England’s new-look bowling attack left Pakistan behind as the visitors thrashed Pakistan by a mammoth 63 runs on Friday.
Needing a huge target of 222 under the lights at the National Stadium Karachi, Pakistan were hoping for a repeat performance from the opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
However, he was taken out early courtesy of Mark Wood, who bowled 156 kmph on his return, and Reece Topley.
First Wood sent Babur (8) packing. He was caught by Topley at third man. In the next over, Topley went through Rizwan’s defence.
On Thursday, the duo put on a record 203-run stand to guide Pakistan to an emphatic 10-wicket win.
His departure led to mayhem as Hyder Ali (3) and Iftikhar Ahmed (6) retreated to the dugout without making significant contributions. At this stage, Pakistan were reduced to 28-4.
Khushdil Shah and Shan Masood put on a 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket to show some resistance to the bowling attack.
First he targeted England’s spinner, did he smash England captain Moeen Ali for 10, the first over of Pakistan’s innings where he scored in double figures. Shaun then hit Adil Rashid through the covers and hit a full toss into the stands.
Both treated Sam Curran the same way, as he conceded 14 runs. At this stage, Pakistan reached 75-4 after 10 overs – 14 runs short of England at the same stage of the game (89-2, 10 overs).
In the 12th over, Rashid came back into the attack and got a crucial wicket of Khushdil (29), who tried to clear long-on.
Meanwhile, Shaan, batting for the second time in the format, made a good stand with Mohammad Nawaz (19). He scored 52 runs off 38 balls for the fifth wicket. Shaun completed his maiden T20I half-century. He remained not out by scoring 65 runs off 44 balls. The left-hander hit a boundary and four maximums.
For England, Mark Wood impressed with the ball as he took 3 for 24 in his four overs.
Adil Rashid took two wickets for 32 runs in his four overs.
Earlier, Harry Brook and Ben Duckett scored first half-centuries as England built a record total against Pakistan in front of a capacity crowd.
The duo easily ended England’s innings with a score of 221-3 – a record total against Pakistan in the format. It was also the highest T20I total at the venue.
Brooke was joined by Duckett in the ninth over of the innings after the departure of debutant Will Jacks, who scored a brilliant 40 off 22 balls.
The pair immediately struck against Pakistan’s bowling attack. First Brook hit Usman Qadir for two maximums then Duckett swept Mohammad Nawaz twice for boundaries.
The pair hit 16 boundaries and six maximums as they took a record fourth wicket for the visitors. He scored an unbeaten 139 off 69 balls.
Harry Brooke played a dominant hand in the stands, where he scored a career-best 81 off 35 balls under lights in Karachi. He hit eight fours and five huge sixes in his brilliant innings.
Meanwhile, Duckett, who scored 70 runs off 42 balls, played a career-best innings. He also hit eight fours and knocked Mohammad Hasnain out of the park.
Both Duckt and Brooke, who batted in the series, have played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Quetta Gladiators and Lahore Qalandars respectively.
Shahnawaz Durmani, who conceded the second-worst figure in T20Is for Pakistan, looked colorful in the game. He was first hit by David Mullan and Will Jacks on the power play.
Later, Brooke and Duckett enjoyed batting against Dahanai in the death overs. The Larkana fast bowler finished with figures of 0-62 in his four overs.
Jacks, who was playing his first T20I, laid a perfect platform for the visitors, hitting eight fours in his 40-run innings. For Pakistan, Mohammad Hasnain, who was killed in the second T20I, made a good comeback and finished with figures of 1-36 from his four-over spell.
Usman Qadir took two wickets by conceding 48 runs in his four overs.
England lead the seven-match series 2-1 and the fourth T20I is scheduled to be played at the same venue on Sunday.
