T20 World Cup final: England defeats Pakistan to confirm status as cricket’s white-ball kings
Pakistan had lifted itself off the canvas when one of its biggest stars suffered a brutal injury. Was it the moment that decided the T20 World Cup?
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Call it revenge, 30 years on.
Or more accurately call it confirmation of England’s status as cricket’s white-ball powerhouse after Jos Buttler’s men strangled Pakistan with the ball before digging deep in to its own reserves of grit and determination to defy an outstanding, all-or-nothing bowling effort to become T20 World Cup winners in an unforgettable, pressure-packed battle at the MCG.
Few cricketers can handle pressure like English star Ben Stokes and three years after guiding his country to its first ever 50-over World Cup win the marvel that he is again drove his team to glory with an innings for the ages.
“I think in finals, especially chasing, you forget all the hard work before that,” Stokes said post-match.
“I thought that we bowled...that’s what won us the game. That was a tricky wicket, it was never one that you felt like you were truly in on.
“To resrict them to 130-whatever we did, the bowlers have got to take a lot of the credit for it.”
Stokes steeled himself and steered his side to victory with the first half-century of his T20 career and cemented himself as the one of the best big game players of all time as England became the first team to hold the T20 and 50-over World Cup titles at the same with a five-wicket win, and an over to spare.
READ OUR FULL COVERAGE OF THE FINAL BELOW
More than 80,000 people rode every single ball of a gripping final hour which had pulses around the world racing as Pakistan‘s arsenal of fast bowlers tried to defend a below-par total against an outfit which knows nothing but attack with the bat.
Needing just a run-a-ball in the final 10 overs to chase down Pakistan’s laboured 8-137, and with one-day World Cup hero Stokes at the crease, England started to stagger.
Just 20 runs came in the five overs after the match was declared on, with the 10-over mark passed and the predicted rain failing to materialise.
With swashbuckling England openers Jos Buttler and Alex Hales in the sheds, Stokes was playing and missing, his young partner Harry Brook batting like the inexperienced international he was.
The Pakistan fast bowlers were going at a rapid pace, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf ripping balls past outside edges relentlessly. The crowd was in a fervour.
But then the match turned in two balls.
Pakistan quick Shaheen Afridi, who tried to bowl hurt, couldn’t finish the 16th over.
It was finished by part-timer Iftikhar Ahmed, which was the invitation Stokes needed to finish the match.
“The way the team has fought has been unbelievable,” Pakistan captain Babar Azam said.
“I think we were 20 runs short, but the way we fought until the last over was unbelievable, all credit to the boys.
“Our bowling is one of the best attacks in the world...but unfortunately Shaheen injured which maybe cost us, but it is part of the game.”
The now two-time World Cup hero whacked a four and a six, the pressure valve which seemed to be choking England was released, and when Mooen Ali, batting for just the fifth time this tournament, whacked the first two balls of the next over for four, England’s quest to be dual title holders was close enough to complete.
Having spent dreamy days in his youth “pretending to lift a trophy” England captain Buttler was able to do the real thing after Stokes played the big-game innings his country needed, again, to ensure a sober Sunday morning in the UK could turn into a long-lunch to remember.
After taking five balls to get off the mark, stepped up as he did at Lord’s in 2019, his 52 off 49 balls the standout in a match worthy of a final.
“Cool, calm from start to finish in big moments,” said Eoin Morgan, who was Stokes’ captain that day, said in commentary.
The reigning 50-over world champions reversed the result of the 1992 one-day World Cup clash after Pakistan’s explosive batting failed to ignite under the pressure of a “perfect” bowling effort from the victors.
“Planning has been meticulous … today it has been perfect,” former England captain Nasser Hussain espoused buoyantly after a stunning turn from Sam Curran and teammate Adil Rashid limited Pakistan to just 8-137.
Curran was outstanding, England’s leading wicket taker snaring three scalps but more than that stymieing the Pakistan batters with other-worldly effect in a man-of-the match effort.
A team which bashed 15 boundaries last Wednesday managed just nine when it mattered most and Curran was key to that.
Of the 24 balls he bowled, an incredible 15 were dots, including his three wickets. That’s big-time bowling from Curran who finished the tournament with 13 wickets and a hero’s place in England’s storeyed cricket history.
