Former no.1 T20I bowler, England's leg-spinner Adil Rashid had a tough day at the office against West Indies in the second T20I of the series. Captain Harry Brook gave Rashid the responsibility to bowl the 19th over. It did not go the leg-spinner's way as big-hitters Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd smashed towering sixes. Rashid conceded 31 runs in his final over, the second-most by an England bowler in T20Is.
The most runs conceded by an England bowler in T20Is is 36 by Stuart Broad. He was hit for six consecutive sixes by legendary Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh in the inaugural ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2007 league stage game. Previously, the second spot for England belonged to Sajid Mahmood who conceded 28 runs against Akeal Hosein in 2022.
Rashid faces the heat
On the first ball of the over, Rashid tried to bowl a quicker one. Holder hit it over deep square leg for a six. Then, Rashid pitched it up. Holder waited and clobbered it over long-on for another six. On the third ball, Holder could not time it properly but enough to cross Tom Banton at long-on. On the fourth over, Holder threw the kitchen sink at it but could only manage a single via an inside edge. Shepherd came on strike and he deposited the ball over the sightscreen. After a brief breather, Rashid tossed another one up and Shepherd hit it deep into the stands for another maximum.
Rashid ended up conceding 59 runs from his quota of four overs. His only wicket was captain Shai Hope who scored 49 runs from 38 balls, including two fours and four sixes.
Target of 197 not enough
Despite posting 196/6 on the board, West Indies bowlers could not take the game till the end. After dismissing Jos Buttler and Brook, they were in the game. However, cameos from Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton helped them get over the line with four wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. After the game, Brook felt that it was an under par score.
"Held a few overs back from Daws (Liam Dawson) and Rash (Rashid) in the middle overs and even though they got a big overs at the end, I felt they were 30 short," Brook said in the post-match presentation.
England have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-T20I series. The last match of the series is on June 10 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.
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