England are touring Pakistan for the first time in 17 years and the 7 match T20I series is going down the wire. The 6th game of the series saw England swat aside the Pakistani challenge to level the series at 3-3. England and Pakistan both are using this series to get tuned in for the T20 World Cup which starts in 15 days. After the world cup, England go back to Pakistan to play a 3 match test series for the World Test Championship points.
Haider Ali’s shot gets Aleem Dar –
England won the toss and chose to bowl first with the dew starting to take effect. The incident occurred during the final over of the power play with Haider Ali facing Richard Gleeson the English quick. Gleeson bowled a short ball to Ali clocked at 134 and the batter pulled it towards square leg. The ball travelling quick got Aleem Dar flush on his back. The umpire did not have time to react and was hit dealing a severe blow, the English players were quick to check on him and Aleem Dar seemed ok.
Ouch! 😬#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/DaD6EwSaVV
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 30, 2022
Babar Azam’s 87 leads Pakistan to 169 –
Batting first, Pakistan lost the wickets of Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood for 7 and 0 as they were placed at 15 for 2 in the 4th over. Azam and Haider Ali then added 47 before Ali fell for 18. The skipper though seemed to be enjoying playing in his home ground as he scored 87 off 59 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes. He was supported by Iftikhar Ahmed who scored 31 to help Pakistan reach 169 on the board.
Phil Salt’s assault leaves Pakistan gasping for breath –
Chasing 170 to win and level the series at 3-3, Alex Hales and Phil Salt put boots into the Pakistani bowling attack. The pair attacked right from the word go as they scored 55 runs for the 1st wicket in just 4 overs. Hales fell to Dahani for 27 off 12 balls with 4 fours and a six. Salt and Malan did not offer any respite as they added 73 for the 2nd wicket from 40 balls with Malan scoring 26 off 18 balls. Once Malan fell, it was Ben Duckett and Salt who took the team through with 42 run stand in just 30 balls.
Phil Salt was not out on 88 off 41 balls with 13 fours and 3 sixes, while Duckett was not out on 26 off 16 balls with 4 fours. The final game will be played on Sunday at Lahore.