MELBOURNE, Australia (AP):
England confirmed their reputation as the masters of short-form cricket by claiming the Twenty20 World Cup with a stirring five-wicket triumph over Pakistan at the MCG on Sunday.
A combination of miserly bowling and poised batting proved the difference as England claimed their second T20 World Cup following their win in the West Indies in 2010.
After restricting Pakistan to 137-8, England struggled in the middle of their pursuit before Ben Stokes lifted the tempo with five overs remaining in Melbourne.
The all-rounder steadied England through a testing time and burnished his reputation for delivering in big matches by top-scoring with an unbeaten 52 runs off 49 balls.
England had one over to spare when Stokes struck the winning runs through mid-wicket, with the left-handed batter jumping into the air in celebration after a superb inning.
Largely dominant throughout the tournament, a shock loss to Ireland in a rain-affected match aside, England are the first nation to hold the T20 and 50-over World Cup titles in tandem.
In his first year as English captain, Jos Buttler led his country superbly throughout the month-long tournament in Australia and was delighted by his nation’s performance in the decider.
Sam Curran, who bowled superbly when taking 3-12 from four overs, was named both the player of the match and also of a tournament in which he finished with 13 wickets.
“I don’t think I should be getting this, the way Stokesy played there (but) we’re going to enjoy this occasion. (It’s) very special,” he said.
“The way I bowl, I go into the wicket with my slower balls and keep the batsmen guessing. (To be the) world champions, how good.”
While heavy rain fell around Melbourne on Sunday night, concerns that the final would be interrupted were unfounded with only a few drops falling early in England’s pursuit.
That was fortunate for England, who slipped behind the required run rate in the middle stages until Stokes’ settling innings, and also the 80,462 fans in attendance for the final.
Curran and right-arm leg spinner Adil Rashid were superb in helping restrict Pakistan, vindicating Buttler’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss.
Pakistan’s opening combination of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan combined for 29 runs before the latter dragged a delivery from Curran on to his stumps in the fifth over.
Azam, the Pakistan captain, batted with measured aggression until losing his wicket caught-and-bowled to Rashid for 32 runs off 28 balls in the 12th over.
Rashid’s variety and ability to surprise when finishing with figures of 2-22 from four overs proved crucial in helping England restrict Pakistan at a pivotal moment in their innings.