Pakistan vs England LIVE: T20 cricket result and final score as England complete chase after Alex Hales’ 53

It has been 17 years since England last toured Pakistan with various series being cancelled during that time for security reasons and concerns over players physical and mental health. Just last year the ECB pulled out of touring the country – citing security reasons - causing Pakistan Cricket Board chair Ramiz Raja to call them out for failing to help a ‘member of their cricket fraternity.’ The year previously Pakistan had toured England in bio-secured bubbles, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, to help ease the financial burden on the ECB.

That England should fail to reciprocate such an endeavour did not sit well with the PCB but negotiations were rekindled and a new tour was planned. Originally England would play two T20 men’s and women’s doubleheaders with the women’s team staying on for three ODIs but that has changed into a seven-match men’s-only T20I series with the first game being played today ahead of the T20 World Cup in Oct/Nov.

According to captain Jos Buttler, England have also donated a five-figure sum to the Disasters Emergency Committee to help the areas of Pakistan devastated by recent floods. Buttler himself is sitting out the first part of the tour due to calf injury and Moeen Ali will lead the team. This series is set to be exciting, historic and should provide both sides with strong preparation for next month’s World Cup.

Follow the action as Pakistan host England for the first time in 17 years:

Pakistan vs England T20

• 100 UP! Usman Qadir bowls out but England work him away to bring up their 100

• Wicket! Ben Duckett 21(17) lbw b. Usman, England 87-3 (10.5)

• Wicket! Dawid Malan 20(15) c&b. Usman, England 53-2 (6.2)

• 50 UP! Malan takes Usman for six to bring up England’s fifty! Eng 53-1 (6.1)

• Wicket! Phil Salt 10(10) c. Haider b. Dahani, England 19-1 (2.3)

• Pakistan finish with 158-7 off 20 overs, England require 159 runs to win

• Moeen Ali captains England in first of seven T20s and elects to bowl first

• England touring Pakistan for first time in 17 years

England win by 6 wickets!

18:57 , Michael Jones

Alex Hales scored 53 from 40 balls to bring England to the brink of victory in the first T20 against Pakistan. England move 1-0 up in the seven game series.

England win by 6 wickets!

18:54 , Michael Jones

A fine knock of 53 from Alex Hales set up England’s run chase which was suitably finished off by Harry Brook who ends the innings 42 not out.

Hales will take the headlines but Brook’s knock provided England with some much needed momentum at a crucial time.

England 160-4 (19.2), Brook 42, Moeen 7, Dahani 1-38 (3.2), England require 159 runs to win

18:52 , Michael Jones

Dot ball first up from Shahnawaz Dahani...

... four runs! Harry Brook smokes another low full toss over cover and England win the game!

They win the first T20 by 6 wickets.

England 156-4 (19), Brook 38, Moeen 7, Rauf 1-23 (4), England require 159 runs to win

18:50 , Michael Jones

Harry Brook and Moeen Ali pick out the gaps and collect three more runs from Haris Rauf’s final five balls.

Just three runs required from the final over.

England 153-4 (18.1), Brook 36, Moeen 6, Rauf 1-20 (3.1), England require 159 runs to win

18:47 , Michael Jones

Beautiful touch from Harry Brook with guides the ball down to third man for four runs to bring up England’s 150! Just six more runs needed to win.

England 149-4 (18), Brook 32, Moeen 6, Naseem 0-41 (4), England require 159 runs to win

18:45 , Michael Jones

Moeen sits back in his crease and drills a low full toss from Naseem Shah through the offside for four runs.

Two more singles come from the over and England require 10 runs to win.

England 143-4 (17), Brook 31, Moeen 1, Rauf 1-16 (3), England require 159 runs to win

18:43 , Michael Jones

England’s captain, Moeen Ali, is the new batter and he’s off the mark with an edge that bounces short of the wicketkeeper who spills it alloowing Harry Brook to scramble through for one.

