Pakistan succumbed to England by five wickets in the T20 World Cup 2022 final at the MCG on Sunday (November 13). Ben Stokes' superb knock and Sam Curran's sensational spell took the game away from Pakistan's grip.
England won the T20 World Cup after Ben Stokes' first ever T20I half-century helped them to a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in Sunday's final at the MCG.
Excellent bowling in particular from Adil Rashid and Sam Curran held Pakistan to just 137/8, and England overcame some nervy moments in the chase riding on Stokes' brave first ever T20I half-century to win their second T20 World Cup.
Following Pakistan's hapless defeat, skipper Babar Azam said that his side fell 20 runs short and pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi's injury 'put them off'.
"Congratulations to England, they deserve to be champions and fought well. We felt like home here, got great support at every venue. Thanks for your support. Yes, we lost the first two games but how we came in the last four games was incredible," said Azam in the post-match presentation.
"I just told the boys to play our natural game, but we fell 20 runs short and the boys fought well with the ball. Our bowling is one of the best attacks in the world. Unfortunately, Shaheen's injury put us off, but that is part of the game," Azam further added.
Shaheen Afridi seemingly injured his knee after taking Harry Brook's catch in the 13th over. He returned and tried to bowl, but could not continue. He could bowl for only 2.1 overs out of his four overs.
The Pakistani fans had hoped for an encore of 1992, when Imran Khan's team created history at this very venue, but Pakistan's batting resembled more like their 1999 World Cup final effort at the Lord's.
Experienced Haris Rauf and young Nasim Shah bowled their hearts out to prevent it from becoming a one-sided game but Stokes soaked the pressure along with Ali as the duo put on a 48-run stand for the fifth wicket to nail the win that avenged England's loss to the same rivals in the '92 World Cup final.
Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi also could not bowl his full quota of overs after suffering a hamstring injury while fielding and that too helped England.
Player of the evening was certainly left-arm seamer Sam Curran, whose couple of spells heavily tilted the game in the favour England.
The MCG rooted for Pakistan but no one grudged when Stokes (52 not out of 49) pumped his fists after what had been an incredibly difficult few years, battling depression and mental health issues.
In front of an audience of 80,462, two highly-rated but not enough celebrated T20 bowlers Curran and Rashid scripted the win.
