Daily Dispatch

Babar, Rizwan power Pakistan to victory over England

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Babar Azam hit a brilliant century and Mohammad Rizwan scored 88 to lead Pakistan to a crushing 10-wicket win over England in the second Twenty20 Internatio­nal in Karachi on Thursday and level the seven-match series at 1-1.

Needing 200 for victory after Moeen Ali’s quick-fire half-century had led England to a large total, Babar (110) and Rizwan put on a batting masterclas­s to guide Pakistan home with three balls to spare. It was the highest run chase in men’s T20 cricket without losing a wicket.

Babar delighted the raucous home crowd by reaching his second T20 internatio­nal century in the 18th over from 62 balls and Rizwan, who was dropped on 23 runs by Alex Hales, finished with a 51-ball unbeaten 88.

England elected to bat first, with Hales and Phil Salt’s opening partnershi­p yielding 42 runs off 31 balls before Shahnawaz Dahani struck twice in two deliveries, bowling Hales and Dawid Malan to stop England in their tracks.

Impressive knocks from Ben Duckett (43) and Harry Brook (31) steadied the ship and skipper Moeen top-scored with an unbeaten 55 from 23 balls to carry England to 199-5.

England, on their first tour of Pakistan in 17 years, will play two more matches in Karachi and three in Lahore before returning in December for three Tests. —

 ?? GETTY IMAGES/ ALEX DAVIDSON ?? POWER MOVES: Pakistan's Babar Azam hits runs during the 2nd T20I match against England on Thursday in Karachi, Pakistan. Picture:
GETTY IMAGES/ ALEX DAVIDSON POWER MOVES: Pakistan's Babar Azam hits runs during the 2nd T20I match against England on Thursday in Karachi, Pakistan. Picture:

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