England secured a 2-0 victory in the rain-affected Vitality T20 international series with Pakistan after Phil Salt hit 46 to guide them to a seven-wicket win at the Kia Oval.
Jos Buttler and Salt put on 82 for the first wicket, which included 25 runs off Naseem Shah’s second over, to put the hosts in total control before Jonny Bairstow finished the job with 28 not out to help England successfully chase down 158.
It ensured Matthew Mott’s defending champions head to the Caribbean for the T20 World Cup after a much-needed series win, and the catalyst for this triumph in south London was an excellent team bowling display.
Mark Wood impressed in his first white-ball appearance since November with a two-wicket haul and partnered the fit-again Jofra Archer, who crucially dismissed Babar Azam for 36.
Adil Rashid was arguably the star of the show in the field though after he picked up two for 27 and claimed two catches, while Liam Livingstone also produced an excellent double-wicket maiden to bowl out Pakistan for 157, which was always below-par.
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