Highlights, cricket result, Pakistan vs World XI, 3rd T20I at Lahore: Sarfraz's men clinch Independence Cup

Pakistan captain, Sarfraz Ahmed: I want to thank the almighty. We are working on our fitness because it is very important. Our fielding has also improved because of our fitness. Today we put out a brilliant team effort. I would like to thank the crowd to support us and also the curators for curating outstanding pitches.

Babar Azam has been awarded the Player of the Series award.

World XI captain Faf du Plessis: It was obviously a huge success.  Coming back to paksitan, obviously from a World XI’s point of view, it was amazing. This was a strong Paksitan team. There’s lot more energy, their fielding is electric, which is a big change. Now, they’re as good as any team. Skills wise with yorkers and slower balls. Captaining World XI was great. They’re a good bunch of guys. We were very happy to be here. Thank you so much for the hospitality.

Ahmed Shehzad is the player of the match.

Shehzad​: I was playing to the situation like the team required. I was maybe due some big runs and had a very good partnership. I failed to score runs in the first two games. So, I decided to stay till the end, thinking if others can do it, even I can. I hope take it forward. I would like to thank mickey Arthur and the coaching staff who have been through thick and thin. They showed their faith and trust in me when I didn’t score runs.I would like to thank the crowd and the World XI. Many of them want to come back. Everyone enjoyed and cricket wins.

The World XI team appreciating the support and gratitude they received from the Lahore crowd throughout the series.

Image courtesy: Hassam Azam

Fitting end with local favourite, Darren Sammy entertaining the crowd with a few big hits. Hassan Ali and Rumman Raees bowled with pace and aggression and nailed those yorkers even as Pakistan had the game already sealed after David Miller’s dismissal. It’s cliche to say “Cricket is the real winner here”, but it’s more than apt for this series where winning and losing was almost inconsequential. The series needed action and intensity and the two teams haven’t disappointed.

Pakistan defeat World XI by 33 runs to clinch the Independence Cup. Sarfraz Ahmed’s golden run continues, after the Champions Trophy, he has won his first series at home as captain.

A series win looks imminent for the home side as the RR looks impossible to match for the away team. Unsurprisingly, very few fans have left the stadium unlike the previous two game at this stage of the match. Every one wants to be part of the celeberation and euphoria of winning a series in Lahore again.

After 19 overs,World XI 145/8 ( Darren Sammy 19 , Samuel Badree 0)

Sammy, barring the four, has failed to connect any thing cleanly. He played three dots and collected a single. He refuses to rotate the strike on the final delivery.

This is surely it for Pakistan now after Miller miscues an attempted big shot. World XI has left its tail way too much to do here. Great effort in the field by Pakistan tonight. They have fielded brilliantly, held on to their catches and affected 3 run outs. Shinwari, Raees and Ali have hardly given anything away with the ball.

FOUR! Sammy hammers Hasan to wide long on.

After 18 overs,World XI 140/8 ( Darren Sammy 14 , Samuel Badree 0)

Usman Shinwari has completed his spell. His figures: 4-0-26-1. World XI need 43 in 12 balls.

The plan seems to be simple for Sammy; dont give him anything to get his bat under, which means everything will be directed at the block hole. Get it wrong and he will send it sailing further back than Perrera did yesterday. The match is on the West Indian now for the World XI

The seam bowling from Pakistan has been spot on in this game so far. They have generally a good length and kept it on the stumps. The number of batsmen getting out bowled a testimony to the line they have bowled. They will have to change their line of attack quickly in the death overs against Miller and Sammy though who will be happy to go after anything on a good length.

OUT! Another run out, fifth of the game. Let that sink in. Babar Azam scores a direct hit at bowler’s end to send back Morne Morkel.

After 17 overs,World XI 137/7 ( Darren Sammy 12 , )

Another 9-run over. Match has slipped out of World XI’s hands after the Miller wicket.

OUT! Final nail in the coffin? Miller gets low and slogs it…. albeit straight to deep midwicket. Babar Azam is ecstatic in the deep. Hasan Ali collects his second.

SIX! Sammy stands tall and lofts it over long on.

After 16 overs,World XI 128/6 ( David Miller 31 , Darren Sammy 4)

Okay, 65 off 30. World XI need a big over. Nope not happening. Just singles and the odd couple. Oh hold on, Miller scores a boundary. But it is still not enough. Nine runs off the over.

FOUR! Short ball around leg, Miller pulls it through fine leg.

