Alex Hales smashed a six and a four in the final over to lead England to a series-tying 5-wicket victory against India.

A dumbfounded England team have now turned their focus to counter Kuldeep by using a spin-bowling machine, known as Merlyn, which will help mimic the chinaman's unique variations and skills.

India stand on the cusp of a sixth successive T20I series' win -- a run stretching back to their 2-1 win over New Zealand at home in November 2017.

There was nothing in my head. I never bowl looking at who the batsman is. I always try to do what I can do - Kuldeep Yadav

KL Rahul scored his second T20I century to guide India to an eight-wicket win against England in the first T20I at the Old Trafford, Manchester.

England humiliated Australia 6-0 in the ODI series ahead of the limited series against India, beginning on Tuesday.

With the 2019 ODI World Cup less than 12 months away, there is more than bragging rights at stake as both sides look to fine-tune preparations against an opposition of note.

Stokes, who tore his left hamstring during the Pakistan Test series, did not take part in England's 6-0 whitewash of Australia.

Pakistan's legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi will lead the ICC World XI in an exhibition Twenty20 International against West Indies after Eoin Morgan was ruled out of the May 31 game with a fractured finger.

The English domestic cricket is all set for yet another format of the game after the ECB had last week announced a revamped eight-team competition, which would see each side face just 100 balls.

The match is being organised to raise funds for stadia in the Caribbean, which were damaged due to hurricanes last year.

The match between World XI and West Indies will raise funds for two stadia in the Caribbean Islands that were damaged following Hurricanes Irma and Maria last year.

Stokes signaled his return to form after a five-month layoff with an unbeaten 63 as England surpassed New Zealand's total of 223 with more than 12 overs remaining.

Debates over the relevance of Test cricket have now become a regular occurrence with the T20I leagues gaining priority over other formats.

Chasing 195 to win against England, New Zealand only needed to reach 175 to ensure themselves a place in the finals based on run rate as both teams finished the round-robin stages of the tri-series series with one win each.

England are in dire need of batsmen like Buttler or Hales to support England's Test skipper Joe Root and veteran batsman, Alastair Cook.

Hosts England beat South Africa by 19 runs in the third and final T20 international, clinches series by 2-1.

An unfancied Pakistan thrashed hosts England by 8 wickets on Wednesday in the first semi-final to enter their maiden ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final.

Eoin Morgan knows England will top the group regardless of the result of their final pool fixture against Australia on Saturday.

Ali, who ended England's innings with a six off Chris Morris, was named man-of-the-match after also taking two wickets with his off-spin.