“To be able to win the T20 World Cup now as well, just immensely proud of everyone here,” English skipper Jos Buttler said.
“It’s been a long journey and a few changes over how we have played over the last few years and we’re reaping the rewards of that.”
Buttler said leading his country to a World Cup triumph was an honour and praised his side’s character to respond from a shock loss to Ireland so positively.
COME IN SPINNER
Adil Rashid had figures of 2/125 for the World Cup going in to the final, but quickly had 1-0 in the biggest game as he ended an n 11-ball struggle from Pakistan livewire Mohammad Haris with his first ball of the biggest game.
Pakistan batting coach Matthew Hayden said pre-game that India’s weakness in the semi-final was their lack of a leg-spinner.
His words proved prophetic as Rashid then doubled his wicket output for the entire tournament when he also removed Azam first ball of this third over as the Pakistan skipper batted a bamboozling googly straight back to the bowler.
That over became a wicket maiden, and a match-turner as Rashid showed just how badly India missed a trick in the penultimate game, finishing with outstanding figures of 2-22 off four overs.
UN-MAGIC SPRAY
Treatment from the team medical staff can often brig with it a message from the coaching staff about what to do next.
It’s rare that message is to get out, but that’s exactly what happened to Pakistan.
Both star opener Mohammad Rizwan and then Iftikhar Ahmed were out the first ball after play was stopped for medical assistance.
Rizwan had a sore cheek after a dive to make his ground, but Iftikhar was only stopping so his batting partner could get treatment, before nicking the very first ball back to Jos Buttler off Ben Stokes.
They were wickets emblematic of the Pakistan struggle to get any momentum with an innings which failed to reach the heights of their semi-final romp.
Well played boys ! Amazing campaign , congrats to all involved ! Well played Pakistan
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) November 13, 2022
MAN OF THE MATCH: Sam Curran
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT: Sam Curran
ENGLAND INNINGS
OVER 19: MOHAMMAD WASIM, ENGLAND WINS 5-138
Ben Stokes has done it! England are the T20 World Cup champions and the first men’s team to hold the T20 and ODI trophies at the same time.
WICKET! Ali gone off the yorker
Surely not another twist in this crazy game? Wasim goes full, Moeen Ali drags on and it will be left to Liam Livingstone and Ben Stokes to try and see England home.
OVER 18: HARIS RAUF, 4-134 — 7 OFF 12 NEEDED
It’s into single digits for England now.
OVER 17: MOHAMMAD WASIM, 4-126 — 12 OFF 18 NEEDED
Moeen Ali clubs the first ball of the over for four and the target is back to 24 from 23 balls. The next ball goes for four as well. “The tide has turned England’s way,” says Nasser Hussain in commentary as the last ball is a four over the keeper. Almost game over now.
OVER 16: SHAHEEN SHAH AFRIDI/ IFTIKHAR AHMED, 4-110 — 28 OFF 24 BALLS
This will be heroic if Afridi can get Pakistan over the line. He can’t be 100 per cent but is going to give it his all. He’s coming off a shorter run up and labouring in.
And his comeback only lasts one ball. Afridi has headed from the field and sat down. Pakistan will have to try and win this without him.
Iftikhar Ahmed takes over with his part-time spin and almost picks up the wicket of Ben Stokes. Babar Azam hustled in but was a metre or so short. And, Stokes nails his next balls for four and six. The six just eluded Babar on the fence.
5 overs to go...
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 13, 2022
41 to win...
How we feeling?#T20WorldCup
OVER 15: HARIS RAUF, 4-97 — 41 FROM 30 NEEDED
Shaheen Shah Afridi returns to the field to massive cheers, although he isn’t moving freely. His two overs will be vital. The physio is around having another chat to him and he doesn’t look very comfortable.
Pakistan had England on the ropes before Rauf gives up a boundary on the last ball.
OVER 14: NASEEM SHAH, 4-89 — 49 OFF 36 NEEDED
Ben Stokes slips over and would have been run out with a direct hit on the first ball. The tension at the MCG is rising with every ball! From 3-77 after 10 overs, England has gone 1-12 in the last 24 balls. From a run a ball at the midway point England now needs over eight an over.