England need 16 from 18 balls.

Wicket! Alex Hales 53(40) c. Babar b, Rauf, England 142-4 (16.4)

18:41 , Michael Jones

Hales is gone! Perhaps still living off the adrenaline of bringing up his fifty Hales attempts to smash the next ball out of the ground but the ball arrives quickly and he ends up spooning it to Babar Azam.

England 142-3 (16.3), Brook 31, Hales 53, Rauf 0-15 (2.3), England require 159 runs to win

18:39 , Michael Jones

50! Alex Hales’ return to the England team sees him bring up his fifty with a hook shot. The ball catches his gloves and flies down to the fine leg boundary for four runs!

He’s got 53 from 39 balls.

England 138-3 (16.2), Brook 31, Hales 49, Rauf 0-11 (2.2), England require 159 runs to win

18:38 , Michael Jones

Haris Rauf has been one of Pakistan’s best bowlers tonight but he’s facing an uphill battle here. Hales pulls him away for one to bring up the 50 run partnership before Brook guides one to fine leg for another single.

England 136-3 (16), Brook 30, Hales 48, Naseem 0-35 (3), England require 159 runs to win

18:36 , Michael Jones

Naseem Shah is introduced back into the attack and he needs to get Pakistan a wicket. Harry Brook puts him under pressure off the first delivery though and smokes a hook shot over to the square leg boundary for four!

Brook gets off strike and Hales continues his good form by slicing a back foot punch through extra cover for another four.

The over ends with Harry Brook lifting a drive over the in-field for a one bounce four!

England require 23 from 24 balls.

England 122-3 (15), Brook 21, Hales 43, Dahani 1-34 (3), England require 159 runs to win

18:31 , Michael Jones

Four! Smart work from Harry Brook who gets low and ramps Shahnawaz Dahani over fine leg for a boundary first up.

There are a couple of singles - one each for Brook and Hales - before Brook swings heavily and gets an outside edge through to third man for four more!

Hales then spanks the final ball of the over past the fielder at mid-off and finds the boundary as well.

37 needed from 30 balls.

England 107-3 (14), Brook 11, Hales 38, Nawaz 0-20 (4), England require 159 runs to win

18:26 , Michael Jones

Both of Pakistan’s primary spinners have bowled their allotted overs. England still require 52 off 36 balls.

Six overs to go.

England 102-3 (13), Brook 8, Hales 36, Usman 2-36 (4), England require 159 runs to win

18:22 , Michael Jones

Usman Qadir is going to bowl out. Hales and Brook don’t seem to want to take many risks against him and work him either side of the wicket for three singles.

Brook then dances down the track and smokes a full toss over Usman’s head for four runs!

Hales cuts the last ball of the over away too and England bring up their 100!

England 93-3 (12), Brook 2, Hales 32, Nawaz 0-15 (3), England require 159 runs to win

18:19 , Michael Jones

There’s a run out opportunity as the ball comes back to bowler Mohammad Nawaz whose back is to the stumps. He releases the ball blindly and quickly but misses with his throw and Harry Brook can scramble home.

England 87-2 (11), Brook 0, Hales 29, Usman 2-26 (3), England require 159 runs to win

18:17 , Michael Jones

Harry Brook blocks his first ball to end Usman Qadir’s third over. The spinner has two wickets now and is keeping England at bay. The fate of this game probably rests with Alex Hales now, if he bats through England should win.

Wicket! Ben Duckett 21(17) lbw b. Usman, England 87-3 (10.5)

18:15 , Michael Jones

Duckett has to go! He reverse sweeps one over extra cover for four runs and tries to do the same again. He misses his second attempt and the ball rattles into his pads right in front of middle stump.

Umpire Aleem Dar raises the finger and Duckett decides to review but it’s plum.