After 15 overs,World XI 119/6 ( David Miller 25 , Darren Sammy 2)

72 off 36. 12 runs per over. Difficult but it is a matter of two overs. Both Miller and Sammy are capable of inflicting some lusty blows. The over, however, begins quietly. Two singles, brace, wide and a single. Can Sammy hit a big one? No, he can’t because Usman bowls a brilliant yorker. All Sammy can manage is a dig towards covers. Shenwari follows it up with another good delivery. Keeps the over down to seven runs.

After 14 overs,World XI 112/6 ( David Miller 21 , )

Raees is into the attack. Makes a decent start. Concedes three singles and bowls a dot. Thisara then slashes him for a boundary and Rumman avenges it by dismissing him.

It’s ‘Sammy’ ‘Sammy’ echoing in the ground as the big man enters the frey. The run chase is still on mind you even though World XI has lost 6 scalps. Two more than capable men at the crease to still take them home.

OUT! Is he out? Is he not? Think I jinxed him. He looked to smack it over covers but miscued it only to get caught by Babar at covers. Nonetheless, he provided hope for World XI. Departs for 32 off 13 balls.

Is it possible, could it be? Are we going to see another magical knock from Perrera who looks in ominous form. A over ago the RR looked worrisome for the away team. An over later, anything is possible!

Thisara Perera is playing gas if Gaddafi is his backyard. Shadab Khan has no answer to this brutal assault as Thisara collects 3 sixes and a 4 off his over. He kept them alive in the series two nights ago and he is again carrying all hopes of World XI on his enormous shoulders.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Slightly short and Perera slashes it over point.

After 13 overs,World XI 105/5 ( David Miller 19 , Thisara Perera 27)

The 24-run over has brought the equation down to 79 off 42 balls. With Miller and Thisara at the strike, this match is live. Do not go anywhere. Thisara’s strike rate is 300! If that doesn’t keep you hooked, I don’t know what will!

FOUR! And another, slogs it over Shadab’s head for a boundary.

SIX! SIX! SIX! Hat-trick of maximums! Thisara has induced life into this match.

After 12 overs,World XI 81/5 ( David Miller 18 , Thisara Perera 4)

Sarfraz brings back Hasan into the attack. One wicket here and it could be game. But both the batsmen are taking it deep, not taking undue risks. After milking four singles, Miller flicks it to midwicket fence.

FOUR! Powerful! Miller whips it to the long fence.

After 11 overs,World XI 73/5 ( David Miller 12 , Thisara Perera 2)

Shadab appeals for an LBW against Miller on the first ball. But the umpire is unmoved, think it was going down the leg side. On ball two, Miller drills it to long off for a single. The next four balls go for four more singles. The equation is now 111 runs off 54 balls.

The Pakistani side is buzzing in the fields today, two brilliant peices of fielding to dismiss Amla and Faf. Yes, this series has far reaching consequences when it comes to bringing cricket home, however the players and fans alike are loving the competitiveness of the final. After all, it was 2007 that the last time a series decider was played in Lahore

After 10 overs,World XI 68/5 ( David Miller 9 , Thisara Perera 0)

Imad bowls it flat and around leg, Faf works it to midwicket for a run. Miller edges one to short third man, no run taken. Miller releases some pressure with a maximum. There you go, after running Amla out, Faf falls to a Shadab direct hit. Ten runs off the over.

OUT! Shadab Khan is a brilliant fielder. We know it, you know it and he proves it yet again. Scores a direct hit from covers to send Faf du Plessis back to the hut. Seriously, what is wrong with South Africans in pressure games?

George Bailey has played a nightmare of T20 innings. He played out the first maiden of the series in the power play before getting relieved of his miseries by Imad Wasim. World XI dearly need Faf du Plessis and David Miller to do bulk of the scoring here and hope for a late order blitzkrieg again from one of Thisara Perera or Darren Sammy to pull off another heist.

SIX! Typical Miller. Brute force. Comes down the ground the slogs it over mid off for half a dozen.

After 9 overs,World XI 58/4 ( Faf du Plessis (C) 12 , David Miller 2)

Shadab Khan enters the attack to bowl his leg breaks. He tosses it up straightaway and du Plessis nurdles a single. Miller sweeps the 3rd ball to deep midwicket. du Plessis follows suit. A good tight over from the leggie.