OVER 13: SHADAB KHAN, 4-87 — 51 off 42 NEEDED
WICKET! Afridi holds on in the deep
Harry Brook felt the pressure rising and despite falling to his knees, Shaheen Shah Afridi takes a catch at wide long on. Brook goes for 20 off 23 and the last few overs have been all Pakistan.
Afridi has hurt himself in the catch and has limped from the field. The big quick still has two overs to bowl and Pakistan can ill afford to be without him at the end.
OVER 12: NASEEM SHAH, 3-82 — 56 FROM 48 NEEDED
Ben Stokes can only laugh after twice being beaten by incredible pace and swing in the over. Pakistan is hitting back hard and a wicket in the next over or two would be huge.
He wasn’t laughing after the final ball of the over though, which was referred to DRS for caught behind. It caused some nervous minutes for the England crowd, but was eventually found to be not out.
OVER 11: SHADAB KHAN, 3-79 — 59 FROM 54 NEEDED
Brilliant over by the Pakistan leg-spinner, who somehow only costs $125k in KFC SuperCoach BBL. Which for those who don't know, you can sign up at supercoach.com.au. After four dot balls, Shadab only conceded two singles.
OVER 10: MOHAMMAD WASIM, 3-77
England has got the required rate down to almost a run a ball with 10 overs left in the T20 World Cup final. Matthew Mott’s side needs 61 runs from 60 balls to be the first men’s team to hold the one-day and T20 World Cups at the same time.
OVER 9: SHADAB KHAN, 3-69
OVER 8: MOHAMMAD WASIM, 3-61
A wayward first over from Wasim who dished up two wides. Pakistan has already given England an extra four balls through wides, which it can ill afford to do.
Wasim’s last delivery thundered into Harry Brook’s elbow, leaving the England No. 5 in considerable pain.
OVER 7: SHADAB KHAN, 3-54
OVER 6: HARIS RAUF, 3-49
The power play is done and England is 10 runs ahead of where Pakistan was but has lost two more wickets than Pakistan did during the power play overs.
WICKET! Buttler edges behind
And it’s officially game on. Jos Buttler hangs the bat outside off stump, Rauf moves the ball away and Rizwan does the rest. “What a big moment in the game,” former England captain Eoin Morgan says in commentary. England is 3-45 as Harry Brook joins Ben Stokes.
OVER 5: NASEEM SHAH, 2-43
Naseem Shah has it swinging a mile but Jos Buttler answers with an incredible lap sweep off middle stump for six. Seriously, what a shot! I lost count but I think Naseem beat the bat four times that over. Incredible batting between those two.
OVER 4: HARIS RAUF, 2-32
WICKET! Salt hits it straight to mid-wicket
A tame dismissal from England’s new No. 3 as a rising Rauf delivery is badly timed and goes straight to Iftikhar Ahmed. Pakistan likely needs to bowl England out and two wickets in the first 21 balls certainly helps its cause. Ben Stokes the next man in.
OVER 3: SHAHEEN SHAH AFRIDI, 1-28
Huge drama as Pakistan reviews an lbw decision against Phil Salt which hit him on the full. It’s smashing into the stumps and the only thing that saves te England batter is that the contact was umpire’s call.
â˜ðŸ¼ #T20WorldCupFinalpic.twitter.com/0e6FYaIN1V
— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) November 13, 2022
OVER 2: NASEEM SHAH, 1-21
Two brilliant drives from Jos Buttler help turn the momentum back in England’s favour.
OVER 1: SHAHEEN SHAH AFRIDI, 1-7
WICKET! Hales clean bowled
Pakistan gets the early wicket it needed as Afridi crashes into Alex Hales’ stumps with a brutal in-swinger. Game on!
Alex Hales cleaned up for just 1. What a ball by Shaheen Afridi!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 13, 2022
PAKISTAN INNINGS TOTAL 8-137
OVER 20: CHRIS JORDAN, 8-137
Pakistan could only manage 18 runs and lost four wickets in the last four overs — and four of those runs were an edge over Jos Buttler’s head. Meanwhile, former England skipper Nasser Hussain reports some rain has fallen at the ground.
WICKET!
And it’s Livingstone again. Despite some confusion over whether it carried, Pakistan has lost another wicket caught at deep mid-wicket.
