England versus Pakistan 1st T20I: First T20I abandoned due to rain
It was again a frustrating day as the first T20I between
England and Pakistan was washed out due to heavy rains and wet outfield played
at Old Trafford, Manchester on Friday.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to
field first. It was an ideal start for the visitors as Imad Wasim took a sharp
return catch to dismiss dangerous Jonny Bairstow in the first over. Things
could have been worst for England as Tom Banton was dropped by Iftikhar Ahmed
at lone slips from the bowling off Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Mohammad Aamir, Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled a good line and
lengths not allowing the England batsmen to score runs freely. At the end of
six overs, England scored just 34 for 1.
Haris Rauf was bought into the attack by Babar Azam and
bowled decently. Tom Banton put the pressure on Shahdab Khan right away with 2
back to back sixes making life for Pakistani bowlers. Soon after, a mix-up
resulted in David Malan’s run-out. Malan and Banton put on 71 runs for the 2nd
wicket.
England captain Eoin Morgan started the innings with a lovely
reverse sweep boundary. Banton impressed with his stroke play and reached his
maiden T20I half-century off 33 balls. After completing milestone, it was an
amazing display of batting by Banton who scooped Haris Rauf for a six. Morgan
looked in decent touch creating pressure on the Pakistani bowlers.
Tom Banton’s brilliant innings came to an end as he tried to
hit another big shot, but a top edge went into the hands of Imad Wasim with
Shahbad Khan as the bowler. Ifkthitar Ahmed created the magic by dismissing
England captain Eoin Morgan to lead Pakistan comeback.
Shahbad Khan struck again as Mohammad Rizwan took a rebound
catch to dismiss Moeen Ali. Lewis Gregory innings came to end as Rizwan
produced easy stumping. From 109 for 2, England lost 4 quick wickets before heavy
rains stopped play with the scoreboard reading 131 for 6.
Despite the rain stopped, there were heavy puddles and
umpires decided it was not fit to play, called off play.
England 131 for 6 in 16.1 overs ( Tom Banton 70, Malan 23,
Imad Wasim 2/31, Shahbad Khan 2/33) match abandoned
The second T20I match of the series would be played at the same ground on 30th August.
Tom Banton impresses with a 70 in the first T20I against Pakistan
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