T20 World Cup 2022 Final, ENG vs PAK: Ben Stokes masterclass helps England clinch the title

England players celebrating a dismissal [Source: AP]

The mercurial T20 World Cup trophy has finally found its new home in England, as the Three Lions edged past Pakistan by five wickets in the tournament final to lift the trophy in Melbourne. In this process, England became only the second team after West Indies to clinch the title twice in the tournament's history. 

Pakistan crumble as Sam Curran runs riot

After being put into bat, Pakistan suffered an early setback, as Sam Curran castled Mohammad Rizwan for 15. Promising batter Mohammad Haris struggled to get going, eventually falling prey to Adil Rashid for eight in the eighth over. However, skipper Babar Azam and Shan Masood steadied the ship, adding crucial 39 runs for the third wicket. 

Sam Curran claimed three wickets [Source: AP]

After Rashid got rid of Babar, Ben Stokes came back to remove Iftikhar Ahmed for a six-ball duck in the 13th over. Although Masood and Shadab stitched a 36-run stand for the fifth wicket, a collapse was triggered with the former getting out to Curran for a 28-ball 38 in the 17th over. 

Soon, Shadab, Nawaz and Mohammad Wasim bit the dust, as Curran and Chris Jordan exhibited incredible control in the death overs. Thus, the English duo derailed Pakistan's innings, restricting them to a sub-par 137 at the end of 20 overs. 

Curran recorded surreal bowling figures of three for 12, while Jordan and Rashid scalped two wickets each. 

Ben Stokes stands tall as England ace the chase

In reply, England got off to a disastrous start, losing Alex Hales to an amazing inswinger from Shaheen Afridi in the first over. Philip Salt, batting for the first time in the tournament, managed only ten runs before being dismissed by Haris Rauf. Jos Buttler, who looked sublime for his 17-ball 26, became Rauf's second victim, edging one straight to Mohammad Rizwan. 

Ben Stokes in action [Source: AP]

However, Ben Stokes and Harry Brook executed a commendable resurrection, forming a crucial 39-run stand for the fourth wicket. After Shadab dismissed Brook for 20, Stokes and Moeen held their nerves to stitch a match-winning stand of 48 runs, helping England get over the line with six balls to spare. 

While Stokes played a memorable knock of 52 runs under immense pressure, Moeen contributed handy 19 runs with the help of three fours. 

Brief Scores

Pakistan: 137/8 (20)
Shan Masood 38 (28), Babar Azam 32 (28);
Sam Curran 3/12 (4), Adil Rashid 2/22 (4)

England: 138/5 (19)
Ben Stokes 52* (49), Jos Buttler 26 (17);
Haris Rauf 2/23 (4), Shaheen Afridi 1/13 (2.1)

England won by five wickets. 

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