Updated on: November 13, 2022 19:14 IST
England have done it. They are the 2022 T20 World Champions. They have held their nerves, all thanks to Stokes and Moeen, who batted out the tricky phase after the drinks break. This will feel so good for Ben Stokes, who once again showed that he is a big match player. So, England have become the first team in history to hold both, 50 over and 20 over World Cup at the same time. It's a heartbreak for Pakistan and their fans, who kept believing that this World Cup was a photostat of the 1992 ODI World Cup for them. Not to be today. But they showed a wonderful fight in defending 137 against a dominant batting attack. It showed, rightly why that their bowling attack is one of the best. Jos Buttler and co. dances in joy. They were good with the ball and good with the bat and won the contest in the second last over by 5 wickets. It was a pleasure brining this to you. Hope you enjoyed it as well. I Varun Malik, sign off, take care, Ta ta.
Stokes and Moeen have probably done it here. Iftikhar's over was the decisive one and now they have taken Wasim on. Shall be wrapped up quickly.
Shaheen Afridi walks back with an injury issue and this could be a big moment in the game. He probably hurt himself while taking Brook's catch. Iftikhar to bowl for Shaheen.
Pakistan have been right on the money after the drinks break. They are not letting England get this easily and have staged a good comeback. England still have Stokes there but Pakistan have crucial overs of Rauf, Shaheen and Wasim left in the bank. It's getting way exciting now.
Shadab Khan gets a crucial wicket of Brook. Pressure did it to Brook. Those two economical overs and a wicket, Pakistan stay alive. ENG just need to hold themselves.
Pakistan have bowled two beautiful overs. Just 5 runs in the 11th and 12 over by Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah. It was like a test match bowling by Shah. Can Pakistan create some magic?
England are well and truly on the course to chase this target. Despite losing three wickets, they have been able to keep the flow of runs going. Just 61 are needed off 60 now. Pakistan need wickets to get back in this.
Pakistan's main man Shaheen Afridi has got the wicket in the first over itself. What a peach of a delivery that was from the left-armer. A perfect inswinging ball from over the wicket and Hales has been bowled.
The England opening pair of Jos Buttler and Alex Hales are out in the middle. Shaheen Afridi will start Pakistan's proceedings. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah vs Jos Buttler and Alex Hales, it will be some contest to watch out.
Pakistan finish at 137 in 20 overs. Not a finish that they would have liked. England were clinical with the ball and had the majority of the moments from this innings. Getting Rizwan and Haris early set the tone for England, while Azam and Iftikhar's wicket got England in the driver's seat. Shan Masood and Shadab Khan stabilised things and brought Pakistan back, eyeing for a strong finish. But they both went back in quick succession, giving Pakistan 137 in the end. Sam Curran and Adil Rashid were the picks of the bowlers. England have strong batting, while Pakistan have a powerhouse in their bowling. It will be treat to watch this contest. Coming back with the chase in a moment.
Pakistan have lost another wicket in the final overs. Not a finish that they would have wanted.
Sam Curran gets another one as Pakistan lose their 7th wicket. Fuller length ball, Nawaz could not find the gap on the leg side and an easy take for Livingstone at deep mid-wicket. Pakistan losing way.
Back-to-back wickets as Shadab Khan goes back after Shan Masood. The two were looking good but the England bowlers displaying good work. This was a length ball, Khan played it to long-on, could not time it and easy pickings.
Sam Curran gets the big wicket of Shan Masood. A good length ball and Masood lofted it to deep mid-wicket but could not clear the fielder. A big wicket at a crucial moment.
Middle-order batter Shan Masood is leading Pakistan's charge after wickets went down in quick succession. He has displayed some fine strokes so far. Runs coming for Pakistan and they need both Masood and Shadab to stay out if they have to get a big total.
The England players are wearing black armbands in the final against Pakistan. This is to pay tribute to David English, who passed away on November 12. He is considered as Godfather of English cricket.
England get another wicket and Pakistan are in trouble in the final. A good-length ball, kisses the shoulder of the bat and Buttler grabs the easy take. Pakistan four down without much on the board as Shadab Khan now comes in.
Adil Rashid gets the big wicket of Pakistan captain Babar Azam. A beautiful googly as it came straight to Azam's body giving him no room to play with. He managed to hit it straight towards the bowler and Rashid grabs a good catch.
A big battle between Adil Rashid and Babar Azam is going on at the 'G'. Rashid has got him out 3 times in 10 innings.
Adil Rashid gets the wicket of Mohammad Haris on his first ball. Back-to-back wickets for England. This was a lofted ball and Haris came down the track to smash him over long-on. Not of the middle of the bat and Stokes holds on to that one easily at long-on.
The Powerplay comes to an end. A mix of moments for both Pakistan and England. Pakistan lost Rizwan in the fifth over but Babar Azam is still out there with the youngster Mohammad Haris.
The Pakistani openers have made a steady start here after 3 overs. The score reads 16/0 as England bowlers are keeping things tight.
Pakistani openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are out in the middle as Ben Stokes begins England's proceedings.
Anthems time at the MCG. England's anthem followed by Pakistan's.
The pitch at the MCG is very hard with some patches of green, informs Ian Bishop. There is a good swing and bounce and the bowlers will be able to swing more in the early part of the innings.
The journey of Pakistan in this World Cup represents a series of shocking coincidences to their 1992 World Cup triumph. They faced England in the final at MCG then, and have the same opponents at the same venue now. Here's all the coincidences that are falling in place for Pakistan by Jishu bhattacharya.
Pakistan: Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi
England: Jos Buttler(w/c), Alex Hales, Philip Salt, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid
Jos Buttler wins the toss and opt to bowl first. No change for any side. Mark Wood and Dawid Malan will miss out the final match.
England and Pakistan have formidable attacks up in their ranks. While Pakistan's bowling breath fire, England's batting is no less than jaw dropping. What shall prevail today?
It's the final match of the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia as two heavyweights Pakistan and England look to clinch their second World title in the shortest format. 10 days back, it was looking Pakistan will be heading back to their nation empty handed. But Pakistan have now come a long way, qualifying for semis with help of luck and beating New Zealand in the semis. For England, they too suffered shock defeat against Ireland in Super 12 and managed to qualify only after clinching close victories against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, before thumping India in semis. It's now a reload of the 1992 ODI World Cup final and Pakistan believe they have a proper throwback to the 1992 World Cup and will clinch another title. But England are not an easy side for sure and their batting is breathing fire at the right time. It shall be mouthwatering contest. So, grab your seats and take some snacks as I, Varun Malik take you across this final encounter.
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