England 83-2 (10.3), Duckett 17, Hales 29, Usman 1-22 (2.3), England require 159 runs to win

18:13 , Michael Jones

Dropped! How costly will this prove to be? After a couple of singles from Usman Qadir’s third over, Alex Hales attempts a slog sweep and spanks the ball straight down the throat of Shan Masood who spills it in the outfield!

It’s a reprieve for Alex Hales.

England 80-2 (10), Duckett 16, Hales 27, Rauf 0-9 (2), England require 159 runs to win

18:08 , Michael Jones

Six runs come from Rauf’s second over. The right-arm seamer is bowling fantastically, he’s gone for just nine runs from his two overs.

Duckett works the last ball of the over away for a couple with a pull shot down to fine leg.

At the halfway stage England are 80-2 and require a further 79 runs from 60 balls to win.

England 76-2 (9.3), Duckett 13, Hales 27, Rauf 0-6 (1.3), England require 159 runs to win

18:05 , Michael Jones

Rauf continues for Pakistan and England continue to milk him away from singles. England need 83 to win off 63 balls.

England 73-2 (9), Duckett 12, Hales 25, Usman 1-19 (2), England require 159 runs to win

18:03 , Michael Jones

Duckett is consistent. He’s tried to reverse sweep every second delivery from Usman and the final ball of the over sees him get a thick edge over the top of the wicketkeeper and the ball runs away for four runs.

England 66-2 (8.3), Duckett 6, Hales 24, Usman 1-12 (1.3), England require 159 runs to win

18:01 , Michael Jones

Hales and Duckett work Usman away for three singles off his first three deliveries. Singles are okay as long as England also pick up a boundary every over.

England 63-2 (8), Duckett 4, Hales 23, Naseem 0-21 (2), England require 159 runs to win

17:59 , Michael Jones

At the end of Naseem’s second over England need 96 off 72 deliveries. Alex Hales is well set but Ben Duckett is still trying to find his feet at the crease.

England 61-2 (7.3), Duckett 3, Hales 22, Naseem 0-19 (1.3), England require 159 runs to win

17:58 , Michael Jones

Four! Alex Hales belts Naseem Shah over to the offside boundary with another blazing cut shot. That just may get England going again after the wicket of Dawid Malan.

Naseem Shah has been expensive so far.

England 56-2 (7), Duckett 2, Hales 18, Usman 1-9 (1), England require 159 runs to win

17:56 , Michael Jones

Ben Duckett is England’s new batter and he’s immediately off the mark. Three more runs come from Usman Qadir’s first opener. Things are a little tense now, England could do with a partnership to ease the pressure.

Wicket! Dawid Malan 20(15) c&b. Usman, England 53-2 (6.2)

17:54 , Michael Jones

Gone! Dawid Malan attempts to follow him his six with another huge stroke but can only edge the ball back to Usman Qadir who takes an easy catch.

England 53-1 (6.1), Malan 20, Hales 17, Usman 0-6 (0.1), England require 159 runs to win

17:51 , Michael Jones

Usman Qadir is brought on by Babar Azam and Dawid Malan spanks a full toss straight down the ground for England’s first six of the innings!

That shot brings up England’s fifty too!

England 47-1 (6), Malan 14, Hales 17, Rauf 0-3 (1), England require 159 runs to win

17:49 , Michael Jones

Excellent bowling from Haris Rauf who only concedes three runs from his first over. England end the powerplay on 47-1. They need 112 runs of 84 balls to win the game.

England 44-1 (5.3), Malan 12, Hales 16, Rauf 0-0 (0.3), England require 159 runs to win

17:47 , Michael Jones

Haris Rauf comes into the attack to bowl the final over of the powerplay. He targets the stumps of Alex Hales but the batter gets off strike with a leg-bye.

Malan then attempts to smoke Rauf over midwicket but misses the ball completely. This is a good start from the quick bowler.

England 43-1 (5), Malan 12, Hales 16, Dahani 1-19 (2), England require 159 runs to win

17:44 , Michael Jones

Four! Dawid Malan kick starts his innings by slogging Dahani over to the legside to collect his first boundary of the innings.

And again!

This time Malan plays it late and guides the ball fine through third man for the second four of the over.

England 35-1 (4.3), Malan 4, Hales 16, Dahani 1-11 (1.3), England require 159 runs to win

17:41 , Michael Jones

Four overs of the powerplay gone and England are 33-1. Dahani will continue for Pakistan after his wicket in the previous over.

Dawid Malan fends at a good lengthed delivery that goes across his body. He misses the ball but it comes close to the outside edge.

Just two runs come from the first three deliveries.

England 32-1 (3.3), Malan 2, Hales 15, Nawaz 0-9 (1.3), England require 159 runs to win

17:38 , Michael Jones

Nawaz continues and Malan works him away for one run to bring Hales back on strike. The fielders are deep straight down the pitch so Hales backs away and cuts Nawaz through cover for four runs.

He tries to do the same again but doesn’t connect as well. A misfield brings the England opener three more runs.

England 24-1 (3), Malan 1, Hales 8, Dahani 1-9 (1), England require 159 runs to win

17:35 , Michael Jones

Dawid Malan comes in at three for England and gets off the mark with a single leaving Alex Hales one ball of the voer to face.

Dahani sends it wide and Hales spanks him off the back foot for four runs through the offside.

Nine runs and a wicket from the over.

Wicket! Phil Salt 10(10) c. Haider b. Dahani, England 19-1 (2.3)

17:33 , Michael Jones

England lose their first wicket! Shahnawaz Dahani pulls his length back and angles a short ball down the legside.

Phil Salt absolutely smokes a hook shot over to the square leg boundary but Haider Ali clings on to a brilliant catch and maintains his balance to avoid falling over the ropes.

Salt cannot believe it.

England 19-0 (2.2), Salt 10, Hales 4, Dahani 0-4 (0.2), England require 159 runs to win

17:30 , Michael Jones

Shahnawaz Dahani replaces Naseem Shah and is welcomed with Phil Salt belting him back down the ground for four runs! This is a great shot over mid-off and the England opener is looking good.

England 15-0 (2), Salt 6, Hales 4, Nawaz 0-1 (1), England require 159 runs to win

17:28 , Michael Jones

Fantastic over from Mohammad Nawaz! Just one run comes from it with that being a single for Phil Salt.

It’s still a decent start from England.

England 14-0 (1.3), Salt 5, Hales 4, Nawaz 0-0 (0.3), England require 159 runs to win

17:27 , Michael Jones

Babr Azam throws the ball to Mohammad Nawaz who is a slow left-arm bowler. It’s a good call from the Pakistan captain as playing spin is more difficult on this pitch.

Nawaz’s first three balls to Phil Salt yield no runs.

England 14-0 (1), Salt 5, Hales 4, Naseem 0-14 (1), England require 159 runs to win

17:25 , Michael Jones

Slap! Alex Hales is away with a cut through point for four runs!

14 runs come from the first over, brilliant start for England.

England 10-0 (0.2), Salt 5, Hales 0, Naseem 0-10 (0.2), England require 159 runs to win

17:23 , Michael Jones

Four runs! What a start from Phil Salt who leans into a drive and smokes the first ball of the innings through cover to pick up his first boundary.

Naseem Shah gets the next ball to lift and a thick edge flies down to third man for a single.

Naseem’s third delivery is wayward and he fires it down the legside, it’s too far for Mohammad Rizwan to get too and rolls away to the boundary for another four runs.

England 0-0 (0), Salt 0, Hales 0, Naseem 0-0 (0), England require 159 runs to win

17:20 , Michael Jones

Phil Salt and Alex Hales will open the batting for England and they’ll try to captalise on the powerplay. 19-year-old Naseem Shah will bowl the first over.

