Pakistan 149 for 6 (Razzaq 46*, Swann 3-14) beat England 148 for 6 (Pietersen 62) v Pakistan
What a difference 24 hours can make! After an ultimately one-sided affair in the first match Abdul Razzaq rolled back the years to produce a devastating cameo of six-hitting to square the series.
Pakistan again won the toss and put England in to bat. Paul Collingwood announced one change, the impressive Ryan Sidebottom forced to sit out due to a thigh strain, making way for Yorkshire paceman Ajmal Shahzad, whilst the big news for Pakistan was the return of 'Boom Boom' Afridi, who still proves to be a menace both with bat, ball, and mouth of late.
There may have been a fresh look to both teams as the England openers strode out in Dubai, but young Joe Denly's career as a limited overs opening batsman seemed to continue in rather woeful fashion. Arafat getting one to nip back between bat and pad and clattering the stumps to give Pakistan a much deserved breakthrough. Jonathan Trott seemed equally hesitant at the crease managing only 3 fours in his 51-ball 39, fortunately Kevin Pietersen picked up where heleft off the day before, taking Saeed Ajmal to the sword with a particularly brilliant straight drive down the wicket for six big ones.
Pietersen continued to look impervious, guiding two fours off Afridi, only to go bigger in his following over, ensuring that those in the high-rise hospitality suite were aware of his intentions. The tragedy of the innings ultimately came in his inability to really kick-on. And when attempting a sweep he was struck plumb on the back leg by Ajmal England really struggled to maintain the momentum KP had injected.
Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright and Collingwood amassed a six each but failed to make a sizable contribution, and crucially to form any sort of partnership. Tim Bresnan was even sent in for some last over pinch hitting, but when he hauled out to Imran Nazir at long off first ball, you couldn't help but think that England had missed a chance to post something really challenging. Instead they stuttered to 148 for 6 when 160 plus looked attainable with five overs remaining.
Pakistan's victory in the second match meant the series was drawn 1-1 and the trophy shared
Image courtesy of cricinfo.com
Invigorated from their fightback with the ball, Pakistan returned to the field confident of knocking off the runs required, early signs however looked quite to the contrary as debutante Shahzad struck twice in his first over. First back in the changing room was Nazir, charging Shahzad third ball only to top edge to a grateful Bresnan at third man. Two balls later Imran Farhat had a rush of blood to the head attempting a pull off Shazhad only for the ball to be gobbled up by Stuart Broad at mid on.
At 4 for 2 Pakistan may have felt that they had missed a trick, unable to capitalise on their fine finish to England's innings. Luckily Umar Akmal showed maturity beyond his years playing a sensible innings manoeuvring the ball around and feeding off anything too short or wide. Shoaib Malik gave Akmal worthy assistance until he was undone by some sharp work from Matt Prior off the bowling of Graeme Swann, Malik's foot appearing to be marginally lifted as the bails were removed. Although if this was an indication to an improvement in Prior's glove-work he did his cause no good in Swann's next over seemingly dropping Akmal attempting a cut off a quicker ball.
Swann was not perturbed, and in his two final overs picked up the vital scalps of Afridi and the well set Akmal, finishing with stunning figures of 4 overs, 1 maiden, 3 for 14, truly a class act!
Swann's heroics were unfortunately a rare gem in some lacklustre performances from England's attack. Collingwood and Luke Wright the two part timers have a particularly hard time conceding 41 runs between them, failing to effectively stem the flow of runs. Such waywardness could almost be forgiven however, when considering that which stood imperiously at the other end.
With the hype around Afridi's return many had forgotten the cruel lessons Abdul Razzaq has taught bowlers over the years about bowling at the tail end an innings. After taking a viscous swipe at his first ball the 30 year old man from Lahore hit consecutive sixes off the England captain to set up a tight finish. Razzaq though was in no mood to hang around, and it was not long before Luke Wright saw the ball fly straight back over his head for Razzaq's third six of the innings.
Shahzad who had started so brightly was left with bitter memories of his first Twenty20 international, as Razzaq capped his magisterial innings with two thumping sixes to seal a 4 wicket win with an over to spare.
And with that final flail of the willow the series was over. All credit must go to Pakistan after they battled back admirably after a distinctly average first match. Razzaq was the star but Akmal played his part, and following the departure of Pietersen the Pakistani bowlers did well to keep the target within reach. Only time will tell how this brief contest will effect the progression of both these teams. For England, a resounding victory in the first match will give them great confidence in a form of the game they have yet to excel in. Equally Pakistan, although current holders of the Twenty20 World Cup, will be buoyed by their gutsy comeback in this match after looking dead and buried only a day ago.
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