No fairytale finish for Pakistan as England lift the T20 WC for the second time

The similarities have ended. Pakistan's dream of repeating their 1992 feat was shattered as a ruthless England defeated Babar Azam and Co. to lift their second T20 World Cup title.

12 years gone since their maiden triumph in the West Indies, England, who were already the 50-over World Champions, strengthened their foothold in T20Is too, with Jos Buttler's team completing a comprehensive five-wicket win.

On the big stage, it was once again that man, Ben Stokes, who rose to the occasion and shepherded England's 138-run target with a half-century.

Ever since Pakistan qualified for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2022, there has been endless noise as to how their current campaign is strikingly similar to the 1992 50-overs World Cup, also held in Australia.

The rise-from-the-Ashes story, and MCG final, against the same opponent from 30 years ago… heck, the trivia-obsessed statisticians even dup up a couple of unreal resemblances – such as the first ball of the match being a no-ball and Pakistan losing their fifth wicket. However, despite all the coincidences, the end result was different.

It was almost as if England continued their batting from where they left off against England.

Ben Stokes and Sam Curran starred as England edged Pakistan to win the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday and become the sport’s first dual white-ball champions, holding both the 50- and 20-over titles.

Jos Buttler’s side held Pakistan to 137-8 in front of a partisan 80,462 fans at a heaving Melbourne Cricket Ground before Stokes’s unbeaten 52 steered them to a five-wicket victory with six balls remaining.

Although the green shirts fell short in during the first innings, they almost made the match with superb bowling. Pakistan pacers led by Shaheen and Haris Rauf did a remarkable job of keeping their team in the hunt despite just 137 to defend. -APP