England beat Pakistan to win T20 World Cup at MCG as Ben Stokes stars yet again in a final | Cricket News

Ben Stokes starred in a final once again as England became dual white-ball world champions after overcoming Pakistan by five wickets to win the T20 World Cup at the MCG.

Jos Buttler’s side added the T20 trophy to the 50-over silverware they had lifted in dramatic style at Lord’s in 2019 and are now the first men’s team to hold both titles simultaneously.

Stokes played an instrumental role in the run chase three and a half years ago and was at the heart of matters once again with his unbeaten 52 propelling England to their target of 138 with an over spare on a spicy pitch.

England were reduced to 45-3 inside the powerplay as openers Alex Hales (1) and Buttler (26 off 17) – so destructive in the 10-wicket demolition of India in Thursday’s semi-final – and Phil Salt (10 off 9) were dismissed and were 84-4 in the 13th over once Harry Brook (20) was brilliantly caught at long-off by Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Shaheen injured himself taking that grab and subsequently pulled up one ball into the 16th over – with Stokes then clubbing his replacement, off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed, for four and six off successive balls to reduced the requirement 28 from 24 balls and England would not be denied, with the wicket of Moeen Ali (19 off 13) coming too late for Pakistan.

Stokes clinched his first international T20 half-century with the four that levelled the scores, before hauling the winning single through the leg-side.

More to follow.