a fresh look The English team won the first T20 match by six wickets on Tuesday in Karachi, completing their 17-year absence from Pakistan in an unforgettable style.
To lead England’s pursuit of a modest 159-run goal in 19.2 overs, opener Alex Hales smashed a 40-ball 53 in his maiden international match following a three-year ban due to a failed recreational drug test.
At a packed National stadium, Pakistan’s opening batsman Mohammad Rizwan helped his team reach 158-7 in 20 overs after England had invited them to bat.
With the victory, England now leads the seven-match series 1-0.
In order to demonstrate support for those affected by the floods under their country, Pakistan’s players donned a special uniform for the match on which their names and numbers are displayed submerged in water.
The armbands were black as a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away earlier this month.
Hales, who was brought in after Jonny Bairstow’s injury forced him out, hit seven boundaries and shared 55 runs with Harry Brook, who finished with 42 not out, for the fourth wicket.
One of seven England players competing in the Pakistan Super League this year, Brook hit seven boundaries in a solid 25-ball innings.
Other contributors from England included Phil Salt (ten), Dawid Malan (20), and Ben Duckett (21).
Rizwan once again held up Pakistan’s inning.
After England won the toss and decided to field, Rizwan, who had scored the most runs in the Asia Cup earlier this month (281), added 85 runs for the first wicket with skipper Babar Azam (31).
In spite of Iftikhar Ahmed’s 17-ball 28, which included three sixes, Pakistan only scored 71 runs in the final ten overs while losing six wickets.
With only seven runs, Shan Masood, a rookie, failed while Haider Ali scored eleven.
Luke Wood, a pacer making his England debut, finished with 3-24, while Adil Rashid, a spinner, grabbed 2-27.
The remaining games will be played at Lahore and Karachi on September 22, 23, and 25. (September 28, 30 and October 2).
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haider Ali, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Qadir, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani
England: Phil Salt, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, David Willey, Luke Wood, Adil Rashid, Richard Gleeson
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