THE fairytale of Pakistan winning a second world title in Australia evaporated into the drizzle of a Melbourne night. Instead, England are now double world champions, holding both 50-over and 20-over titles, and Ben Stokes again delivered when it mattered. Pakistan were never ahead in the game, and struggled to a sub-par total of 137, with Shan Masood the only batsman to score enough runs at a reasonable rate. But just as the bowlers had brilliantly got Pakistan back into the game, a recurrence of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s knee injury settled a contest of small margins.
Ironically, England’s players of Pakistani origin, Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali, made decisive contributions in support of Stokes and Sam Curran, who surprisingly won player of the match and player of the tournament. But perhaps it was Jos Buttler who made the biggest difference. England’s captain won an important toss, masterminded an exceptional bowling and fielding effort, and forced early momentum that was hard for Pakistan to stop. The wicket demanded a traditional line and length, and Pakistan were too full early on, feeding Buttler’s drives. But it was the injury to Shaheen that proved decisive. With five overs to go, and Shaheen and Haris Rauf to come, the match was in the balance. Afridi had injured his knee in taking a hard outfield catch to dismiss Harry Brook, and then left the field for treatment.
Pakistan had little luck, and even then might have pulled off a victory, but they didn’t score enough runs.
Source: Dawn.com
