Courtesy a fine all-around performance from England in the second T20I, the scores were leveled. England and Pakistan will now play the third and final T20I on July 20, Tuesday, in Manchester.
As expected, the hosts England made a strong statement in the second T20I against Pakistan. They got their act together and posted a 200-run total. Eoin Morgan made a bold decision to drop himself and let Jos Buttler take the reins. Buttler played his typical game and looked fluent throughout. England would be glad after out of form Moeen Ali came good in the must-win game.
Add to that a mini Liam Livingstone blitzkrieg, England ticked all the boxes in the batting department. The bowling also came to the party, with Saqib Mahmood continuing to impress. However, the spinners Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali and Matthew Parkinson owned the scene, claiming 5 wickets between them. They will likely head into the decider without any changes.
Warning: Explicit content ⚠ 😅
Highlights: https://t.co/trLh0s1Q1S
🏴 #ENGvPAK 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/i5ThZNvJm2
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 18, 2021
Pakistan’s poor middle-order was once again exposed at Headingley. Bar their regular scorers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, none of the others made significant contributions. Azam Khan’s role in the team was questioned. However, the youngster might get one more chance in the third T20I. Pakistan were found wanting against the turning ball in the second T20I despite being good against spin traditionally.
Although it might be a one-off case, they need to regroup quickly in order to claim a series win. Since the tracks are usually flat for T20I’s in England, Pakistan pacers have been traveling all around the park. They might need to introduce a few more variations in the third T20I. The Men-in-Green are expected to make changes in the team, particularly in the bowling attack.
England vs Pakistan: Third T20I – Match Details
Match: England vs Pakistan, Third T20I
Date and Time: 20th July 2021, 11:00 pm IST
Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
Pitch Report
There have been 3 scores of 200+ in the four innings that have been played so far. The pitch is likely to be flat once more. So expect another mammoth total on the board, with the team winning the toss likely to bat first. Later on in the day, the bowlers might find assistance while playing under the lights.
Predicted Playing XI
Two leg spinners are bowling left handed batsman would have been ideal instead of Hafiz. What do you guys think ?
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) July 18, 2021
England: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (c & wk), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Tom Curran, Matthew Parkinson, Adil Rashid
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammed Hafeez, Sohaib Maqsood, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi
England vs Pakistan 2021: Third T20I – Dream11 Suggestions
Fantasy Suggestion 1: Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Mohammed Hafeez, Liam Livingstone, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Moeen Ali, Shadab Khan, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Shaheen Afridi
Captain: Babar Azam | Vice-captain: Jos Buttler
Fantasy Suggestion 2: Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Mohammed Rizwan, Liam Livingstone, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Moeen Ali, Tom Curran, Saqib Mahmood, Shaheen Afridi, Imad Wasim
Captain: Jos Buttler | Vice-captain: Mohammad Rizwan
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