England thump Pakistan by seven wickets, win series 2-0

It was a one-way traffic as England defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in their fourth and final match at The Oval on Thursday and won the series 2-0.

Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to field first. England restricted Pakistan to 157 and chased it down with 27 balls remaining.

Two of the matches in the series were washed out, denting the World Cup preparations of both teams.

Pakistan went hard early and reached 59-0 by the final ball of the powerplay. Jofra Archer (1/31) removed Babar Azam (36 off 22).

Thereafter, Pakistan lost three wickets in nine balls to slump from 83-2 to 86-5 before going off for rain on 91-5 after 10.4 overs.

On the resumption, Liam Livingstone had a double-wicket maiden, starting with Usman Khan (38) departing to a brilliant diving catch from Chris Jordan at long-on.

England was clinical in the field — Pakistan was dismissed with one ball remaining in its innings — and ruthless with the bat, not least Buttler on his return to the squad after leaving to be present for the birth of his third child early this week.

In reply, They were 78-0 after the powerplay, before Salt holed out in the deep to be the first of three wickets for Haris Rauf (3-38 off 3.3 overs).

Will Jacks struck 20 at No. 3 in the order, before Bairstow and Brook — two more big hitters in England’s powerful top five — finished off Pakistan.

England will head to the Caribbean fighting for the title.

“There’s a good feeling around the squad,” Buttler said, “and they are all stepping up and performing.”

Brief Scores

Pakistan: 157 all out in 19.5 overs (Usman Khan 38; Liam Livingstone 2/17, Adil Rashid 2/27, Mark Wood 2/35)

England: 158 for 3 in 15.3 (Phil Salt 45; Haris Rauf 3/38)

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