Buttler’s brilliance propel England to victory over Pakistan
BIRMINGHAM: England captain Jos Buttler smashed a scintillating 84 off 51 balls, leading his team to a 23-run victory over Pakistan in the second T20I at Edgbaston on Saturday. This performance not only secured a win for England but also set the tone for the four-match series, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Buttler’s innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, featuring three sixes and eight fours. His knock provided a solid foundation for England, who posted a challenging target of 184. Contributions from Will Jacks (37) and Jonny Bairstow (21) supported Buttler’s effort, although the team couldn’t fully capitalize on the strong start given by their captain.
The match also marked the long-awaited return of fast bowler Jofra Archer to international cricket. Making his first appearance for England in 14 months, and his first on home soil since 2020, Archer showcased his talent despite a shaky start. After conceding 15 runs in his first over, he bounced back impressively to finish with figures of 2 for 28. Archer’s performance, highlighted by his ability to claim crucial wickets, underscored his potential value for England’s squad in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies.
“I thought Jofra Archer was brilliant,” Buttler commented. “You could see his emotion taking wickets for England again but we need to temper those expectations because he’s not going to be the same straight away. I’m really pleased with the whole bowling group.”
The bowlers complemented Buttler’s batting heroics, with Moeen Ali striking early to remove Muhammad Rizwan in the first over. Reece Topley also shone, claiming three wickets for 41 runs, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s inability to chase down the target.