England require 159 runs to win

17:18 , Michael Jones

England leg-spinner Adil Rashid speaking to Sky Sports during the interval: “It was a slightly helpful wicket. I thought we bowled exceptionally well to restrict them after the start they got. We are quite happy with that.

“We know what we’re trying to do as a game plan, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. People do their homework and know what they need to bowl to certain players.”

England require 159 runs to win

17:15 , Michael Jones

It was a fantastic comeback from England after Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam put on 85 for the first wicket. Moeen Ali’s side need 159 runs to win the first T20 of the series.

End of innings: Pakistan 158-7 (20), Usman 0, Khushdil 5, Wood 3-24 (4)

17:12 , Michael Jones

That’s the end of the innings! Pakistan scramble to 158 from their 20 overs after a fine display from Luke Wood to close out the innings.

Adil Rashid was fantastic through the middle of the innings as well. England will be the happier of the two camps at the halfway point.

Wicket! Naseem Shah 0(1) c. Curran b. Wood, Pakistan 157-7 (19.4)

17:09 , Michael Jones

Naseem Shah comes and goes trying to hit out and gets caught on the boundary by Sam Curran. Luke Wood has his third wicket!

Wicket! Iftikhar 28(17) c. Duckett b. Wood, Pakistan 156-6 (19.2)

17:07 , Michael Jones

No he can’t! A low full toss from Luke Wood is lofted into the outfield and Ben Duckett takes the catch on the boundary. Iftikhar has to go!

Pakistan 156-5 (19.1), Iftikhar 28, Khushdil 3, Wood 1-22 (3.1)

17:06 , Michael Jones

That’s huge! Iftikhar Ahmed bangs an off-cutter from Luke Wood straight down the ground for six runs! Can he do it again?

Pakistan 150-5 (19), Iftikhar 22, Khushdil 3, Curran 1-30 (4)

17:04 , Michael Jones

It’s a very good comeback from Sam Curran with three singles and two dot balls coming from the rest of the over. He finishes up with 1-30 from his four overs but Pakistan have brought up their 150!

Pakistan 147-5 (18.1), Iftikhar 20, Khushdil 2, Curran 1-27 (3.1)

17:01 , Michael Jones

Out of the ground! Moeen Ali throws the ball to Sam Curran for the penultimate over and he sends down a low full toss that Iftikhar Ahmed belts over the legside for six runs!

Poor from Curran but a good start to the over for Pakistan.

Pakistan 141-5 (18), Iftikhar 14, Khushdil 2, Wood 1-16 (3)

16:59 , Michael Jones

Luke Wood’s return to the attack is a good one. He’s bowling quickly but mixing it up with the odd slower ball and varying his lengths.

That’s tricky for the new batters to deal with. Four runs and a wicket from the over.

Wicket! Mohammad Nawaz 4(5) b. Wood, Pakistan 137-5 (17.1)

16:56 , Michael Jones

Got him! Luke Wood picks up his first wicket for England with a rapid delivery that shatters the stumps of Mohammad Nawaz as he looks to whip the ball over to the legside.

It’s a great moment of celebration for the Lancastrian bowler.

Pakistan 137-4 (17), Iftikhar 12, Nawaz 4, Willey 0-41 (4)

16:53 , Michael Jones

Willey’s allocation is done and he ends poorly with two wide down the legside to Mohammad Nawaz. It’s not been a great night for him.

Three overs to go. What will Pakistan finish up with?

Pakistan 132-4 (16.3), Iftikhar 11, Nawaz 2, Willey 0-36 (3.3)

16:51 , Michael Jones

Bang! David Willey bowls a floaty delivery on a good length and Iftikhar Ahmed lifts him down the ground for six! That’s a great shot from the batter who follows up with a swivel pull to get off strike.