After 8 overs,World XI 53/4 ( Faf du Plessis (C) 9 , David Miller 0)

Hosts are in complete control. The visitors have lost four wickets and are in a desperate need of a partnership. They could’ve also lost Miller on the last ball but Sarfraz Ahmed failed to hold onto to a catch.

OUT! Bowled him! Bailey was struggling and Wasim brought his struggle to an end. Bailey tried to cut the flatter ball but he bottom edged it onto his stumps.

After 7 overs,World XI 50/3 ( Faf du Plessis (C) 7 , George Bailey (W) 2)

Nawaz is into the attack. And Pakistan continue to keep it tight. Three singles and a boundary.

Tamim Iqbal didn’t waste any time to show who is the boss against Imad Wasim’s left arm spin but the seam bowlers have brought Pakistan right back with Shinwari and Hasan Ali dislodging both the openers. Pakistan must continue to play this to their strength here and look to pick wickets instead of trying to keep the runs down.

The anchor of the World XI batting is gone as Amla is dismissed with the crowd predicting an imminent sinking ship as they gave one of the loudest, if not the loudest one of the innings so far. I wonder if Bailey was the right man to send in given he has not batted at all in the series till now.

FOUR! Faf makes a move, dances down the ground and plays the inside out shot perfectly over covers.

After 6 overs,World XI 43/3 ( Faf du Plessis (C) 1 , George Bailey (W) 1)

First maiden over of the series and Rumman Raees has bowled it in the last over of the Powerplay. Bailey is struggling to make a move and Raees cashes in on it.

After 5 overs,World XI 43/3 ( Faf du Plessis (C) 1 , George Bailey (W) 1)

Four followed by two wickets in two balls. You bet the crowd at the Gaddafi stadium are enjoying themselves at the centre. Two new batsmen at the crease and Pakistan will look to consolidate here.

OUT! Oh no, oh no. Pakistan have got the big fish. Faf clipped one towards midwicket and called Amla across. But he sees that the run isn’t there and shouts no. However, it was too late for Amla by then and Hasan ran Amla out for 21.

Can not afford to give room on either side of the wicket, especially when it comes to T20 cricket. And talk about giving width to Amla with the field up; Pakistani will have to adjust quickly before Amla becomes the unstoppable force he can be.

OUT! There it is, the old, captivating Hasan Ali celebration. And why not? Cutting has just inside edgeds one onto his stumps after hitting a boundary. He is out for 5.

FOUR! Cutting moves across and whips it to the right of midwicket.

After 4 overs,World XI 37/1 ( Hashim Amla 21 , Ben Cutting 1)

Expensive over. Amla has not allowed Pakistan to build pressure after Tamim’s wicket. Was able to decipher Usman Shinwari and collected 14 runs off the over.

FOUR! Third boundary of the over. Clears his front leg, uses his bottom hand to loft the ball over mid off.

FOUR! Amla walks ahead and across and wrists a length ball over short fine leg.

FOUR! Waited for the fuller ball from Usman and slapped it down the ground. Amla is continuing from where he left off in the 2nd T20I.

Sarfaraz had a word with Usman after he troubled Tamim with a couple of short of good length deliveries and the next ones was bowled full and fast. Thats how he eventually gets the Bangladeshi, through his defences before that bat came down.

The whole stadium roared and chanted the name of two greats of Pakistan Cricket; Misbah and Afridi, who made their way around the stands on a traditional Rikshaw before wishing the team their best on the final of this momentuous home series.

Pakistan posts a competitive total third time in a row in this series thanks to some brutal hitting at the end by Shoaib Malik. They will still need to bowl well to defend this. Once again Malik didn’t get enough deliveries to make the kind of impact he is capable of. He faced just 7 out of 120 deliveries in this inning and scored 17 crucial runs. In a T20 game, letting your key player bat in key situations is often the game. Over to World XI now to chase 184, they will be hoping for some dew and a wet outfield to help them again tonight.

After 3 overs,World XI 23/1 ( Hashim Amla 7 , Ben Cutting 1)

Well, Imad Wasim will roll continue to roll his arm. Begins with a leg side wide. Amla scores his first boundary off the second ball. The rest of the over was, rather: two dots and three singles.

A challenging score put up by the Pakistan team, this should be a very enjoybale finale to the whole series as Darren Sammy makes a return to the World XI batting line up. Pakistan’s Hassan Ali, who was their main man in the Champions Trophy, makes his way back in the line up and his cutters and change of pace will be crucial to stem the flow of runs.

