Alex Hales shined with the bat in his first international game since March 2019, helping England chase down a modest 159-run target
to beat Pakistan in the first T20I at National Stadium in Karachi on Tuesday. The impressive six-wicket win also propelled the visitors to take a 1-0 lead in the seven-match series.
The star opener smashed 53 from 40 deliveries, his ninth T20I half-century, including seven fours, and set up a perfect chase for his side. Along with
Harry Brook, who impressed with an unbeaten 42 off 25 balls, Hales formed a 55-run partnership for the fourth wicket before
Haris Rauf dismissed him in the 17th over. However, by then, it was too late for the hosts, as England won the contest with four balls to spare.
Earlier, the tourists bowled exceptionally well to restrict Pakistan to 158/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Luke Wood picked up three wickets while conceding 24 runs in his quota of 4 overs. Similarly,
Adil Rashid also bagged a couple of scalps for 27 runs in 4 overs.
For the home side, opener
Mohammad Rizwan top-scored with 68 from 46 deliveries with the help of eight boundaries, including a couple of sixes.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Victory to start the series ?
??
#PAKvENG ???????
pic.twitter.com/e8kzhqRasw — England Cricket (@englandcricket)
September 20, 2022
England seal a fine win to go 1-0 up in the seven-match series ??
#PAKvENG |
https://t.co/rYvqeHtU8L pic.twitter.com/uIQjqpzinW — ICC (@ICC)
September 20, 2022
Responsible innings from Alex Hales on his comeback. A fifty in his first international match since 10th March 2019
#PAKvENG #Cricket — Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket)
September 20, 2022
3 for 24 for Luke Wood on debut and a 39-ball half-century for the returning Alex Hales: strong Trent Rockets, strong England
— Matt Roller (@mroller98)
September 20, 2022
An immediate impact.
Alex Hales cuts, clobbers, pulls and piledrives his way to
as England win the first IT20 against Pakistan.
#PAKvENG #OutlawsOverseas pic.twitter.com/HmKoV6qlUf — Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge)
September 20, 2022
England win the series opener by six wickets ?
#PAKvENG |
#UKSePK pic.twitter.com/B1LosW90Uh — Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB)
September 20, 2022
Fifty by Alex Hales – a terrific innings right after returning to the England team after 42 months. Fantastic by Hales!
pic.twitter.com/CtpNBnpa5p — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
September 20, 2022
Alex Hales crashing the ball through the covers in an England shirt. Waited few years for that x
— CityGroundShelf (@CityGroundShelf)
September 20, 2022
Good to see Alex Hales is back ?
#PaKVEng — Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm)
September 20, 2022
England have chased down 157 runs with ease & won the 1st T20I by 6 wkts courtesy Alex Hales masterclass of 53 off 40 & a fiery innings of 42* off 25 from Harry Brook. What a start to this historic series in Pakistan after 17 years as England 1/0 Up in the 7 match T20I series.
pic.twitter.com/OaXgR3AeQM — Ayesha Rootfied (@JoeRoot66Fan)
September 20, 2022
For latest cricket news & updates, visit
CricketTimes.com.
