Jos Buttler was the undisputed star of England’s series-clinching win over Pakistan, hitting a century from just 46 balls – the fastest in England’s one-day worldwide history and joint seventh on the world list.
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Buttler’s innings helped England, for whom Jason Roy (102) had laid the foundation with his own hundred, a maiden one, to a total of 355 for five, with Joe Root contributing 71 off 71 balls.
Babar Azam (51) and Shoaib Malik (52) kept their side in the hunt with brisk half-centuries, but when the latter became the sixth batsman out, with 128 still required, Pakistan had too much to do. Balls in bracket indicate the number when the century was scored.
“England’s preparations for the tournament begin on November 26 when they take on Pakistan at the Dubai worldwide Cricket Stadium and Bayliss believes his side should head into the T20 series full of confidence”.
However, Azhar continued to dominate Woakes, hitting him for another six and a four, but was dismissed in the next over by Willey who took a good return catch.
Pakistan have made two changes as Ahmed Shehzad is back in place of Iftikhar Ahmed, while spinner Yasir Shah has recovered from his knee injury to replace Zafar Gohar.
Jos Buttler’s brilliant 46-ball hundred left his England team-mates speechless as they watched his sustained power-hitting and ingenious deflections from the dressing room.
England won the toss and chose to bat in the fourth and final one-day worldwide in Dubai today as Pakistan rejigged their line-up in a bid to save the series.
It was disappointing for the first large crowd of the series that Pakistan performed so poorly throughout, but England will not be complaining as they completed their first win of the tour.
After a trio of calamitous run outs in the third game of the series as Pakistan collapsed from 132-2 to 208 all out, Mohammad Hafeez (37) was the victim of another mix-up between the wickets to leave the score reading 129-3.
“It’s another step on the way to that world cup”.
Eoin Morgan’s men were well set, but when Root was stumped by Sarfraz Ahmed seven balls later and Morgan himself followed shortly after, England had slumped to 227-4.
“So many (words) were used to describe it – but one that wasn’t was a surprise”.
“I don’t really understand how it can turn around so fast, but it was a great day and to win the series over here is no mean feat”.
“But we all realise the importance of this game so we will do our hardest work to win and I am confident that if we play to our ability then we can definitely win this game”.
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“To come back shows not just the skill but the character this team has as well”, he said.
