ENG VS PAK - 3rd T20I, Pakistan tour of England, 2021

The shutterbugs get busy and England get busy posing for the lenses as this has become a daily ritual for this all conquering white ball unit. The revolution post 2015 for England in white ball cricket is a story for the ages. It can be a thesis actually and Doctor Morgan will hog a major part of the subject. The analogies of the pre 2015 and post 2015 couldn't be more diverse. But what would please England the most would be that they won this with Pakistan having the upper hand as far as the conditions were concerned. There was prodigious amount of turn available and Pakistan bossed the middle overs after a rampaging Roy had set it up for the hosts. Their spinners got them timely strikes but this never ending batting line up of England did enough to pip the visitors at the post. England after blanking Pakistan 3-0 in the ODIs have out done them 2-1 in the T20Is with a far more superior arsenal. The results might not have gone in favour of the mercurial Asian side but their T20 form can only get better from here. A little more meat in their batting line up and that would make up for a good recipe during the upcoming T20 WC. England are spoilt for choices as almost everyone who had a chance has performed. But we have limited choices at this time of the day and will crash! That's my time, this is Kumar Abhisekh Das signing off on behalf of Hariprasad Sadanandan and Venky!

Eoin Morgan: It means a huge amount. The way we play, this is the worst possible conditions for us. But we have been pushing our boundaries. But even I think the ball won't turn anywhere near as much as it did today even in the UAE as I played in the IPL last season. The guys at the top of the order set up the chase despite Jos not having a good day. Two three fantastic performances have come up despite limited chances.

Babar Azam: We were 10-15 runs short. We wanted to fight and we did. Unfortunately, we couldn't win. We could have scored few runs more at the top of the order. We played a few bad shots. We generally play the spinners well. There will be good days and bad days. The support here will be missed. West indies will have different conditions. We will sit down and have a chat about it. We use Hafeez according to situations and he is in the scheme for the WC.

Liam Livingstone, Man of the Series: I am very happy. Very happy to win a series at my home ground. Rashid bowled really well and Roy set it up for us. The lads tell me if you want to swing, then hit it hard. Nice to contribute to a series win. I have worked hard on my bowling. Was happy to get a few overs in today and I bowl a lot of Lancashire as well.

Jason Roy, Man of the Match: Just went out and had a little bit of fun. Was frustrating to get out. Was a little difficult out there and we had a specific game plan. It was pretty rewarding out there. We play on flat pitches and score billions of runs. But we have traditionally struggled on wickets which spin a bit. This win will give us a lot of confidence.

21:53 Local Time, 20:53 GMT, 02:23 IST: In hindsight how important was Roy's onslaught? Priceless. His 64 has its worth in gold..err in platinum. England were up against it as the score of 154 up against them might not look frightening but the fact that 15 of the 20 overs were bowled by spinners talks volumes about the fact that there was a lot of spin available on the wicket. And despite being in touch with the required rate, it took a scuffle for England to get over the line. Pakistan overpowered England on a belter and now England have put it across Pakistan on a spinning beauty here at Old Trafford. Buttler didn't get going, Malan found it draining and Bairstow's stocks for a middle order spot dipped further. Morgan took it on himself and his couple of sixes off Hasan Ali did turn the game around for England after they were cornered a bit. All this after Roy batted like a dream at the top of the order.

Hasan Ali to Jordan, 2 runs, England have snatched a famous win here. That was a fuller ball outside off and Jordan inside edged the ball away behind square on the on-side to steal a second. The keeper went after it but failed to stop the second. Look at Jordan, he is all pumped up and is seen fist pumping with all his might. The England balcony erupts in joy. This means a lot to them as they know it all could have gone wrong. England win the series 2-1

Hasan Ali to Jordan, 2 runs, quickish length ball and tucked wide of the man at short fine fielder for a brace. England inch closer to a series win. That was a length delivery, skidded on and Jordan did well to close the face of the bat on that

David Willey, left handed bat, comes to the crease

Hasan Ali to Morgan, out Caught by Shadab Khan!! Was that shot needed? Hasan Ali has bowling slower balls and Morgan could have dinked it away for a single or two. But Morgan danced down and slapped it to the man at long-on. Easiest of takes for the boundary rider. England have still kept it open for the visitors. 4 needed off 4 balls. Morgan c Shadab Khan b Hasan Ali 21(12) [4s-1 6s-2]

Hasan Ali to Morgan, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Hasan Ali to Morgan, 2 runs, Pakistan, oh Pakistan! The bowler called for the skier but didn't get close enough to take it. A slower length delivery was skied up and placed well enough to land in no man's land. The bowler ran to the short mid region but failed to get hold of it

Chris Jordan, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Hafeez to Livingstone, out Caught by Maqsood!! Six and gone. But that blow has taken away a lot of pressure. That was a floaty delivery wide outside off, Livingstone went for the slog and only managed a top-edge for the man at short third to take it. Lovely delivery as he out thought the batter there who wanted another slog sweep to result in a six. But the seasoned Hafeez kept it wide enough to ensure a false shot. 6 needed to win now. Livingstone c Maqsood b Hafeez 6(2) [6s-1]

Hafeez to Livingstone, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Hafeez to Livingstone, SIX, my, my where you hiding Livingstone? The hangover from the ton hasn't gone away. That was a flatter ball and Livingstone slams it over deep mid for a sixer. This is sheer dominance from a man who is super confident

Liam Livingstone, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Hafeez to Malan, out Bowled!! The offie has done it. The gamble has paid off. Bold captaincy from Babar to give it to Hafeez after his last over had gone for few. But Hafeez bowled to his strength, kept it flatter and at the sticks. The batter backed away to cut it but missed it. England still need 12 to win. This over has gone for only four runs so far. Malan b Hafeez 31(33) [4s-2]

Hafeez to Malan, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Hafeez to Malan, 2 runs, chips down the track and powers it down to long-on for a couple. The little fumble from the long-on fielder allowing the second to be taken. Shaheen Afridi the fielder there making the mistake