ENG VS PAK ODI

Right then! Ben Stokes lifts the trophy along with his teammates and they go into the T20I series with a lot of confidence. There is a possibility that none of these players will be involved and they will be playing a full-strength squad, pending a negative Covid-test. Pakistan, on the other hand, have a lot of thinking to do before the T20Is. The T20I series will begin on 16th July at 1830 local (1730 GMT). Do join just then. Cheers and take care.

Ben Stokes, the England skipper, comes up for a chat. He says that he thinks that they have been brilliant throughout the series and the guys have been fantastic. Adds that he is thankful to all involved for pulling this series off despite the difficulties. Goes onto say that credit has to go to Eoin Morgan, Chris Silverwood and Trevor Bayliss for making the team that it is. Says that this is the culture that they have created which is to allow the players to play freely, enjoy themselves and it was fun to play in front of the crowd of Edgbaston. Goes onto say that they have some good players coming through and he is impressed with everyone. Tells that Bob Willis was one of the greats of the game and they are doing a good thing with Bob Willis foundation.

Babar Azam, the Pakistan skipper, is up for a chat. He says that they had a good time with the bat but they did not bowl well and their fielding was poor. Adds that Vince played brilliantly and credits England for chasing down this total. States that they did not bowl in the right channels and they dropped too many catches and that is where they lost the game. Adds that they will try to rectify the mistakes in the T20Is.

Saqib Mahmood, the PLAYER OF THE SERIES, says they had a pretty special week and he is very happy to have repaid the faith. Goes onto say that he tried to out the ball in the right areas and it worked. Goes onto say that Stokes has carried on from Morgan. Tells that he will take each day as it comes.

James Vince, the PLAYER OF THE MATCH, says that they got off to a quick start and the run rate never went out of control. Adds that Lewis Gregory came out and released the pressure. States that they managed to pick up boundaries regularly and were also able to knock the ball around. Is pleased to make a contribution and he enjoyed himself out there.

Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony!!!

Where did Pakistan lose this game? All I can say is their fielding. They had many chances to send Stokes out but did not make use of the opportunities but their ground fielding was poor as they misfielded a lot and gave away too many extra runs in the field. Now with the ball in hand, Shaheen Afridi had a tough day while, Hasan Ali started well but could not keep up the pressure. Shadab Khan had a good game while Haris Rauf took his career-best figures. One might feel, that if Pakistan held onto their catches and their ground fielding was better, things might have been different.

England were off to a terrific start as Philip Salt gave them a blistering start but Malan fell for a duck and then Salt, after hitting a few more lusty blows, departed. Zak Crawley looked good before he was dismissed while Ben Stokes did not make use of the opportunities he got. They were half down for 165 and it looked like Pakistan will get their first win but James Vince and Lewis Gregory had other plans. They stitched a magnificent partnership with Vince scoring his maiden ODI century and Gregory playing a fine knock. But when they departed in quick succession, England went on the back foot. Craig Overton and Brydon Carse held their nerves and took England home.

End of an excellent match for England! James Vince, Lewis Gregory and Craig Overton, take a bow! You have completed a heist and have helped England chase down 332 and whitewash Pakistan. Brydon Carse was good too with the bat. Pakistan would be really disappointed with the effort as they had a good chance of winning their first game but it was not to be.

FOUR! Brydon Carse finishes things for England in style. A full length ball, on off. Carse drives it through extra cover for a boundary. ENGLAND WINS BY 3 WICKETS.

A full length ball, on off. Carse pushes it to cover.

A full length ball, on the pads. Carse flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Play and a miss! A full length ball, outside off. Just a hint of swing away. Carse look to whack it away but misses.

A length ball, on off, Overton looks to defend. The ball takes the outside edge and goes towards third man. The batters cross.

A full toss on off, Overton pulls it to the right of mid on. The batters take a single. A misfield give the batsman an extra run.

A length ball, on the pads. Overton flicks it to square leg for a single. 9 needed in 18 deliveries.

A yorker length delivery on middle, Overton digs it out to the leg side. The batters take two. This has been some running by the batters.