Highlights from the Pakistan vs England 6th T20I: On Friday at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore, England defeated Pakistan by 170 runs in 14.3 overs.
England’s Phil Salt hit a blistering half-century as England cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in their sixth Twenty20 match in Lahore on Friday, leveling the seven-match series at 3-3. Salt, who had struggled for runs before the game, looked in command from the start, opening his innings with two fours before helping England reach 100 in seven overs with a six off Aamer Jamal.
Alex Hales supported him with a breezy 27, and Dawid Malan contributed 26, both batsmen falling to Shadab Khan’s leg-spin.
Pakistan’s wickets were merely a consolation as Salt continued his onslaught and scored the winning runs in the 15th over, finishing with 13 fours and three sixes in his 41-ball knock.
Regular England white-ball captain Jos Buttler said he was taking a ‘cautious approach to his return to cricket after recovering from a calf injury ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022, which begins next month in Australia.
Buttler hasn’t played in a competitive game since August 18 because of a calf injury suffered during The Hundred.
He is on tour with England for the seven T20Is in Pakistan, where he observes his teammates.
With England having two more Twenty20 Internationals against Pakistan and three against Australia before their T20 World Cup opener against Afghanistan on October 22 in Perth, Buttler is understandably cautious and taking his time returning to full fitness.
“I’m making good progress.” We are being cautious because the World Cup is just around the corner. I’m running, loading up, and feeling good.
I could play in a World Cup game tomorrow, but I’m being cautious and taking it slowly. “I could play if I had to,” Buttler told Sky Sports during the fifth T20I in Lahore.
Mohammed Ali: We were delighted, especially with the way we batted. We immediately killed the game, demonstrating that we can win if we stick to the processes.
Today’s seamers were excellent. There was no slogging today, just some good off-side and leg-side shots from our batters.
It’s been a good series, 3-3 going into the final with everything to play.
(On Jos Buttler) He’s been training a lot more recently, but we’re unsure if we can risk him with the World Cup so close. There are also games to play in Australia.
A cracking start to our chase ๐ง
Scorecard: https://t.co/2iUEyJbFKG
๐ต๐ฐ#PAKvENG ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ pic.twitter.com/IIMDeGKN2V
โ England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 30, 2022
England make it 3๏ธโฃ-3๏ธโฃ with a game to go ๐#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/GDwkVbUURk
โ Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 30, 2022
Babar Azam: We thought 170 was a good score after losing a couple of early wickets.
We may have been ten runs short, but the way Salt batted in the first 4-5 overs effectively ended the game.
The way they used the powerplay today was different. I believe the middle order needs to step up and take responsibility.
As openers, we must form alliances to avoid putting them under pressure.
Phil Salt, Player of the Match: This is one of my best T20I knocks, and it’s a great time to do it with the series on the line.
When you’re playing well but picking outfielders at the top of the order, it’s always a challenge.
But I’ve had the support of the team, who have been very clear about how they want me to play.
Some of the best teams have competition, which is undoubtedly helpful.