A complete bowling performance, following Jos Buttler's 84, helped England take a 1-0 lead in the four-match T20I series against Pakistan. Put in to bat in Birmingham after a washout in Leeds earlier this week, captain Buttler headlined England's 183/7, which seemed sub-par at the halfway mark after a death-overs meltdown. Pakistan, however, had a poor start to the chase and slipped up again on the other side of the half-century stand between Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam to be shot down for 160 in 19.2 overs.

Where the Game Was Won

England's total, despite late-innings struggles, proved sufficient due to a stellar bowling display. Pakistan's early collapse and inability to maintain partnerships cost them the chase.

England Innings

PowerPlay: Openers Depart, Buttler Steadies the Ship

• Score: 53/1 [RR: 8.83, 4s/6s: 5/4]
• England openers smacked three boundaries off Shaheen Afridi.
• Imad struck with his first ball to remove Phil Salt for 13.
• Will Jacks and Buttler forged a vital 71-run partnership.

Middle Overs: Momentum Shift

• Score: 77/2 [RR: 8.56, 4s/6s: 3/4]
• Jacks and Buttler kept the scoring rate up, but Rauf broke the partnership.
• Buttler continued to find boundaries, supported by Bairstow's 21 off 18.

Death Overs: Pakistan Fight Back

• Score: 39/5 [RR: 7.80, 4s/6s: 2/3]
• Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf claimed quick wickets.
• England collapsed from 164/4 to 169/7 before Jofra Archer's late hits took them to 183/7.

Pakistan Innings

PowerPlay: Early Collapse

• Score: 55/2 [RR: 9.17, 4s/6s: 8/1]
• Mohammad Rizwan fell for a duck to Moeen Ali.
• Saim Ayub was caught trying to pull Reece Topley.

Middle Overs: Zaman's Fightback

• Score: 73/3 [RR: 7.30, 4s/6s: 5/2]
• Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam built a half-century stand.
• Moeen Ali trapped Babar LBW on 32, and Zaman continued to fight with big hits.

Death Overs: England Seals the Victory

• Score: 32/5 [RR: 6.40, 4s/6s: 0/2]
• Pakistan's lower order tried to counterattack but fell short.
• Iftikhar Ahmed and Imad Wasim's quick runs were not enough.
• England's bowlers, led by Archer and Topley, cleaned up the tail.

Brief Scores

• England: 183/7 in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 84, Will Jacks 37; Shaheen Afridi 3-36, Imad Wasim 2-19)
• Pakistan: 160 all out in 19.2 overs (Fakhar Zaman 45, Babar Azam 32; Moeen Ali 2-26, Reece Topley 3-41, Jofra Archer 2-28)

Conclusion

England's comprehensive bowling performance ensured a 23-run victory over Pakistan, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Despite a promising start from Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, Pakistan fell short, succumbing to England's disciplined attack.

What Next?

The teams will head into the second T20I with England looking to extend their lead and Pakistan aiming to bounce back.