FOUR! Amla shimmies down the track and sends the ball over mid on.

After 2 overs,World XI 16/1 ( Hashim Amla 1 , Ben Cutting 0)

Usman Khan to bowl from the other end. Starts with a lovely ball and beats Tamim on the outside edge. Tamim gets off the strike on the third ball. This has been a decent over so far. Amla bunts one to mid on for a single. Well, Usman counters the threat with little assitance from the pitch as Tamim perishes.

OUT! Tamim’s short stay at the crease comes to an end. To be honest, the bounce did him in there. The ball hardly bounced and went under his willow to crash onto the sticks. Tamim out for 14.

After 1 overs,World XI 13/0 ( Tamim Iqbal 13 , Hashim Amla 0)

What an ideal way to the start the chase. Tamim has already scored three boundaries and seems to be in an attacking mood. Will be interesting to see how Pakistan counter his threat. 13 off the over.

FOUR! Wasim goes short, Tamim goes on his back foot to pull it over midwicket. Pakistan under pressure straightaway.

FOUR! Connects it cleanly this time. Slog sweeps it over midwicket.

FOUR! Tamim comes down the track and miscues one over mid off. Luckily for hm it falls in no man’s area and goes for a boundary.

Hashim Amla and Tamim Iqbal arrive at the centre Imad Wasim will bowl the first over. Time for the chase to start…

Imad should have gotten Malik on strike ASAP as he was in trumendous form. But he chooses to give his wicket away after wasting a delivery before that. It’s moments like these where I feel Imad still has a long way to go before fully maturing as a cricketer.

Babar was well disappointed with himself as he walked back to the dug out, gets some pats on the back from his team mates. His intensity towards his innings is never that apparent in the crease due to his temperament. ​

After 20 overs,Pakistan 183/4 ( Shoaib Malik 17 , Sarfraz Ahmed (C) (W) 0)

A top, top over from Thisara Perera. After his assault in the 2nd T20I, he must be high on confidence. Conceded just eight runs off the over as Pakistan lost two wickets in Babar Azam and Imad Wasim.

OUT! Another failure for Imad Wasim. He can’t get the white object past Faf du Plessis at covers. Departs for a silver duck.

SIX! A juicy full toss on stumps, Malik says, “thank you,” and smacks it over square leg.

OUT! Babar Azam looks to go over covers off Thisara Perera but mistimes it to Faf du Plessis at covers. He is livid but has to depart for 48.

After 19 overs,Pakistan 175/2 ( Babar Azam 48 , Shoaib Malik 9)

Morkel comes back. Keeps things under control for the first four balls, only four off it. But then, Malik manages to get the big hit, a slog over the bowler’s head. Eventually, 11 came off it. Can Pakistan get to 190?

SIX! In the zone, Malik clears his front leg and tonks it towards the sightsreen.

The pair of Shehzad and Azam showed more intent in this partnership than they had done in the previous two games. Babar especially was looking to go after the bowling from the word go and Shehzad is now cutting loose. He has taken Ben Cutting to the cleaners with 3 sixes consecutive sixes against him. He is finally coming good on the promise shown in the previous two innings. In T20 cricket, if you take time to settle in then you must pay back with quick runs at the end. He deserved a 100 for his efforts today.

After 18 overs,Pakistan 164/2 ( Babar Azam 46 , Shoaib Malik 0)

Just the over Pakistan needed. I had said 165 would be a par score but hosts can get to 190 here, thanks to three humongous Shehzad sixes. He will be upset that he fell 11 short of a century, but that is how cricket is! Nonetheless, Malik is at the strike now. His form has been brilliant in this series, cane he make another impact?

OUT! Shehzad misses out on a ton. Cutting bowled a leg side and for some reason, Shehzad wanted a single, Azam didn’t. And Shehzad ended up losing his wicket. Walks back for 89.

SIX! Three in a row! With this hit, the 100-run stand also comes up between Shehzad and Babar. Gets across and hooks it over fine leg.

SIX! Shehzad smokes it over deep midwicket. SIX! Hold on another maximum with a similar shot.

After 17 overs,Pakistan 142/1 ( Ahmed Shehzad 70 , Babar Azam 44)

Babar starts with a boundary over covers. Morne bowls another short delivery outside off, Babar gets a run but is not happy as he knows he could’ve guided it past short third man. Frustrating for Morkel as Shehzad edges one to fine leg. Shehzad plays an innovative shot to score the third boundary of the over. Shehzad fails to put bat to ball on the fifth before pulling the final delivery in front of square on the leg side for a couple. Good over for Pakistan, 15 came off it. What is a realistic target here? 165-170 would be good, if you ask me.

