England’s ruthless performance against Pakistan in the second T20I on Sunday helped the hosts level the series 1-1 after losing the opener by 31 runs. Batting first at Headingley, Leeds, England posted a strong total of 200 runs on the board with the help of a half-century from Jos Buttler, who slammed 59 off 39 balls and Liam Livingstone’s quickfire 38 off 22 deliveries.
Pakistan got off to a good start in the run-chase but lost the plot after skipper Babar Azam’s dismissal on 22 to suffer a dramatic batting collapse. The visitors were restricted on 155/9 as they failed to gun down the target. Speaking after England’s comprehensive win, former English skipper Michael Vaughan lauded the Eoin Morgan-led side.
Vaughan went on to pick England as the favourites for the upcoming T20 World Cup this year. The former England captain stated that Morgan & Co. have got all the bases covered in their squad and have put themselves in a great position to win the T20 World Cup.
“England have put themselves in a great position [to win the T20 World Cup because they’ve got absolutely everything covered,” Vaughan was quoted as saying by BBC after England’s win at Headingley.
Current ODI world champions England had lifted their first T20 World Cup 2010 and came close to winning their second title in 2016 where they lost against West Indies in the final in India. England will be starting as favourites once again this year along with the likes of India, West Indies and Australia in the UAE
Liam Livingstone continued his purple patch with the bat in the second T20I against Pakistan on Sunday. His 23-ball 38 was laced with three sixes including a monstrous hit that went out of the park at Headingley. Vaughan heaped praise on Livingstone and called him the future star of England in T20Is.
“He’s becoming a class act. The hundred he got on Friday will have given him a huge amount of confidence and he was well on his way again today before he was run out.”He’s one we’re going to see a lot of over the next few years,” said Vaughan about Livingstone.
England will look to clinch the three-match T20I series 2-1 when they lock horns with Pakistan in the third and final encounter on Tuesday (July 20).
