Babar Azam: ‘Our middle order needs to step up’: Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam rues poor batting after series defeat to England | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: The fourth and final T20I between England and Pakistan in London saw the hosts clinch a comfortable seven-wicket victory, securing a 2-0 series win.
The match, which followed two rain-abandoned games, highlighted the contrasting fortunes of both teams.
Following the defeat, Pakistan captain Babar Azam rued his side’s poor batting display, stating, “In the first six overs, we played very well.After that, the momentum shifted as wickets fell. Our middle order needs to step up. You need 2-3 good overs in the middle and in the death as well. England’s bowling was very good. Hopefully we don’t do this at the World Cup. We made a couple of changes due to the injuries. Our powerplay was good. We have played good cricket in patches.”
Pakistan, after a promising start, faltered in the middle overs, a factor captain Babar Azam attributed to their loss. While the opening partnership between Babar (36) and Rizwan (23) yielded quick runs, the introduction of spin by England proved decisive. Adil Rashid (2/27) and Moeen Ali (1/23) applied the brakes, triggering a collapse that saw Pakistan lose five wickets for 41 runs.
Although Usman Khan (38) and Iftikhar Ahmed (21) provided a late surge, Pakistan could only manage 157/10, a total that proved inadequate. England’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Mark Wood (2/35) and Liam Livingstone (2/17), effectively stifled the Pakistani middle order, exposing their vulnerability in the process.

England’s openers, Phil Salt (45) and Jos Buttler (39), unleashed a brutal assault on the Pakistani bowlers. Their 78-run opening stand in the powerplay effectively sealed the game for England. Despite a brief fightback from Haris Rauf (3/38), England cruised home in 15.3 overs, with Jonny Bairstow (28*) and Harry Brook (17*) finishing unbeaten.
Adil Rashid was adjudged Player of the Match for his economical spell that choked the Pakistani middle order and turned the tide in England’s favour.
The series victory provides England with a confidence boost ahead of future limited-overs assignments. For Pakistan, the series exposed areas requiring improvement, particularly their middle-order batting, as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.
(Inputs from ANI)