FOUR! Shehzad shuffles across and scoops Morkel over short fine leg. Third boundary of the over.

FOUR! Shehzad tries to whip but inside edges it to the fine leg fence.

FOUR! Morkel bowls it short and outside off, Babar plays the inside out over covers.

After 16 overs,Pakistan 127/1 ( Ahmed Shehzad 60 , Babar Azam 39)

Babar creams the first ball through covers for a boundary. Thisara concedes the first extra of the night: a leg side wide. Babar drives it to the sweeper cover fence for a single. Shehzad thrashes one to deep midwicket and collects couple. Thisara bowls a tremendous yorker and Shehzad digs it back to the bowler. A low full and Shehzad fails to put it way, miscues it to deep midwicket. Babar on the strike for the final ball: He clips to fine leg and calls Shehzad across.

Far below the run rate the home team had achieved at the same point in the previous two games, with five overs remaining, they need to push on as the crowd urges the players on for big hits.

FOUR! Babar backs away and punches it to the sweeper cover fence.

After 15 overs,Pakistan 117/1 ( Ahmed Shehzad 57 , Babar Azam 33)

Shehzad dances down the track and mistimes one to long on. One run taken. Babar makes a similar approach, lofts it to wide long on for a brace. Azam and Shehzad rotate the strike on ball three and four. On the fifth, Azam lofts it over the bowler’s head and maintains the strike with a run to sweeper cover.

FOUR! Welcome boundary. Azam gets under that full delivery and hammers it down the ground.

After 14 overs,Pakistan 107/1 ( Ahmed Shehzad 55 , Babar Azam 25)

DROPPED! Babar plays the pick up shot towards deep fine leg and Tahir puts it down. Perera pitches it up and Shehzad flicks it through midwicket to rotate the strike. Azam skips down the track and works it through square leg. Single taken. Shehzad looks to scoop, but mistimes it to short fine leg, one run addded to the total. Azam plays a drive on the up to covers and calls Shehzad across. Thisara ends the over with a yorker, Shehzad squeezes it towards the off side for one run. Last 14 balls, Pakistan have scored 14 singles.

There is a sense of festivity about the crowd today as Punjabi music mixed with other local talent accompanies the end of each over, supplemented by loud cheers from the crowd. The stadium is jam packed!

After 13 overs,Pakistan 101/1 ( Ahmed Shehzad 52 , Babar Azam 22)

FIFTY! Shehzad gets to the milestone with a run to midwicket. Fine innings, has been in control but also must change gears now. Another off cutter, Azam knocks it in front of square to bring Shehzad on strike. Shehzad opens the face of the bat to the outside off yorker and guides it to point. Single taken. Ball four: a clip to midwicket for a single. Two more 1s to end the over.

Babar Azam has a much higher strike rate in T20s during the first 6 overs than the latter part of the innings. Micky uses him at the top for Karachi Kings for the same reason. With the openners providing the platform, it will be intruguing what range of shots he chooses to accelerate the run rate.

After 12 overs,Pakistan 95/1 ( Ahmed Shehzad 49 , Babar Azam 19)

Badree comes back. Starts with a short ball, outside off Babar pulls it to midwicket for a single. Shehzad gets to the pitch of the second delivery and clips it to wide long on for a brace. On the fourth ball, Azam looks to cut one but edges it fine. He nudges the fifth ball to fine leg for a single and Shehzad collects another run to be one hit away from a fifty.

FOUR! Edged but for a boundary. Babar looks to cut but edges it to the third man fence.

After 11 overs,Pakistan 85/1 ( Ahmed Shehzad 45 , Babar Azam 13)

Babar offers full bat face and scores a single to long on. Shehzad pulls the second delivery to deep midwicket for a run. Babar sends the slower one to the deep midwicket fence. A delivery in the blockhole, nonetheless Babar rotates the strike. A waist high full toss, Shehzad misses out and runs a single He was asking for a no ball but umpire just smiled at him. Babar nudges the final delivery to fine leg for another run. Decent over for Pakistan, 9 came off it.

