Jonny Bairstow flashed away Pakistan in the second T20

A thrilling knock of unbeaten 60 from Jonny Bairstow knocked out Pakistan in the second Twenty20 which England clinched by a big margin of 38 runs.

Jonny Bairstow's unbeaten 60 helped England to snatch away 2nd T20 match against Pakistan
Jonny Bairstow's unbeaten 60 helped England to snatch away 2nd T20 match against Pakistan

England thrashed 150 runs with three wickets in hand in the allocated 20 overs and Pakistan was bowled out for 112 runs in 18.2 overs.

Jonny Bairstow was declared ‘Player of the match’ for his scintillating innings which sealed the fate for Pakistan.

The match was played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (neutral venue) on February 25, 2012.

Earlier, England Captain, Stuart Broad, won the toss and opted to send his batsmen in to ensure defendable score. Kevin Pietersen opened in style while dispatching the first ball reeling out of the ropes, collected seven runs in the first over with Craig Kieswetter. The flow of runs was continued by them and the fourth over from Aizaz Cheema cost 16 runs which included three fours.

Pakistan secured the important wicket of Pietersen on the second ball of the fifth over bowled by Saeed Ajmal when he was caught at short fine leg by Umar Gul for 17. The first wicket contributed 35 and Ravi Bopara departed three runs later after he was declared leg before wicket off Umar Gul.

Eoin Morgan surrendered for nine runs when the promising youngster, Jonny Bairstow joined in with Kieswetter and shared 30 runs for the fourth wicket. The later was gone after scoring 31 off 24 balls with one six and two fours as Bairstow took over the charge. He kept the score board moving by accelerating the run rate as the wickets kept on sliding at the other end. He remained unbeaten for 60 off 46 balls with two sixes and 5 fours as England smashed 150 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.

Umar Gul was the highest wicket taker with two as Mohammad Hafeez, Aizaz Cheema, Saeed Aajmal and Shahid Afridi claimed one wicket each.

Pakistan had an awful start as they lost two quick wickets for mere two runs when Umar Akmal started his breezy innings. He was aggressive immediately he took guards and played few commendable shots but was unlucky when he was caught brilliantly by Morgan at point off Steven Finn for 19 runs scored on 12 balls with one six and two fours.

England held their nerves with calculated bowling and picked up the wickets of Shoaib Malik and Misbah-Ul-Haq in quick successions as Pakistan was in trouble at 74 for six wickets. The young gun, Hammad Azam joined together with Afridi and exhibited few magical moments with his sparkling bat. He banged quick fired 21 off just 15 balls with one huge six and three sweetly timed fours when Jos Buttler take his stunning catch at the bowling of Bopara.

Shahid Afridi hanged on until last as the wickets kept on tumbling at the other end and he became the last victim by scoring 25 off 23 with one six and two fours. The whole team was crumbled out for 112 runs with 10 balls to spare and could not tackle the devastating English bowling.

Finn was the supreme bowler with three wickets, Broad and Graeme Swann shared two each as Jade Dernbach and Ravi Bopara claimed one wicket each.

England won the match comprehensively by 38 runs and the three match series is levelled 1-1. The third and deciding T20 will be played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on February 27, 2012.


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