OVER 19: SAM CURRAN, 7-131
Pakistan has lost 3-12 in the last three overs and looks likely to need a mammoth effort from its bowlers to stand any chance in this game.
WICKET! Nawaz repeats Masood dismissal
Mohammad Nawaz is out in the same way as Shan Masood and Pakistan fans look shattered. He clips a ball off his pads straight to Livingstone in the deep and Pakistan is 7-129 with nine balls remaining.
OVER 18: CHRIS JORDAN, 6-127
Absolute chaos at the MCG. Harry Brook drops a catch he should have taken at backward point, Chris Jordan misses a run out and then at the end of it all Pakistan somehow run three.
WICKET! Shadab misses out going big
Pakistan fans have their heads in their hands at the MCG after Shadab Khan fails to get hold of a delivery from Chris Jordan which got big on him. It’s a simple catch for Chris Woakes and Pakitsna is 6-123 with 16 balls left.
OVER 17: SAM CURRAN, PAKISTAN 5-122
WICKET! Masood holes out
Sam Curran strikes again and it’s a big breakthrough for England. Masood is caught at deep mid-wicket by Liam Livingstone and Pakistan is 5-121 with 21 balls left in the innings.
OVER 16: BEN STOKES, 4-119
Pakistan has upped the ante, with commentator Ravi Shastri declaring 160 would be a very competitive total on a tricky batting pitch. Can Pakistan get there?
OVER 15: CHRIS JORDAN, 4-106
Shan Masood is the key man here. Just as England and Jordan were putting the clamps on again, he punches a backfoot drive through the covers for four. Glorious shot. Pakistan need more of them though.
OVER 14: ADIL RASHID, 4-98
Brilliant spell by the England spinner comes to an end. He finishes with 2-22. Can Pakistan manage 160 from here? They’ll need more than 10 an over from the last six.
OVER 13: BEN STOKES 4-90
WICKET! Iftikhar edged behind
“Really strong period for England right now,” says former skipper Eoin Morgan in commentary after Ben Stokes draws an edge from Ifthikar Ahmed. He falls without scoring as Jos Buttler accepts the catch. Pakistan 4-85 after 12.2 overs.
OVER 12: ADIL RASHID, PAKISTAN 3-84
WICKET! Babar chips back to bowler
Rashid has done it again! He deceives the Pakistan captain with a googly and it ballooned back to Rashid for a caught and bowled. “Big moment,” says commentator Ian Smith. Felllow commentator Ian Bishop makes the point every Pakistan fan will be clinging to, that Shadab Khan will love bowling on this pitch. Bishop says it will be “fascinating” to see how Pakistan’s fearsome pace battery and their star spinner get the most from the wicket.
OVER 11: LIAM LIVINGSTONE, PAKISTAN 2-84
It’s clear Pakistan has targeted Liam Livingstone. Shan Masood went after England’s second spinner in a big way, launching him for a straight six.
OVER 10: ADIL RASHID, PAKISTAN 2-68
Pakistan’s best work in the last 2-3 overs has been between the wickets. Shan Masood and Babar Azam are frustrating England as they work the ball into big gaps on the MCG to run twos. England will be happy with the first 10 overs though with Pakistan’s run rate steady but not out of hand.
OVER 9: CHRIS JORDAN, 2-59
OVER 8: ADIL RASHID, PAKISTAN 2-50
WICKET! HARIS CAUGHT IN DEEP
Mohammad Haris holes out to Ben Stokes in the deep from Rashid’s first ball of the game. Pakistan is 2-45 and under the pump.
OVER 7: BEN STOKES, PAKISTAN 1-45
OVER 6: CHRIS WOAKES, PAKISTAN 1-39
Chris Woakes has been the most expensive of England’s bowlers, conceding 25 of the 39 power play runs.
Mohammad Haris took seven balls to get off the mark but finally got going with a deft flick over short fine leg.
England will be happy with the power play after managing 18 dot balls.
OVER 5: SAM CURRAN, PAKISTAN 1-29
Drama on the first ball of the over as Rizwan hurts his face/eye area while diving to complete a single. He’s being assessed by medical staff.
WICKET! RIZWAN CHOPS ON
Sam Curran gets a huge breakthrough for England, removing Rizwan for 14 off 15.
