Pakistan take series lead thanks to Gul and Ajmal
ENGLAND Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad admitted a substandard fielding performance cost his side dear as a superb display of death bowling from Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul helped Pakistan take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Alastair Cook’s one-day side set the standard in the recent 4-0 whitewash over the same opposition but England dipped below that benchmark in Dubai last night, particularly in the field where Graeme Swann was especially culpable.
Pakistan made 144-6 having been installed, with Shoaib Malik (39) and Misbah-ul-Haq (26 not out) producing some lusty blows. Swann partially atoned for giving Asad Shafiq an extra life by returning career-best figures of 3-13 in four overs.
England’s response got off to a positive start as Kevin Pietersen carried over his good from the one-day series with 33 in 21 balls. But despite contributions of 39 and 22 not out from Ravi Bopara and Johnny Bairstow, England were restricted by Gul who took 3-18 and Ajmal who returned figures of 1-27.
Broad said: “Pakistan batted quite nicely in the first three or four overs and made it difficult for us.
“Obviously Twenty20 is a very different game to one-day cricket. There’s not as much value for holding length and sticking in there. We’ll certainly review the game.
“We bowled pretty well and fielded not as well as we have done in the ODIs but we’re happy to keep them to 144.”
FIRST T20 PAKISTAN 144-6 | ENGLAND 136-6
5 Overs: Pakistan 38-1 with Dernbach’s variety causing problems. Zia’s opening burst of 18 off 12 balls got the hosts of to a flyer
10 Overs: Pakistan 73-3 with Shafiq and Hafiz back in the hutch. England and Swann looking to contain Afridi
15 Overs: Pakistan 99-5 with Afridi having bitten the dust skipper Misbah and the experienced Malik look the only real threat
15 Overs: Pakistan finish on 144-6 thanks largely to Malik’s unbeaten 39
5 Overs: England are 40-0 and Pietersen, ably assisted by Kieswetter, is seeing it like a water melon
10 Overs: England 65-2 after Pietersen holes out unluckily to deep square leg. Morgan and Bopara don’t look comfortable
15 Overs: England 110-3 after Morgan’s substandard tour continues. Bopara, unbeaten on 39, looks likely to be the key to victory
15 Overs: England end on 136-6 after some superb death bowling from Gul and Ajmal