a well-made 27-ball 36 in the ninth, both batsmen effectively auditioning for a potential spot in the England side in this summer's home Men's Cricket World Cup.
Joe Root and Eoin Morgan then took responsibility in the middle, the latter taking a more aggressive approach while Root rotated strike in typically efficient style before clipping one to the keeper as he attempted to scoop, gifting Hasan Ali (1/42) his only scalp.
Morgan hit Faheem for six to win the game for England Morgan hit Faheem for six to win the game for England
A crucial 44-run stand for the fifth wicket then ensued, as Denly provided Morgan with solid company for the chase, quelling any threat of a late Pakistan insurgence.
Morgan carried on his assault, clubbing three sixes and five fours in his excellent unbeaten knock of 57 not out, and some late hitting from Denly (20*) helped England reach their target with four balls remaining.
England and Pakistan now face off in a five-match ODI series commencing on 8 May.
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