Jason Roy, Adil Rashid tip scales for England in tense series decider
England secure victory in final over after wobbles against spin in their chase
England secure victory in final over after wobbles against spin in their chase
Scorer: @Thilak_Rama | Commentator: Andrew Miller
10.17pm Well, that's your lot. Another humdinging match in a thrilling series. Pakistan's entire visit has been a richly entertaining set of games, for various different reasons. England take the series and extend their home record in T20Is. From all of us at ESPNcricinfo, thanks and goodnight, and don't forget to tune in tomorrow, for the start of a brave new world at The Oval... it's the start of the Hundred!
Time for some presentations First up, the Player of the Match is Jason Roy for his bifftastic half-century in the chase.
"I just went out and had a bit of fun, against the new ball which was slightly easier, frustrating to get out when I did, lazy again on the dismissal, but you had to have a very specific gameplan so very rewarding on a pitch like that. We play incredible cricket on flat pitches, but have struggled in the past on slower pitches. This will give us a huge amount of confidence."
The Player of the Series is Liam Livingstone. "Very happy to win a series on my home ground, the way Rash and Mo bowled and Jason set it up. That six at Leeds, the lads take the mick out of me for swinging hard but I've worked on it hard. Nice to contribute to a series win. My spin, it feels at home as I bowl a lot for Lancashire here. The hairstyle, maybe me and Jase will have to keep it."
Babar Azam, speaking in Urdu, says he's very pleased with the efforts, and their fight, but perhaps 15 short, if Rizwan could have carried on. Shot selection against the spinners today was poor. He also thanks the crowd for their support, and confirms that Mohammad Hafeez is very much part of their World Cup plans.
Eoin Morgan: "It means a huge amount, this is the worst wicket for our gameplan so we've managed to win against a very good side, so we will learn a huge amount. I don't think the ball will spin like that in the UAE, it didn't spin like that in the IPL, but unnatural as it is to play like that for Jos Buttler, the partnership with Roy set up the chase. Guys have achieved when they came in and played, plenty of options when it comes to selection. We have 17 or 18 vying for 15 places."
9.55pm: A frantic end, the vuvuzelas screeching, and the home side scraping through by the skin of their teeth! It went deep, but Eoin Morgan found the boundary at crucial times, then Liam Livingstone had his moment of swag, smoking his first ball for six to bring the requirement down from 12 off 8 to 6 off 7. Morgan also fell right at the death, but Pakistan's gamble with Hasan for the 18th may have cost them in the end. All about spin at Old Trafford tonight, and England rode the roulette wheel to victory to take the series 2-1 and a further boost of confidence ahead of a UAE-based T20 World Cup.
Surely not? Surely?
EJG Morgan c Shadab Khan b Hasan Ali 21 (25m 12b 1x4 2x6) SR: 175.00
Alan Hardy: "That six should be as good as any indication for livingstone to have a permanent spot" Fair
Six to win, five for ... you know... A ring of fielders saving one, but leg side is open
LS Livingstone c Sohaib Maqsood b Mohammad Hafeez 6 (3m 2b 0x4 1x6) SR: 300.00
Spin might not play as a big a role in the UAE in October-November as anticipated, says England captain
But, after contrasting innings, Dawid Malan seems to be dancing to a different tune
England secure victory in final over after wobbles against spin in their chase
No holds likely to be barred once again as unfettered teams seek the series at Old Trafford