A record total hands Pakistan their first win on the tour

On the back of a record-shattering first innings total, Pakistan registered their first win of the tour. They beat England by 31 runs to go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series. Liam Livingstone threatened to take the match away from Pakistan, but he holed out as soon as he reached his maiden T20I century - off 42 deliveries - the fastest for England.  

After a masterclass from Babar Azam (85) and Mohammad Rizwan (63), who put on 150 for the first wicket, Pakistan put up a total of 232 for 6, bettering their previous highest 205 for 3 they scored against West Indies three years ago in Karachi. Pakistan lost three wickets in a hurry, including that of skipper Babar Azam for 85 off 49, but they managed to reach the record total at Trent Bridge, taking the England bowlers to the cleaners. After Babar and Mohammad Rizwan opening wicket stand, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez put on 46 off just 16 for the fourth wicket to take Pakistan beyond 230. 

England maintained a good run rate but lost wickets at regular intervals. There were a couple of good partnerships, but none good enough to chase down 233. Livingstone gave the hosts hope with the fifth fastest T20I century of all-time, hitting six fours and nine sixes on his way to three figures. Yet it wasn't enough to prevent Pakistan from going 1-0 up in this three-match series, with England bowled out for 201 after player of the match Shaheen Shah Afridi who took a brilliant caught and bowled to dismiss opener Dawid Malan on his way to 3 for 30.

Shadab Khan too chipped in with three wickets.

"Everyone took part in today's win," said Azam following Pakistan's first victory of the tour after a 3-0 reverse in a one-day international series.

"After mine and Rizwan's partnership all the batsmen came and performed their roles and we got a brilliant total.

"We want to carry on the momentum on to the next game and take the positives from today," he added.

Meanwhile, England skipper Eoin Morgan praised Livingstone's innings by saying: "It was an incredible knock.

"The biggest compliment I could pay him is our changing room has watched some incredible knocks from (Jason) Roy or (Jos) Buttler or (Moeen) Ali and that knock was as good as any of them. He was incredible."

Livingstone and Morgan both missed the ODI series after all the originally selected squad had to self-isolate following a Covid outbreak in the England camp.

"We've spent 10 days in isolation," said Livingstone.

"It was nice to have that break and I came back in feeling really fresh. 

"I didn't pick a bat up for 10 days then came back in yesterday (Thursday) and felt really good."

Roy's rapid 32 kept England in the hunt before Livingstone, looking to establish himself in the England set-up, found his range with consecutive sixes off leg-spinner Khan. Livingstone needed just 17 balls for his fifty. Morgan then fell cheaply to leave England looking to Livingstone. The Lancashire all-rounder went to his hundred in style with a six before Khan had him caught in the deep.

England's tail now had too much to do and Afridi ended the match when he bowled Matt Parkinson with four balls left in the game. In the end, it was a comfortable win for Pakistan. However, it was an entertaining day for the fans with 433 runs scored in 39.2 overs.  Pakistan will take this confidence to their next game at Headingley on Sunday. 

Brief scores:

Pakistan 232 for 6 in 20 overs (Babar Azam 85, Mohammad Rizwan 63; Tom Curran 2 for 47) beat England 201 in 19.2 overs (Liam Livingstone 103, Jaso Roy 32; Shaheen Afridi 3 for 30) by 31 runs

Player of the match: Shaheen Afridi

(With inputs from AFP)