The fourth T20I match between England and Pakistan was a thrilling encounter at the Kennington Oval in London. England, leading the series 1-0, won the toss and elected to bowl first, setting the stage for a high-pressure contest. Pakistan, desperate to level the series and gain momentum ahead of the World Cup, faced a must-win situation.
Pakistan’s batting lineup is led by Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. showed initial resilience against England’s electric start. However, their progress was halted when Adil Rashid dismissed Rizwan and then Babar on the final ball of the powerplay, leaving Pakistan at 59-2. The tourist’s batting lineup struggled to recover, with England taking regular wickets to keep the scoreboard under control. Usman Khan, Pakistan’s top score with 38, was dismissed by Liam Livingstone, and the innings eventually folded for 157 in 19.5 overs.
England’s response was confident and aggressive. Phil Salt and captain Jos Buttler put on an 82-run partnership in just 6.2 overs, with Salt scoring 45 off 24 balls and Buttler making 39 off 21. Jonny Bairstow then sealed the victory with an unbeaten 28, guiding England to 158 for 3 in 15.3 overs and a seven-wicket win.
The match was marked by several key moments. Rashi’s dismissal of Babar and Rizwan set the tone for Pakistan’s collapse, while Livingstone’s double-wicket maiden over in the 15th over effectively ended Pakistan’s batting resistance. England’s bowlers, including Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, and Rashid, shone brightly, restricting Pakistan to a meager total and then taking regular wickets to keep the scoreboard under control.
In the context of the series, England’s win secured a 2-0 victory, while Pakistan’s loss left them with a chance to draw to series in the final match. The outcome of this series has significant implications for both teams, with England looking to build momentum ahead of the World Cup and Pakistan seeking to gain confidence and momentum before the tournament.
The match also highlighted several key players. Rashid’s bowling heroics, including the crucial dismissals of Babar and Rizwan, were instrumental in England’s victory. Livingstone’s bowling, particularly his double-wicket maiden, was a turning point in the match. Buttler’s aggressive batting, which included a 45-run partnership with Salt, set the tone for England’s chase. For Pakistan, Usman Khan’s 38 was the highest score, but the team’s batting lineup struggled to recover from the early setbacks.
Overall, the fourth T20I match between England and Pakistan was a thrilling encounter that showcased the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. England’s dominant bowling performance and aggressive batting secured a 2-0 series win, while Pakistan’s batting lineup struggled to recover from early setbacks. The outcome of this series has significant implications for both teams, with England looking to build momentum ahead of the World Cup and Pakistan seeking to gain confidence and momentum before the tournament.