England have beaten Pakistan in the T20 World Cup final after a superb bowling and fielding performance set up the win.
Chasing 138, England got home by five wickets despite losing Alex Hales early to an unplayable delivery by Shaheen Afridi.
Ben Stokes was once again England’s hero, scoring a half century with the bat to calm nerves and secure victory.
Left-arm seamer Sam Curran was the pick of England’s bowlers, conceding just 12 runs and taking three wickets. Adil Rashid and Chris Jordan chipped in with two wickets each, with Stokes picking up one.
Only Shan Masood, with 38 and captain Babar Azam, on 32, were able to make any meaningful contribution to Pakistan’s score.
England last won the T20 in 2010 in the Caribbean. They are also the current one-day international champions, which they won at Lord’s in the famous final of 2019.
England reached this year’s final, played in Melbourne, Australia, despite a humiliating defeat in a rain affected match against Ireland in the earlier rounds.