World XI simply doesn’t seem interested in wickets this series. Their intention is to suck the momentum out of Pakistan batting, and wickets may come either as a side effect of that or through a lucky break. They got lucky with the wicket of Fakhar Zaman getting run out at the non-striker’s end as the ball deflected off Sammy’s hand to find him out of the crease. We again have the familiar pair of Ahmed Shehzad and Babar Azam in the middle. Both need to get a move on soon here and let Pakistan use the whole depth of their batting resources in this innings.

A swish of the wrists for the cut short, high elbow as he leans into the drive, quick transfer of weight for the pull and the hook; Ahmed Shahzad was making them look easy on the non-striker end in the previous two game according to many. He is answeing his critics today but its amusing to note how often he has to do that.

FOUR! Sammy rolls the wrist over the ball and Babar hammers the full delivery over midwicket.

After 10 overs,Pakistan 76/1 ( Ahmed Shehzad 43 , Babar Azam 6)

Shehzad uses his feet and drives the second ball to long off for a couple. Slogs the next delivery to long on fence. The over ends with four runs: 2 singles and a brace. Ten runs came off the over. At the halfway mark, Pakistan are 76 for 1.

FOUR! Shehzad gets low and slogs it to the long on fence.

After 9 overs,Pakistan 66/1 ( Ahmed Shehzad 36 , Babar Azam 3)

Shehzad clears his front leg to slog across the line, but makes a late decision and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a couple. This was the only way a wicket could fall, wasn’t it? Zaman gets out at the non striker’s end. Ball three, four, five: 1, 1, 1. Shehzad almost fell because of his laziness. The fielder score a direct hit at the non striker’s end, but the batsman made his ground.

OUT! Would you believe it? Unfortunate way to lose a wicket. Shehzad checked his drive and Sammy got his finger tips to the ball and parried it to the stumps. To Zaman’s dismay, he found himself short of his crease. Pakistan lose first wicket. Zaman out for 27.

Just eight runs coming off the last two overs and now falls Fakhar, an unlucky dismissal as Shehzad tried punching that past Sammy to no avail. The momemtum shifts towards the away team as the top scorer of the series joins the action.

Pakistan is off to a good start again but the batsmen aren’t really setting the world on fire despite their aggressive intent. In the past, Pakistan batsmen have been guilty of looking clueless when they aren’t getting a boundary ball. In all three T20s, one batsman seems to get stuck if he is not able to get the boundaries. In T20s, it’s not the worst option to hit out or get out if you are not feeling fluent in the middle. Some batsmen are experts in reading the game situations, but when that’s not the case, dressing room needs to be more proactive and let the batsman know exactly what is expected from him.

After 8 overs,Pakistan 59/0 ( Fakhar Zaman 27 , Ahmed Shehzad 32)

Tahir flights it outside off, Zaman guides it to short third man for a single. The leggie pitches the ball two full and on off, Shehzad prods forward and defends it. A full delivery again and Shehzad bunts it to long on. One run taken. Zaman gives himself room to go over covers, Tahir sees that and bowls it the leg side, the southpaw drills it to long on for a single. Shehzad collects a brace and single off the final two deliveries.

After 7 overs,Pakistan 53/0 ( Fakhar Zaman 25 , Ahmed Shehzad 28)

Faf introduces Sammy into the attack. Can he break the threatening opening stand? Shehzad gets off strike on the first ball, Zaman does the same on the third. Frugal over this, Sammy bowls three consecutive dots to Shehzad.

There seems to be a clear ploy from Shehzad to be the aggressor in the pair although Fakhar can not be blamed for lack of trying. The left hander has just been deprived of any room. However, Ahmed is making full use of his range of shots.

After 6 overs,Pakistan 51/0 ( Fakhar Zaman 24 , Ahmed Shehzad 27)

Pakistan have made full use of the final over of Powerplay. To start with, it was Shehzad who made full use of a nothing delivery and glanced it to fine leg. And then Zaman used the extension of his arms to send the white object over third man for a six. Thirteen came off the over and also the 50-run stand.

SIX! Outrageous shot! Perera bounces the southpaw and line is outside off, Zaman fancies the room and cuts it over third man to score the first maximum of the night.

FOUR! Shehzad glances the first ball to the fine leg fence.

After 5 overs,Pakistan 38/0 ( Fakhar Zaman 17 , Ahmed Shehzad 21)

Cutting is in. Starts with a back of a length delivery, Zaman blocks it. Zaman is frustrated and looks to slog one over mid on, but only mistimes to the fielder there. Again, comes down the ground and miscues it to short fine. Backs away far too much on the fourth and pulls it to backward square leg for a couple. Cutting, once again, follows Zaman and the southpaw wrists in front of square on the leg side. Single taken. Shehzad top edges the last ball but falls in no man’s area. Four off the over.

