By India Blooms News Service Nov 13, 2022
Melbourne: All-rounder Ben Stokes recreated history as he remained unbeaten at 52 to ensure England beat spirited Pakistan by five wickets in the final of the T20 World Cup to clinch the trophy here on Sunday.
In a low-scoring encounter, as per T20 cricket standards, Pakistan were first restricted at 137 runs for the loss of eight wickets and then Melbourne witnessed Bens magic as he cruised England to the winning target of 138 runs for the loss of five wickets.
Ben Stokes, who was also the hero in the 50 Over World Cup victory in 2019, took charge from the front after England lost few quick wickets and reached the target with six balls to spare.
He hit five boundaries and a six in the innings to ensure England become the second team to lift the T20 World Cup in the history of the iconic tournament.
England had last won the trophy in 2010 under the leadership of former skipper Paul Collingwood.
Apart from England, only West Indies clinched the trophy twice.
The moment we won our second Mens T20 World Cup! ? pic.twitter.com/Ajbvuze0gb
England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 13, 2022
In 2016, West Indies had defeated England in Kolkata to lift the title for the second time.
Chasing 138 for victory, England were once reduced to 4-84 and the responsibility of carrying the momentum in the match further fell on the shoulders of Ben and Moeen Ali (19).
Pakistan were slowly moving back in the match by keeping things tight and taking wickets at regular intervals.
However, things changed in Englands favour when injured Shaheen Afridi could not completely bowl his third over at a crucial juncture in the clash when Pakistan was dominating the proceedings.
Iftikhar Ahmed gave away 13 runs in the five balls he bowled as a replacement to Shaheen and that changed the course of the game.
Skipper Jos Buttler contributed 26 runs with the willows and gave England a strong start in the innings.
Haris Rauf picked up two wickets for Pakistan and remained the key wicket taker for Pakistan.
Earlier, England bowlers Sam Curran and Adil Rashid produced exceptional performances to choke Pakistan at 137/8 in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup final at the MCG here on Sunday.
Both shared five wickets between them, while Chris Jordan ensured Mark Wood was not missed. Curran and Rashid were unplayable as the former was getting swing in the air and the latter getting turn and bounce.
Captain Jos Buttler did not think twice before sending Pakistan in to bat in the overcast conditions at the MCG and the decision paid dividends as Curran packed off Mohammad Rizwan for 14.
Rashid scalped the prize wicket of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, who tried to bring the innings back on track as it was going at a snails pace.
Shan Masood (38) and Shadab Khan (20) got some useful runs, but England will be pretty confident of chasing down the target to claim their second T20 World Cup title.