Pakistan vs England LIVE: T20 Cricket World Cup final result and reaction as Ben Stokes stars
England beat Pakistan by five wickets to the win the World Cup as Stokes was the hero once again
Ben Stokes was the hero with the bat once again as England successfully chased down Pakistan to win the T20 World Cup in a thrilling final in Melbourne.
Stokes produced his highest T20 score - finishing with an unbeaten 52 runs off 49 balls for his first half-century in the format - as the all-rounder produced another sublime performance on the biggest stage.
England were set 138 to win following wonderful bowling from Sam Curran and Adil Rashid and looked odds-on to add to complete the set of World Cups following their victory in the 50-over format in 2019.
But Pakistan responded to slow England’s momentum, removing Alex Hales early and then following with the wicket of Jos Buttler to set up a nervy finish at the MCG.
Stokes, as well as Moeen Ali, stood up to the challenge and turned the tide following a sensational 17th over that produced 16 runs as England swung for the boundaries. Ali was dismissed to leave England needing six runs off their final 10 balls - but Stokes completed his first T20 half-century to win the World Cup for England.
Follow all the reaction from the T20 World Cup final:
Pakistan 119/4 (16.0) - Shan 38 (26), Shadab 20 (12)
A desperate effort from Salt at the rope, he can’t prevent the Shadab boundary, this is crunch time!
This is the partnership then, if Pakistan are to have a chance in this final.
Stokes looking a little weary but a great job, 1 for 32 from his spell.
Pakistan 106/4 (15.0) - Shan 34 (23), Shadab 10 (8)
Shan clattered on the helmet by Jordan, medical timeout...
We’re back underway and Shan is fine, a tidy boundary off Jordan gives Pakistan some respite.
But England are alive in the field and close off an optimistic second as Shan looks to motor in the closing stages of the innings.
Score predictor has Pakistan at 152 and 9.1 per over.
Pakistan 98/4 (14.0) - Shan 28 (19), Shadab 8 (6)
Lovely from Shadab, puts Rashid to the boundary, sailed over his head. Pakistan needed that.
Will they take a few risks now? Rashid with a dot ball to finish the over, some spell!
Pakistan 90/4 (13.0)
Rashid has changed the game, turning it beautifully, will Buttler bowl him out?
Iftikhar struggling to get off the mark here...
GOT HIM! Stokes with another and Iftikhar edges one back to Buttler, England in dreamland!
Shadab Khan to the crease, huge responsibility, can he salvage this innings?
Pakistan have to go for 155-160, according to Morgan, a big ask now, surely?
Pakistan 84/3 (12.0) - Iftikhar Ahmed 0 (5), Shan Masood 22 (14)
GOT HIM! Rashid with the googly, Babar can’t read it and Rashid tumbles to the deck, clasping the ball, stunned silence at the MCG, England have a massive wicket.
Rashid on the attack and Moeen waiting to pounce at slip. Pakistan right up against this, the wrongun almost brings a second wicket from the over, stunnning from Rashid.
A maiden and a wicket of course, England in the driving seat now.
Pakistan 84/2 (11.0)
BIG! Shan clatters Livingstone to the boundary, much-needed and the Pakistan legion of supporters are alive.
HUGE! Another big hit, it’s gone a mile up, clears the rope and Livingstone being targeted here.
Another slashing stroke that sails over backward point, two more. Wow, Pakistan needed that. 16 runs off it!
Pakistan 63/2 (10.0) - Azam 29 (25), Shan 11 (10)
Rashid back into the attack and looking for more wickets.
Babar and Shan just manipulating the ball nicely to keep the scoreboard moving.
A wide with the sixth ball of the over gives Pakistan a chance to take a big chunk off the over and a misfield from Curran allows them to gain two bonus runs.
Pakistan 59/2 (9.0) - Azam 27 (23), Shan 5 (6)
Azam flicks one to fine leg to take four runs off Jordan.
The crowd needed that one, can Pakistan rally as they approach the half-way point of the innings?
This is frantic running, Shan pushing and hoping to get the scoreboard moving after shuffling across and pushing it into the square leg area.
Jordan finishes off the over by conceding another single, 10 off the over.
Pakistan 50/2 (8.0) - Azam 22 (20), Shan 1 (3)
Rashid into the attack and GONE!
What an impact, Haris can’t resist, he’s gone for 8 (12) as Stokes comfortably gathers that one.
A settler for Shan to get off the mark.
Pakistan 45/1 (7.0) - Azam 18 (18), Haris 8 (11)
Stokes back in then... Pulled to backward square leg, Azam still not heating up. England will be satisfied here.
The intent is all from Haris, again not caught well, but it’s back over Stokes’ head and is enough for a couple.
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