Twitter Reactions: Moeen Ali’s all-round show gives England series equaliser in Pakistan T20Is

Despite scoring in excess of 200, England failed to win the opening T20I against Pakistan in Nottingham. However, the Brits made a comeback and won the second game of the three-match series by 45 runs at the Headingley in Leeds. They also managed to level the series with a solitary match remaining.

Jos Buttler top-scores for the Brits

After being out in to bat first, the Brits stuttered as Imad Wasim accounted for the wickets of Jason Roy and Dawid Malan. However, Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler’s 67-run stand for the third wicket brought the hosts back into the game. Moeen perished after a sparkling 16-ball 36 with six fours and a six.

Buttler carried on and scored a 39-ball 59 with seven fours and two sixes. Both Moeen and Buttler perished to Mohammad Hasnain. Liam Livingstone carried on from where he left at Nottingham as he churned out a 23-ball 38 and guided the home team to a mammoth score of 200 in 20 overs.

Pakistan capitulate

In the run-chase, Pakistan got off to a flying start courtesy of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam’s 50-run stand off 34 balls. But once Saqib Mahmood got rid of Babar, the visitors’ innings fell apart. Sohaib Maqsood and Mohammad Hafeez got into double digits, but both failed to convert the starts.

Fakhar Zaman and Azam Khan flattered to deceive, getting out to the spinners. Imad Wasim hit a couple of lusty blows, and he became Tom Curran’s victim. Shadab Khan stayed unbeaten on 36, but his knock went in vain. For the hosts, Saqib picked three wickets even as Moeen and Adil Rashid got two each.

After the victory, Buttler, the England skipper, lauded the players for the team effort. Pakistan captain Babar, on the other hand, was a tad disappointed with his bowlers. However, he appreciated Imad and Shadab for their spells of bowling.

We gave away 30 extra runs: Babar Azam

“We put together a great score after losing the toss. Adil has been fantastic for a very long time, and Parky bowled well in tandem with him. It’s great to be back in the team and nice to contribute today. We got a very good performance today. We had two good games, and I’m sure the decider will be brilliant as well,” Buttler was quoted as saying.

“We gave away 30 extra runs and we weren’t able to maintain the momentum that we got with the opening partnership. We had confidence in chasing, and my wicket was crucial because we lost momentum with that wicket.

“Shadab and Imad bowled well, but it didn’t spin as much in the first innings as it did in the second innings. We’ll try not to repeat the mistakes in the next game and win,” Babar stated.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to England’s win

Great to see the Pakistani fans giving Saqib Mahmood, Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid fantastic support throughout. Exactly how it should be #ENGvsPAK #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 18, 2021

I’ve never felt the nerves when playing in front of a 50k + crowd – but working in front of a camera can be challenging – hats off to these guys ! They Make it look so easy ! @isaguha @jimmy9 @bbctms pic.twitter.com/TgSzwtFmpA

— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) July 18, 2021

In the last game we got 200 + runs and we decide to bowl first here? I would have gone with batting first – Esp with England playing 2 spinners. We were coming in from a win full of confidence & should have played on that Strength. #PAKvENG #Headingly

— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) July 18, 2021

Lovely afternoon at Headingley .. England too strong but no idea why Pakistan bowled first .. Anyway it sets up the last game .. @bbctms !! #ENGvPAK

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 18, 2021

Two leg spinners are bowling left handed batsman would have been ideal instead of Hafiz. What do you guys think ?

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) July 18, 2021

Such a poor decision by captain & the management by bowling 1st on a great batting pitch it’s beyond me just speechless 🤬🤬🤬 pic.twitter.com/Iiv3xEBkTr

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) July 18, 2021

Come on boys . Keep it tight ! 2 more wickets here n we will get through. We can do it #PakvsEng

— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) July 18, 2021

Great bowling and execution from Hasnain keeping mid off up with a slower ball with the dismissal of Ali. #PAKvENG

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) July 18, 2021