OVER 4: CHRIS WOAKES, 0-28
Mohammad Rizwan breaks the shackles on the first ball of the fourth over, dropping to one knee and sweeping Woakes for six over backward square leg.
It ends up being an expensive over after Rizwan chips Woakes over mid-on off the last ball and they scamper back for three.
OVER 3: SAM CURRAN, PAKISTAN 0-16
OVER 2: CHRIS WOAKES, PAKISTAN 0-12
OVER 1: BEN STOKES, PAKISTAN 0-8
Ben Stokes has bowled a no ball and wide to start! But the free hit thumps into Mohammad Rizwan and we finally have a fair delivery.
The other big moment came on the fourth ball when Rizwan smashed a drive straight to Chris Jordan at mid-off and took off.
A direct hit would have had him short by metres but Jordan couldn’t hit.
6.58PM UPDATE WE’RE ABOUT TO GET UNDERWAY!
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam are ready to go. Can they reprise their semi-final heroics? We’re about to find out?
6.44PM UPDATE RAIN LATEST
The Bureau of Meteorology says there is only a 60 per cent chance of rain in Melbourne between now and 8pm and about 70 per cent chance from 8pm-11pm.
I’m no weatherman, but I can tell you the sky is gloomy but there hasn’t been a drop of rain.
It’s very muggy in Melbourne today and you wonder whether that might suit Pakistan’s quicks when they let loose under lights later.
6.30PM UPDATE KFC SUPERCOACH BBL WATCH
There will be five players featuring in the T20 World Cup final who you can select in your KFC SuperCoach BBL team. Head to supercoach.com.au to pick your side today and click here for the full watch list.
6.22PM UPDATE
COIN TOSS: ENGLAND WIN TOSS AND WILL BOWL.
Pakistan and England are both unchanged from the semi-finals.
Mark Wood reportedly made a strong case for selection but was not 100 per cent.
TEAMS
ENGLAND: Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid.
PAKISTAN: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Nassem Shah
PAKISTAN FAN’S RING COMMITMENT
One couple has more riding on the T20 World Cup final than most.
Two Pakistan fans were snapped in the stands with a sign which reads: ‘I will buy my wife (ring) if (Pakistan) wins”.
We’re assuming they’re already married, but it would be a nice celebration at the jewellery store if Babar Azam’s side prevails.
6.15PM UPDATE WEATHER WATCH
Pleased to report the rain has stayed away from the MCG with only 45 minutes until the first ball of the final is bowled.
This day has a special spot in our nation’s heart & life long memory for the entire team. You guys have created another opportunity for the entire nation & yourselves for times to come. Wishing you all the best boys, put up a good fight
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 13, 2022
May you win #T20WorldCupFinal InshAllah 🤲🽠pic.twitter.com/RpyhoYQEjx
6.04PM THE CRAZY STORY OF PAKISTAN’S MR BEAN
Some are calling this World Cup final the battle of Mr Bean vs Pakistan Bean.
We’ll call it the Pak Bean prophecy.
One of the most bizarre rivalries in world sport - between T20 World Cup finalist and Zimbabwe - involves a Mr Bean impersonator and an appearance at a Zimbabwean event in 2016.
Reports suggest Pakistan comedian Asif Muhammad, a doppelganger for Rowan Atkinson’s character from the famous British sitcom, featured at the Harare Agricultural Show.
Social media videos show Muhammad, dubbed ‘Pak Bean’, receiving a police escort during his visit six years ago.
He has also been pictured taking photos with fans.
Clearly, Zimbabwean sporting fans have long memories and pinpointed the T20 World Cup’s Super 12 stage as the chance to exact revenge for the fake Mr Bean.
Even Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa became involved in the sporting spat.
Zimbabwe got its retribution when it defeated Pakistan in a last-ball thriller in the Super 12s and Mnangagwa tweeted: “What a win for Zimbabwe! Congratulations to the Chevrons. Next time, send the real Mr Bean”.
Here is latest from Mr. 'Fake Pak' Bean 😠pic.twitter.com/sZNQ0UWyGl
— 🇮🇳 Rupen Chowdhury 🚩 (@rupen_chowdhury) October 29, 2022
A fake Mr Bean was once paid to come and perform in Zimbabwe in 2016. pic.twitter.com/IrM5pfqcoH
— ApexNewsZim (@ApexNewsZim) February 3, 2021
This is where the story gets even more interesting.
Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif replied to Mnangagwa with: ‘We may not have the real Mr Bean, but we have real cricketing spirit . and we Pakistanis have a funny habit of bouncing back. Mr President: Congratulations. Your team played really well today.’
The Pakistan team has bounced all the way back to the final, capitalising on Netherlands’ shock win over South Africa with a commanding semi-final victory over New Zealand.
What a win for Zimbabwe! Congratulations to the Chevrons.
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) October 27, 2022
Next time, send the real Mr Bean…#PakvsZim 🇿🇼
For his part, Pak Bean released a statement which has been reportedly translated to: “I am a duplicate but if the Zimbabwe President and Pakistan PM can talk about me wishing each other after Zimbabwe’s win, my motive of making the world laugh is fulfilled.”
A Zimbabwean cricket fan said earlier in the T20 World Cup Pakistan would not be forgiven for the “fraud Pak Bean”.
But Pak Bean may yet have the last laugh and there are even calls for him to be allowed to present the trophy if Pakistan triumphs.
Pak Bean has become a viral sensation throughout the tournament and one website even listed him in the Pakistan batting order during the semi-final.
5.43PM UPDATE WILL ENGLAND NAME SORE DUO?
The biggest selection calls of the T20 World Cup final will be in the England camp, where Mark Wood and Dawid Malan faced a race against time to prove their fitness.
Chris Jordan and Phil Salt will make way if that pair are passed fit.
Did you know you can head to supercoach.com.au and pick Salt and Jordan in your team for the BBL for only $125k?
Mark Wood just measured his run-up. But I think Chris Jordan did, too.
— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) November 13, 2022
5.28PM UPDATE ROAD TO THE FINAL
Yes, it is true. The two finalists in this year’s T20 World Cup lost to Ireland and Zimbabwe on their way to the decider.
Pakistan incredibly dropped its opening two games in the Super 12 stage, losing on the last ball against India and Zimbabwe.
England’s campaign was on the ropes went it went down on DRS in a rain-affected game against Ireland and its match against Australia was also washed out.
But the Matthew Mott-coach English have rallied and played their best game of the tournament by steamrolling India in the semi-final.
You guys have already Won the Hearts of The Nation🇵🇰. Let’s go and repeat the History. Lots Prayers🤲🻠and Best Wishes. #PakistanZindabad🇵🇰#T20WorldCupFinal#PAKvsEng@TheRealPCBpic.twitter.com/hmUhtm7US0
— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) November 13, 2022
PAKISTAN
Super 12 stage
Pakistan 8-159 lost to India 6-160 by four wickets
Pakistan 8-129 lost to Zimbabwe 8-130 by one run
Pakistan 4-95 defeated Netherlands 9-91 by six wickets
Pakistan 9-185 defeated South Africa 9-108 by 77 runs
Pakistan 5-128 defeated Bangladesh 8-127 by five wickets
Semi-final
Pakistan 3-153 defeated New Zealand 4-152 by seven wickets
ENGLAND
Super 12 stage
England 5-113 defeated Afghanistan 112 by five wickets
England 5-105 lost to Ireland 1547 by five runs on DLS
England v Australia match abandoned
England 6-179 defeated New Zealand 6-159 by 20 runs
England 6-144 defeated Sri Lanka 8-141 by four wickets
Semi-final
England 0-170 defeated India 6-168 by 10 wickets
5.14PM UPDATE RELIVING 1992
As we wait for team news and the toss, why not reminisice about the last time these two counties played in a World Cup final at the MCG?
It was 1992 and a Pakistan team led by Imran Khan and Javed Miandad’s 139-run third-wicket partnership set England 6-249 batting first.
Neil Fairbrother (62) and Allan Lamb (31) gave the English hope and the final went down to the last over — delivered by Khan.
England was dismissed with four balls to spare and 22 runs short of its target, sparking jubilant scenes among the Pakistan crowd.
Will history repeat 30 years on?
4.55PM UPDATE FOX CRICKET EXPERTS PREDICT THE FINAL
BRETT LEE – FOX CRICKET EXPERT
My prediction even after the second semi-final where England decimated India, I’m backing Pakistan to win. I believe that Pakistan have the best fast bowling unit in the tournament with a cartel of quicks capable of going past the 150 kmph barrier they will destroy the English top order. Keep an eye on the left arm Pakistani quick Shaheen Shah Afridi to take early scalps.
