England take 2-1 series lead after Harry Brook and Ben Duckett go 139-run unbeaten to help Tourists post 221-3; Pakistan falls to 158-8 as Mark Wood impresses on return; Watch the T20I quarter between Pakistan and England live on Sky Sports Cricket at 3pm on Sunday
England retook the lead in their T20I series with Pakistan after a brilliant unbeaten century run between Harry Brook and Ben Duckett led to a commanding 63-run victory in Karachi.
Brook scored 81 from just 35 delivery, while Duckett added 70 from 42 balls as England went 221-3 after being put up to bat, and newcomer Will Jacks got the Tourists off to a flying start with 40 for 22.
Pakistan, who had chased 200 without dropping a wicket to level the series on Thursday, were unable to repeat their batting exploits as Mark Wood (3-24) returned and grabbed two early wickets to give England a stranglehold on the game that Moeen Ali’s side never gave up.
The win gives England a 2-1 lead in the seven-game series, which resumes in Karachi on Sunday before moving to Lahore for the final three games.
A half-century of maiden T20Is for the 23-year-old Brook, in addition to his strong performances in the first two games, are quickly establishing him as a key member of England’s short-form squad ahead of next month’s World Cup in Australia.
Unlike Duckett, who also reached his first half-century of T20I, Brook is part of the squad for the tournament and becoming almost unbeatable, despite the impending returns of Liam Livingstone and captain Jos Buttler from injury, and the England test captain Ben Stokes from a rest period.
More to follow…
