Melbourne: An unbeaten half-century by despite by Ben Stokes despite an unnerving and shaky start helped England claim their second T20 World Cup title with a five-wicket win over Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, November 13, a report in The Tribune, Chandigarh says.
Thirty years after losing the 50-over World Cup final to Pakistan at the iconic ground, England turned the tables on the Pakistanis with brilliant death bowling and with Stokes finishing on 52 not out in a chase of 138 for victory.
England has now become the first nation to hold both global white-ball titles, having won the 50-over World Cup on home soil in 2019.
In the nerve-wracking final win over New Zealand in 2019, Stokes also stood tall with an unbeaten 84. “In finals, especially chasing, you forgot all the hard work that came first,” Stokes said. “To restrict them to 130 or whatever it was, the bowlers take a lot of credit.”
All-rounder Sam Curran was the Player of the Match after finishing with figures of 3/12 as Pakistan collapsed late to finish on 137/8, having been sent in to bat by England captain Jos Buttler. Curran was named the Player of the Tournament as well for consistent brilliance in death bowling.
“Very special but I don’t think I should be getting this, I think the way Stokesy played there… To get a 50 in the final, he does it so many times for us,” said Curran. “We are going to enjoy this occasion, very special.”
“Adil Rashid and Sam Curran won us the game. It was a tricky wicket and one that you never felt in, so to restrict them to 130-odd, bowlers have to take a lot of credit for that”, said Ben Stokes
Nervous moments
The heavy rain that had been forecast never hit the MCG as England endured some nervous moments before Stokes struck a single off Mohammad Wasim to seal victory with six balls to spare.
Leg-spinner Adil Rashid did the early damage for England with two wickets, including the key scalp of captain Babar Azam for 32, before Pakistan crumbled in the final overs, losing four wickets for 10 runs.
“Our bowling is one of the best in the world. But for the unfortunate injury to Shaheen Afridi, it could have been a different result,” said Pakistan captain Azam.
Curran on target
Earlier, Curran set the tone for England as he had opener Rizwan chopping onto his stumps for 15, breaking a 29-run opening partnership with Azam. Rashid struck with his first ball when Mohammad Haris (8) slogged one to long-on but was caught by Stokes. Rashid then made a brilliant caught-and-bowled dismissal of Azam for 32 in a wicket-maiden over. Stokes had Iftikhar Ahmed caught behind for a duck, leaving Pakistan in trouble at 85/4.
Rocky start
England’s chase was shaky with Afridi bowling Alex Hales for one run. Buttler lost another partner when Phil Salt pulled Haris Rauf straight to Iftikhar Ahmed at midwicket to be caught for 10.
A fired-up Rauf then had Buttler nick behind for 26 as Pakistan fought back by reducing England to 45/3. England were soon shackled by quality pace, with Stokes and Brook slowing to a crawl.
England became only the second team after West Indies to win the T20 World Cup twice. They had also won the tournamnet in 2010 after beating Australia in the final
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