England landed all the telling blows in another pulsating contest in Karachi, riding on the back of a century stand between Harry Brook and Ben Duckett before a searing return to national colours from Mark Wood helped torpedo the Pakistan reply. A total of 221 for 3 was the highest conceded by Pakistan in T20Is, the 63-run margin of defeat their heaviest against England.
Brook and Duckett both notched maiden T20I fifties during a record fourth-wicket stand for England in the format, the pair belying their relative inexperience at this level to add 139 from just 69 deliveries. Brook's form was particularly scintillating, as he carved eight fours and five sixes to finish not out on 81 from just 35 deliveries - a strike rate of 231.42. Duckett produced his best innings in an England shirt with an unbeaten 70 from 42.
Having reeled in 200 while barely breaking sweat the night before, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were the key men for Pakistan as they attempted what would have been a record chase. But Wood and Reece Topley, two of England's three changes to the XI, removed both openers for single-figure scores and Pakistan quickly careened out of contention at 28 for 4 in the final over of the powerplay.
Shan Masood and Khushdil Shah put on 62 for the fifth wicket to prevent the scoreline becoming a rout, Masood going on to record a maiden T20I half-century of his own, but Adil Rashid struck twice and Wood finished with 3 for 24 as England regained the series lead with a thumping win.
Wood fires the defence
Although England piled up the runs after being inserted, another raucous crowd watched on expectantly as Babar and Rizwan walked out together, barely 24 hours on from the record, unbroken 203-run opening stand that had levelled the series. But hopes of an encore were quickly scotched, as England's reshaped attack ripped out the cream of Pakistan's batting.
Although England piled up the runs after being inserted, another raucous crowd watched on expectantly as Babar and Rizwan walked out together, barely 24 hours on from the record, unbroken 203-run opening stand that had levelled the series. But hopes of an encore were quickly scotched, as England's reshaped attack ripped out the cream of Pakistan's batting.
The first cut was the deepest, as Wood immediately set about cranking up the pace to levels none of his compatriots can match. His fourth delivery was back of a length in the channel outside off, encouraging Babar to open up the shoulders - but with 147kph/91mph of heat on the ball, Pakistan's batting bellwether could only manage a thick edge that soared down to deep third, where Topley calmly held a head-high catch. Silence descended on the National Stadium as Babar trudged off.