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 39/1 (6.0) - Azam 17 (17), Haris 4 (7)
Azam times one for no gain, but Pakistan need to see the ball with a bit of a hurry as we reach the second quarter of the innings.
Woakes sent to the boundary, down to fine leg after picking the slower one.
Then chipped up, panic... But it’s safe and Jordan hurries around to keep it to one.
Edged... It falls short, Pakistan continue to struggle early. It doesn’t carry to backward point. Haris is out of sync, his timing is off here, will he catch one to settle the nerves?
An extra as Woakes drags one wide of Haris’ pads, the final ball of the power play...
That’s sublime, delicately flicked up and down to fine leg for a much-needed four.
Pakistan 29/1 (5.0) Azam 11 (13), Haris 0 (4) - Rizwan bowled by Curran!
A nerve-settler for Pakistan in that last over, they needed it.
Bu Curran breaks through, Rizwan drags on, GONE!
In comes Muhammad Haris...
Haris looking to tickle one down to third man, but can’t find the gap.
And a big swing to the fences! Curran licking his lips, this will be fun at the very least. Haris will not go with any regrets it seems.
Another dot ball to end it, Curran with superb work to give up just one run and take a wicket.
Pakistan 28/0 (4.0) - Azam 11 (13), Rizwan 15 (13)
MASSIVE! That’ll work after a slow start, Rizwan sweeps one to square leg for SIX!
Woakes responds well though, three runs from the next four balls, in the block hole.
Azam whips one to the onside, it’s not timed again, but they’ll hurry for three. Good running.
Pakistan 16/0 (3.0) - Azam 6 (10), Rizwan 7 (9)
Sam Curran in for England in the first change, a drifter that goes across.
And again, Babar can only get one with this drive, Livingstone picks it up nicely.
There’s frustration creeping in for Pakistan, England bowling well here.
Pakistan 12/0 (2.0) - Azam 5 (6), Rizwan 4 (7)
Woakes in for England, Babar looking for the cover drive.
It’s then whipped to the leg side for a single.
Rizwan struggling to time it early, with the strike rotated for a couple more to the total.
Pakistan 8/0 (1.0)
Nice shape and swing from Stokes, but that’s a no ball to kick things off.
Free hit coming, Pakistan fans love that!
Another free hit coming, oh dear, Stokes shakes his head, Marais Erasmus signals once again.
Some venom there with the bounce, a dot ball. A good response.
Drama! England could have a runout, Jordan launches, Rizwan would be gone if it clatters the stumps, he’s well out, but Pakistan survive.
Azam with a nice cut and grabs three runs, 8/0 after one then.
Pakistan vs England: T20 World Cup Final
Here we go then, let the drama commence.
It’s Ben Stokes to Mohammad Rizwan...
Pakistan vs England: T20 World Cup Final
Pakistan vs England: T20 World Cup Final
Morgan: “It’s the most incredible feeling [to walk out in a World Cup final]. You just want the first ball to be bowled, the match to start and get down to business.
“England have the majority of family and friends here, it’s an incredible journey they’ve been to.”
England vs Pakistan: T20 World Cup Final Latest Odds
Match winner
- Pakistan: 13/8
- England 8/15
Most Runs
- Babar Azam 11/2
- Jos Buttler 11/2
- Mohammad Rizwan 11/2
- Alex Hales 13/2
- Phil Salt 9/1
- Mohammad Haris 10/1
- Ben Stokes 11/1
- Shan Masood 11/1
- Moeen Ali 12/1
- Iftikhar Ahmed 16/1
- Harry Brook 18/1
- Liam Livingstone 18/1
- Mohammad Nawaz 18/1
- Shadab Khan 18/1
Most Sixes
- Pakistan 11/8
- Tie: 13/2
- England 4/5
Most Fours
- Pakistan: 1/1
- Tie: 10/1
- England 1/1
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