Excellent bowling by Morkel, after the first delivery in the previous over. He hardly gave any room to the batsmen to swing their arms.

After 4 overs,Pakistan 34/0 ( Fakhar Zaman 14 , Ahmed Shehzad 20)

Shehzad creams one through covers for his fourth boundary. Ominous sign this for World XI. Clips ball two to the leg side for a quick single. Morkel keeps Zaman on strike on the third and fourth delivery. On the fifth, Zaman opens the face of the bat and guides it towards point for a run. Yikes! Shehzad pushes one to covers and calls for a run before pulling out at the last minute. Zaman sees that and makes his ground in time. Luckily, there was no fielder positioned, otherwise Zaman would’ve been in danger.

This one is an interesting battle; Fakhar is revelled for his six hitting ability in the domestic circuit. The mid-wicket region being an area he peppers with sixes when on song. It will be interesting to see whether he takes that option again given he got out LBW in the last game going for the slog sweep in the last game.

Pakistan is off to a flier again courtesy some freebies from World XI opening bowlers. As a fast bowler, you are bound to be a bit stiff playing your third competitive game in four days and it showed as the generally accurate Morne Morkel served two leg stump half volleys first up to Ahmed Shehzad who duly dispatched them for consecutive boundaries. Before him, Samuel Badree took first turn to roll his arm over and was guilty of bowling too short letting both Shehzad and Zaman take a toll.

FOUR! Morkel bowls it short, Ahmed rides the bounce and crunches it through covers.

After 3 overs,Pakistan 28/0 ( Fakhar Zaman 13 , Ahmed Shehzad 15)

Badree continues. Loops it around off and Zaman bunts it back to the bowler. Slides this through slightly slow, Zaman tries to sweep but gets rapped on the pads. World XI appeal but height was the issue. The third ball is outside off and Zaman leaves it alone. Releases the pressure with a slog over covers for a boundary. Works the fifth delivery round the corner for a run. Shehzad on strike for the last ball: Badree flights it around leg and Shehzad tickles it to short fine leg for a run.

FOUR! Zaman skips down the track and lofts it over covers.

After 2 overs,Pakistan 22/0 ( Fakhar Zaman 8 , Ahmed Shehzad 14)

Morkel starts with a full delivery on the legs and Shehzad flicks it comfortably through midwicket. Action replay, Shehzad flicks another delivery to the midwicket fence. The third ball is short and aroung leg, Shehzad looks to tuck but it goes off the pads towards short fine leg. The batsmen cross through. Zaman punches the fourth delivery to mid off. From around the wicket, Morkel bowls a good length delivery around middle, Zaman blocks it and it almost goes off the inside half of the bat towards the stumps. But Zaman is aware and defuses the threat. The southpaw looks to push the last ball through covers, but it takes the inside edge and rolls towards midwicket. Single taken.

The batsmen

Pakistan intend to setup a target close to 200 as Faf puts the home team in; banking on their strength as Sammy comes back into the team.

Amla looks like a man in form, or arguable his usual self, with Tamim getting a couple of fruitful starts, augers for a dangerous opening pair for the World XI. The sides will be supplemented by big hitters down the order in the South African David Miller and the Man of the Match in the last game; Thisara Perera, who reminded everyone why he is a top choice for teams around the T20 circuit.

Pakistan will be relying heavily on Shoaib Malik and Babar Azam, the latter being the top scorer in the series so far and associated with high hopes of taking up the mantle of the back bone in this Pakistani batting lineup. Imad has been sent up the order in both games to provide the flourish to the finish but the home side seem to be a hitter short. It will be interesting to see if Faheem makes it back having just faced a delivery in the first game.

FOUR! Similar delivery, better shot! This time the ball races away to the fence in no time. Great start this for Pakistan.

FOUR! Morkel errs and pitches it up, Shehzad accepts the gift and clips it to the deep midwicket fence.

Morne Morkel to bowl from the other end.

After 1 overs,Pakistan 12/0 ( Fakhar Zaman 7 , Ahmed Shehzad 5)

Zaman eases ball one to long on for a single. Slower through the air and outside off is the second ball, defended watchfully by Shehzad. Goes flat and outside off, cut through covers. The fourth ball is on the shorter side and on middle, Ahmed rocks back and nudges it through midwicket. Single taken. Poor delivery! Very short and duly punished to the deep midwicket fence by Zaman. On the final delivery, Zaman lofts it over mid off, doesn’t connect it well, but collects two. Fruitful over, 12 off it.

FOUR! Nothing delivery. Short and asking to be punished. Zaman pulls it to deep midwicket.

Morne Morkel, the only specialist fast bowler in the World XI side, was a familiar towering figure conceding just 20 runs from his quota of four in the 2nd T20. His contribution on the field for the touring team is vital and his figures will dictate what kind of a score Pakistan will churn up. Badree’s inclusion in the last game alongside Imran Tahir augmented the bowling attack and gave it variety on a flat track so the two will have a say in the game.

For Pakistan, Hassan Ali makes a comeback as Sohail is replaced; the latter’s penultimate over going for 20 runs in the last game. Shadab is expected to be his exciting self as he continues to produce deliveries which leave the fans awestruck. But the prospect which excites me the most is how Ruman, a wily death-bowler, bowls after Perera got the better of him in the last game to clinch it for the World XI.

FOUR! Flat and outside off, Shehzad makes room and cuts it through covers.

The Pakistan openers have arrived at the centre. Fakhar Zaman will take strike, Samuel Badree to bowl the first over. Here we go….

Whetting the appetite of Pakistani and International cricket fans the world over, Independence Cup serves the main course now as the series finale will decide who gets to lift the trophy. Tilling positivity and nostalgia; the fans could not have asked for a better culmination to the Independence Cup as an exhilarating encounter awaits between two sides that would want nothing short of a victory. 

Speaking at the post match conference after playing a brisk and elegant knock to help the World XI level the series in the second T20; Hashim Amla responded with affirmation to the observation that he has never heard his name chanted louder by an opposition crowd. There has been plenty of support for the International stars but it’s the must win nature of the game which puts the fans and players on the edge; the competitive edge in pursuit of quality cricket. Something the home crowd has been yearning for and here it comes.

Pakistan is batting first again at Lahore. The new pitch for this game again looks like a belter. Faf du Plessis will be keen on making use of dew factor that will make it easier to bat on as the game progresses. We may see a different crowd turn up at the ground today after having tasted defeat in the last game. There was a lot of goodwill for the visitors in the first two games, but too much of good will takes the sting out of the contest, hope to see a more partisan crowd today. Hasan Ali’s comeback a big plus for Pakistan. They missed his accuracy and variations in the death overs two nights ago.

World XI team: Tamim Iqbal, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, George Bailey, David Miller, Thisara Perera, Darren Sammy, Ben Cutting, Samuel Badree, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir

Sammy comes back and Tim Paine misses out. Suprisingly George Bailey will be keeping wickets!

Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Usman Khan, Rumman Raees.

Sohail Khan misses out and Hasan Ali replaces him.

Pakistan captain, Sarfraz Ahmed: We would try to bat first and put up a big one on the board. There was a problem with the execution in our last game and that was the issue. We shouldn’t set the target as 200 and need to assess the conditions and plan accordingly.

World XI captain, Faf du Plessis: We will bowl. It is a tough one. It looks like a good wicket. Sammy comes back in. I love to try and take wickets and keep thinking from the bowler’s perspective.

Toss update: World XI win the toss and opt to bowl.

Pommie Mbangwa at pitch inspection reckons that  the conditions are good, and there is no real change from the first two matches. Adds that the surface is dry, and expectation would be that it will not change.

We’re less than 15 minutes away from the toss.

Do stay tuned.

Last match
Big day
See you all very soon pic.twitter.com/L5lw2Hwqo2

— Thisara perera (@PereraThisara) September 15, 2017

Pakistan vs World XI: Hosts need to rejig playing team and step up in final T20I to win Independence Cuphttp://www.firstpost.com

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of the third T20I between Pakistan and World XI at Lahore. Thanks to remarkable knocks from Hashim Amla and Thisara Perera, the visitors edged hosts in the second match to level the series. Goes without saying, the third fixture is a must-win. While, Pakistan looked short of ideas in the bowling department, World XI still have to solve their top order issues. What was interesting in Wednesday’s clash was David Miller didn’t get to bat. We will have to wait and see whether Tim Paine, who has struggled so far, is dropped and whether Faf du Plessis bats up the order. Toss and team updates coming up shortly, follow our blog to catch all the updates.