NICK HOWSON rounds-up the third T20I at Emirates Old Trafford where England chase down 191 to complete a 2-0 series win
If Pakistan take nothing else from this tour of England, then the display of Haider Ali might make it all seem worth it. The 19-year-old was making his international debut, his only competitive outing of a trip where hotel rooms have been his refuge, and his only sight of a cricket ball having been in intra-squad matches.
It cannot be easy for players in that scenario. You're couped up, only released into the open air to carry drinks for teammates while wearing protective gloves and a mask. It is not what you were promised when a career in cricket first became realistic.
And it could go one of two ways. Either you've lost focus or you're keen to make the most of your opportunity. On this occasion, the Peshawar Zalmi batsman rose to the illustrious stage and produced a performance to match.
From the very outset, it was clear Haider was not going to allow this chance to pass him by. As everyone is asking as the sun begins to set on this international summer, when will the next one come around? He whacked Moeen Ali over the rope from his second delivery in the format. And that was just the start.
Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, and Lewis Gregory were soon dispatched, the latter whipped into the left-side with aplomb. He soon went to his fifty with a pull in front of square off the Somerset man. He came the first Pakistan player to reach the milestone on debut in a T20, and thus now has the biggest score.
COVID-19 might ensure we don't get another sighting of Haider for a number of months but he has certainly given us all a performance which will live long in the memory.
Shannon Gabriel. Jofra Archer. Nassem Shah. Yasir Shah. Every summer serves up a contender for ball of the summer, and these last two months have been no different.
Shaheen Afridi produced his own effort in the opening over of the England, clattering into Jonny Bairstow's off-stump with a full swinging delivery.
The Yorkshireman appeared to intimate that he could barely see the delivery - and you can understand why. It was an absolute rocket.
A virtually unplayable seed to wrap-up the summer. See you next time.
That is an absolute jaffa from Shaheen Afridi 👀#ENGvPAKpic.twitter.com/b8htvqkH3a
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) September 1, 2020
It is difficult not to place an asterisk next to all matches played this summer. Not because they don't count or are on a tier below, but due to the circumstances they are played in. For every great success, each failure should be treated with a degree of context.
How, therefore, should we treat the sloppy displays from this England white-ball side? With the series won against Ireland and Eoin Morgan injured on the sidelines, they were beaten in the third ODI. Take nothing away from Paul Stirling and his team, but the hosts didn't look at the races. Stand-in skipper Moeen Ali allowed the match to coast.
Pakistan could not win the series in Manchester and with Australia on the horizon, it felt as though England took their foot off the gas. The first innings included a drop, some wayward bowling, and some rather dubious ground fielding - not a cocktail that will bring with it a host of victories at this level.
Indeed, the 190 for 4 the tourists accumulated flattered them a little even if it was well below par.
Usually, England have the class in their batting line-up to wriggle their way out of any situation. Jonny Bairstow and Dawid Malan went early and bar the odd intervention they were unable to build any momentum in the chase.
Tom Banton was again sublime. It remains baffling that he didn't play in the South Africa T20s and he has benefitted hugely from Jason Roy's injury. He might even now be the man in possession at the top of the order. The 21-year-old is a cut above.
But once he departed and Eoin Morgan was comically run-out the writing was very much on the wall. Sam Billings emerges from this summer with ample credit but he and Moeen Ali were unable to complete the turnaround.
Three hundred and seventh-five runs, 40 overs and yet it was one over which separated these two sides.
On a day when a teenager shone on the big stage, it was one of the veterans who had the final word. Thirty-five-year-old Wahab Riaz took 2-26 and ran-out Chris Jordan on his knees to ensure the tour ended on a winning note.
This is a Pakistan squad with players at either end of their careers. For every Shaheen Afridi, there is a Sarfaraz Ahmed. When you have Mohammad Hafeez, there is Haider Ali.
Wahab showed there is life in the old dog yet with a wonderful display of athleticism and then some canny death bowling to get rid of Moeen Ali.
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