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The fifth T20I between Pakistan and England turned out to be a nail-biting thriller where the hosts managed to seal the victory to go 3-2 up in the ongoing seven-match series.
After being asked to bat first, the Men in Green were bundled out for just 145 in 19 overs at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Only three batters managed to score in double figures, with Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s crisis man, yet again stepping up to the occasion to bail out his side and take them to a competitive total.
Despite wickets falling at the other end, Rizwan kept his concentration intact and stayed alive till the 18th over to ensure the home team got past the 130-run mark. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed yet another half-century, scoring a crucial 63 from 46 deliveries with the help of 2 fours and 3 sixes before Sam Curran dismissed him.
For the tourists, Mark Wood was the pick of the bowler, taking a brilliant three-wicket haul for 20 in his quota of 4 overs. Curran (2/23) and David Willey (2/23) also bagged a couple of scalps each.
In response, England fell only six runs short of Pakistan’s total as the contest went down to the wire. The visitors needed 15 runs in the final over with captain Moeen Ali in the middle. However, debutant Aamer Jamal held his nerves and conceded only 8 runs to propel Pakistan to a thrilling victory.
Moeen was the only major highlight in the unsuccessful chase for the English side. The all-rounder scored an unbeaten 51 from 37 balls, including 2 fours and 4 sixes but couldn’t take his team over the finish line.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Another final-over thriller sealed! 🙌
Pakistan lead the series 3️⃣-2️⃣ 💪#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/OW1SIGJkqr
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 28, 2022
Aamer Jamal on T20I debut – wet ball, dew around, Moeen Ali at the crease.
No problem, a fantastic last over from him which included several yorkers#PAKvENG #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) September 28, 2022
Just amazing #Aamerjamal 👏👏 🇵🇰🇵🇰#PakvsEngland
— Hassan Ali 🇵🇰 (@RealHa55an) September 28, 2022
The historic return of England to Pakistan; high scoring games, low scoring games, tight finishes; a clash of strategies – batting-heavy v bowling-heavy. This series is magic. #PAKvENG
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) September 28, 2022
Defended the total quite nicely. Good death over from the debutant. Good going Pakistan.
But the middle order needs to be looked into. Contant worry.— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) September 28, 2022
Aamer Jamal on debut,bowling that last over, never easy,kudos to him for keeping his nerves intact.
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) September 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/AvinashArya09/status/1575188025864167425
A fiery knock from skipper Moeen Ali, but Pakistan come out on top in a last-over thriller 👌🏻#PAKvENG | 📝 https://t.co/8jHsWRmnB2 pic.twitter.com/w6eJuG01vW
— ICC (@ICC) September 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/waqu_hassan15/status/1575187978317484035
Can you believe people thought a 7 match series between Pakistan and England would be too many? Frankly…it's not long enough. Another thriller. Another incredible ending. And a star is born. Take a bow Aamir Jamal. Nerves of steel on his debut 💪 #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/8LYEANvLdM
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) September 28, 2022