ISA GUHA – FOX CRICKET EXPERT
Backing England to win. Pakistan are probably the stronger side based on form of the players. But I’m backing England to right the wrongs from their last game at the G vs Ireland. It’s going to be nip and tuck and I can’t wait.
Interesting-looking pitch. Lovely patches of green up and down the surface. Can’t wait to see the likes of Afridi, Naseem, Rauf and Mark Wood run in at the MCG tonight at the #T20WorldCupFinal. And still all clear here #T20WorldCuppic.twitter.com/Ymq5NDLwSV
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 13, 2022
BRENDON JULIAN – FOX CRICKET EXPERT
Pakistan to win the T20 World Cup hopefully no rain around and it is 40 over game Rizwan and Babar will continue their great form with the bat. Pakistan has a quality bowling outfit led by Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf. If Pakistan play with freedom and are aggressive with the bat and ball then I expect them to beat England. It won’t be easy England are very disciplined and the key will be getting Butler and Hales out early. It will be the side that makes the least amount of mistakes that will win the World Cup.
More than three hours until the first ball…#T20WorldCup#T20WorldCupFinalpic.twitter.com/WKJ9SmqyQn
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) November 13, 2022
MARK WAUGH – FOX CRICKET EXPERT
What a great final we have with two teams peaking for the big one. England demolished India off the back of a great opening stand between Buttler and Hales while Pakistan also cruised past NZ with Babar striking form at the right time. Very tight call but I’m tipping England to win with superior batting depth and an edge in the field.
BRIAN LARA – FOX CRICKET EXPERT
The aggression and comprehensive victories by both teams in their respective semi-finals make this encounter a mouth-watering one and a difficult one to choose the winner. Player for player Pakistan has the better team. I believe from being virtually out of the tournament and being handed a gift by South Africa, they will march home winners of the World Cup. Babar Azam now found his touch and is going to be my player of the match.
4.43PM UPDATE CRAZY SCENES AS PAKISTAN LEAVES TEAM HOTEL
Predicted heavy rain has so far dodged Melbourne in a promising sign for the T20 World Cup final.
And hundreds of Pakistan fans delayed their pilgrimage to the MCG to farewell their rivals from the team’s nearby Langham Hotel.
Bit going on #T20WorldCupFinalpic.twitter.com/aulcID9yTW
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) November 13, 2022
Current scenes at Langham Hotel where Pakistan is staying #T20WorldCupFinalpic.twitter.com/Kx2M4QmYHK
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) November 13, 2022
T20 WORLD CUP EXPERT PREDICTIONS
ROBERT CRADDOCK – NEWS CORP
Something magical is happening to Pakistan. The force is with them. I think they will do it on the back of man-of-the-match tip Babar Azam and the liberation they feel after coming back from the dead. That’s despite the fact England – incredibly – bat down to No 11.
BEN HORNE – NEWS CORP
England were the best team leading into this World Cup and despite a wobbly group stage, proved their status as No. 1 in their semi-final demolition of India. Pakistan are a great side full of momentum, and their bowling attack will provide a stern test for Alex Hales and Jos Buttler on a rapid MCG pitch. But England have extraordinary batting and bowling depth and have the resources and big match experience to rewrite the 1992 record books and win this World Cup final.
RUSSELL GOULD – NEWS CORP
One team lost to Ireland, the other to Zimbabwe in group games, and now they get to fight out the final. Both team’s batters bludgeoned their opposition in the semi-finals, but the way the England opening duo went about their work gives them the edge to collect the trophy with Jos Buttler to win player of the match.
DANIEL CHERNY – CODE SPORTS
England will frank years of white-ball innovation and fearlessness with their second T20 world title to become the first side to hold the T20 and ODI crowns simultaneously. Jos Buttler’s side showed its top gear on Thursday night at Adelaide Oval and come a World Cup final I’m backing Ben Stokes to find his big-match self and claim player of the match honours. That is of course all on the proviso we get cricket at all given La Nina’s grip on this event.
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Originally published as T20 World Cup final: England defeats Pakistan to confirm status as cricket’s white-ball kings
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