 |
|
|
|
England cruise as Pakistan collapse
England wrapped up a 2-0 Twenty20 series victory over Pakistan after the tourists suffered the embarrassment of being dismissed for 89 to add to their off-field problems in Cardiff on Tuesday.
Match Highlights
Full ScoringWorld Twenty20 champions England finished on 90 for four to complete a six-wicket win with 36 balls to spare, having won by five wickets here on Sunday.
Pakistan's total was their worst in 40 matches at this level while England's seventh straight Twenty20 international win saw them equal a record held jointly by South Africa and Pakistan.
"It was irresponsible the way we played," said Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. "England are the world champions. We have to take more responsibility and show more pride."
By contrast, elated England skipper Paul Collingwood said: "It's a special achievement and we obviously did it during the best time which was during the World Cup.
"We are just doing a lot of things really good - and we still have a lot of intent with the bat as well. Hopefully that continues into the future."
Yorkshire seamer Tim Bresnan took three wickets for 10 runs in 3.4 overs as Pakistan fell well short of their previous worst Twenty20 international score of 125 for nine in 20 overs against Australia at Melbourne in February.
England had held Pakistan to 126 for four on Sunday.
But they did even better in this match as Pakistan were bowled out with eight balls of their innings left.
Stuart Broad, left-arm quick Ryan Sidebottom and off-spinner Graeme Swann took two wickets each, while left-arm spinner Michael Yardy's four overs cost just 10 runs.
Umar Akmal's 17 was the top score for 2009 World Twenty20 winners Pakistan.
PAKISTAN COLLAPSED
The tourists, after captain Shahid Afridi won the toss, collapsed to 22 for four off five overs – after taking 11 off the first from Sidebottom.
Bresnan started the slump when Kamran Akmal, for the second match in a row, top-edged a pull which was well caught by Swann.
Mohammad Yousuf, already dropped once, fell for two when he hooked Bresnan to Ravi Bopara at deep square leg as he too exited in similar fashion to the way he'd departed Sunday.
The big-hitting Afridi was out fourth ball when trying to carve Broad and was caught by Eoin Morgan.
Shazaib Hasan was undone by a well-directed Broad bouncer and was caught down the legside by wicketkeeper Steven Davies, the fast bowler taking two wickets for two runs in five balls.
Umar Akmal cheered up Pakistan fans in a meagre crowd of just 5 821 with a straight six off Swann, and repeated the dose in Swann's next over.
However, he was bowled the following ball trying to smash a slower delivery.
Bresnan ended the innings when he yorked Shoaib Akhtar.
England briefly wobbled in reply, losing two wickets on 26, and then two more in quick succession to be 63 for four.
But Morgan (18 not out) and Yardy (6 not out) saw England home.
Pakistan's tour has been overshadowed by a 'spot-fixing' scandal that has seen Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif all suspended by the International Cricket Council after allegedly conspiring to deliberately bowl no-balls during last month's fourth Test at Lord's.
England, who won the Test series 3-1, will look for another victory against Pakistan when the teams meet in the first of five one-day internationals at Chester-le-Street on Friday.
Afridi, trying to remain upbeat added: "We are still making mistakes, but on this stage I just want one victory because one victory will keep the morale of my team high."
Teams:
Pakistan: Shahzaib Hasan, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Hafeez, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Yousuf, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi (capt), Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar
