England’s spinners took centre stage during a 45-run win over Pakistan in the second Twenty20 international at Headingley on Sunday. Victo...
England’s spinners took centre stage during a 45-run win over Pakistan in the second Twenty20 international at Headingley on Sunday.
Victory saw England level the three-match series at 1-1 ahead of Tuesday’s finale at Old Trafford.
England broke with convention by fielding two leg-spinners in Adil Rashid and Matt Parkinson, with off-spinner Moeen Ali also included.
The hosts’ decision was vindicated by the leg-break duo taking a combined 3/55 from eight overs, with player of the match Moeen adding 2/32 to his useful 36 in England’s total of 200.
That proved more than enough for England to defend, with Pakistan finishing on 155/9.
Jos Buttler, captaining England in place of the rested Eoin Morgan, marked his return to international duty by top-scoring with 59.
Moeen praised Buttler’s faith in spin bowling by saying: “I don’t think it was a game plan, it was just Jos playing the conditions.
“I don’t think it was risky at all. Today it was great conditions to be a spinner.”
He added: “I thought our leg-spinners bowled fantastically well, Parky and Rash complemented each other brilliantly. They’re both very different but both very skillful.”
Earlier, Liam Livingstone – fresh from scoring England’s fastest T20 hundred on Friday – launched Pakistan quick Haris Rauf for a colossal six that soared straight over the...
