PNC VS EDC T20

Right. Pakistan Champions take two crucial points and begin their campaign on a positive note, while for England Champions, it was the classic case of so close, yet so far. That wraps up the curtain raiser of WCL Season 2, and the stage is now set for a blockbuster weekend. A high-octane double-header awaits on Saturday, 19th July, starting at 5 pm IST (11.30 am GMT). First up, the West Indies Champions go head-to-head with the South Africa Champions in the afternoon clash. And come evening, it’s time for cricket’s fiercest rivalry. England Champions will be back in action and will take on Australia Champions in the iconic white-ball Ashes battle. Do not forget to mark your presence for our pre-match buildup and analysis. Till then, goodbye, take care!

The victorious captain of Pakistan Champions, Mohammad Hafeez, is also the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant knock of 54 off 34. He reflects that it was hard work as the situation wasn't great for them earlier. Feels fantastic with the way they fought and the way they summed up the situation. Says there was something for the seamers, as there was a bit of spongy bounce. Appreciates Rumman Raees for doing well with the ball. On him not taking the field in the second innings, he informs that he had a bit of back spasm, so he decided to stay out. Also says that Shoaib Malik did a great job as a leader in his absence. Ends by mentioning that the bowlers replied nicely to the challenges.

The captain of England Champions, Eoin Morgan, says that the bowlers did a good job overall, using the extra bit of pace and consistent bounce on offer. Adds that the wicket played well, and the pacers made the most of the conditions. Mentions that Ryan Sidebottom was a bit under the weather, which resulted in James Vince bowling the final over. Feels that they let themselves down with the bat and could not get going early enough in the chase. Believes it is still early days in the tournament and hopes this result puts them in good stead moving forward. Jokingly says that a couple of players have already hit the ice bath as part of recovery for Saturday’s game and hopes that a good night's sleep will serve them well.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the game, England Champions won the toss and put Pakistan in to bat. It was a shaky start for them despite the decent batting conditions, which offered some seam and bounce. They slipped to 33/2 in the Powerplay, losing both openers early. England kept the pressure on and further reduced them to 60/4 by the halfway mark. Mohammad Hafeez anchored the innings with a stylish fifty, but wickets kept tumbling at the other end. The impact player couldn’t do much either. Late cameos from Sohail Tanvir and Aamer Yamin gave the innings a much-needed propulsion and helped push the total to 160, which looked a bridge too far at one point. Every England bowler chipped in with at least one wicket, while Chris Tremlett and Liam Plunkett bagged two each.

James Vince, too, departed early, and with two experienced heads already gone, England slipped into a tricky spot. Boundaries dried up and the required rate kept creeping up. Phil Mustard and Ian Bell then steadied things with a composed partnership, keeping hopes alive. But the scoring didn't get that required surge, and just as England looked poised to push ahead, Sohail Tanvir struck, removing Mustard for 58. However, Ian Bell and Eoin Morgan kept the flame of their hopes ignited and took the game to the wire with the former notching a stylish fifty. And with 16 needed off the last over, it was still a cliffhanger, but due to Sohail Khan's pinpoint bowling, Pakistan managed to get through the line. And not to forget the way Rumman Raees bowled earlier, conceding just 14 runs off his 4 overs with a crucial wicket of Alastair Cook.

England were after a brisk start in the chase, and Phil Mustard delivered with a few crisp strokes. The ball was moving around early doors, and Pakistan's seamers made good use of it. Alastair Cook struggled to settle in and eventually fell to a beauty from Rumman Raees. Still, the hosts edged ahead in the Powerplay, finishing at 41/1, comfortably ahead of Pakistan’s 33/2 at the same point.

What a sensational bowling display from Sohail Khan! After conceding a boundary on the first delivery of the last over, he just conceded five singles and a wide, constantly firing those yorkers. Pakistan Champions have beaten England Champions by 5 runs, but at one stage, Pakistan did feel the heat when Ian Bell switched the gears. A tough result for England, especially after coming this close to a win. A game of razor-thin margins, they say. Quite truly said.

Sohail Khan, you beauty! Nailed the last few balls to perfection and has sealed the win for Pakistan Champions. Sohail executes the yorker, on middle, Bell jams it out to square leg for one. Pakistan win by 5 runs and get their campaign off to a winning start!

Aakash Chopra on-air mentions that if the match ends in a tie, there won't be a Super Over. Rather it will be a Bowl Out.

Superb stuff! The yorker is nailed by Sohail Khan, right in the blockhole, on middle, Morgan walks across but flicks it through square leg for a single. With 7 needed off the final ball, England need 6 to take the game to a Bowl Out.

Pace on, full and wide on off, Ian Bell gets the width he needs but he fails to put it away. Drills it hard but does not manage to get it wide enough of deep cover. With this single, Bell gets to his FIFTY. England need 8 runs off 2 balls.

Great change of pace from Khan! Back-of-the-hand slower one, on a back of a length, pushed across the left-hander, Eoin Morgan drags it in front of square on the leg side for just a single. England need 9 off 3 balls.

Better from Sohail Khan! Gets it right in the blockhole, on off, Ian Bell is unabkle to get under it and digs it out to long on for a single.

Wide! Leg-cutter attempted by Khan and it is bowled into the wicket. The line is down leg and Bell has a swing at it but misses. England need 11 runs off 5 balls.

FOUR! A good start to the final over for England! Fractionally wide on off, on a good length, Ian Bell stays leg side of the ball and cuts it hard to the right of backward point for a boundary.

Sohail Khan (1-0-11-0) to bowl the final over with England needing 16 runs to win! Remember, Pakistan managed to score 22 runs in the final over of the first innings. Can Ian Bell do the job for his side?