Pakistan 125-4 (16), Iftikhar 4, Nawaz 2, Rashid 2-27 (4)

16:49 , Michael Jones

Adil Rashid finishes his four overs with figures of 2-27. His spell has put the halt on Pakistan’s blistering start but there’s still four overs to go.

Mohammad Nawaz is the new batter.

Wicket! Shan Masood 7(7) c. Gleeson b. Rashid, Pakistan 120-4 (15.1)

16:47 , Michael Jones

Shan Masood is out! He tries to reverse sweep Adil Rashid who’s been brought back for his final over. His timing is all wrong and Masood gets a thick edge and loops the ball to short third man where Richard Gleeson takes the catch.

Pakistan 120-3 (15), Iftikhar 1, Shan Masood 7, Moeen 1-23 (2)

16:45 , Michael Jones

Iftikhar Ahmed is the new batter and he picks up a single off Moeen Ali to get off the mark. Five over to go and England have clawed their way back into the game.

Wicket! Mohammad Rizwan 68(46) st. Salt b. Moeen, Pakistan 117-3 (14.4)

16:41 , Michael Jones

That’s the one England wanted! Mohammad Rizwan has to go! He dances down the pitch to work Moeen Ali through the offside but the England captain darts the ball in quicker and flatter.

Rizwan misses it and Phil Salt’s sharp work removes the bails for a stumping.

Pakistan 114-2 (14.1), Rizwan 66, Shan Masood 5, Moeen 0-17 (1.1)

16:40 , Michael Jones

Four runs! Masood steps outside his own leg stump and drives Moeen Ali away on the up. It’s a risky shot but he beats the in-field and not even Harry Brook’s valiant diving effort on the boundary can keep the ball from crossing the ropes.

There’s pressure on England’s captain now.

Pakistan 110-2 (14), Rizwan 66, Shan Masood 1, Curran 1-21 (3)

16:38 , Michael Jones

Debutant Shan Masood comes in at number four for Pakistan. He tries to smoke Sam Curran away with his first two deliveries but picks out the fielders.

The last ball is cut away and Masood is off the mark.

Wicket! Haider Ali 11(13) c. Willey b. Curran, Pakistan 109-2 (13.3)

16:36 , Michael Jones

Gone! Curran sends a fuller delivery swinging into the leg stump and Haider Ali looks to flick him away for six ove square leg. He doesn’t catch it properly and picks out David Willey in the deep who clings on to a regulation catch!

Pakistan 109-1 (13.2), Rizwan 66, Haider 11, Curran 0-20 (2.2)

16:34 , Michael Jones

After Rizwan lined-up Rashid in the last over Moeen Ali makes a change and brings Sam Curran back on. Curran is a little all over the place in terms of line but his length is just short of good and he’s worked either side of the wicket for two singles.

Pakistan 107-1 (13), Rizwan 65, Haider 10, Willey 0-29 (3)

16:31 , Michael Jones

Willey took some tap earlier on but his return is a good one. Just one run from the first four deliveries as he pushes the ball full and wide to the right-handed batters.

The last two deliveries only go for a single apiece and that’s just three runs from the over.

Well bowled David Willey.

Pakistan 104-1 (12), Rizwan 64, Haider 8, Rashid 1-22 (3)

16:28 , Michael Jones

Six! The release shot does come bu Mohammad Rizwan nails it over cow corner and clears the ropes. That’s a big hit from the Pakistan opener.

Two runs come from the rest of the over and the hundred is up for the hosts.

Pakistan 96-1 (11.3), Rizwan 57, Haider 7, Rashid 1-14 (2.3)

16:26 , Michael Jones

More singles for Pakistan and more tight bowling from Adil Rashid. There’s going to be a release shot soon, England’s boundary riders need to be ready for a potential catch.

Pakistan 93-1 (11), Rizwan 56, Haider 5, Gleeson 0-13 (2)

16:24 , Michael Jones

Just the six singles off Gleeson’s second over which is good going from the pace bowler. Nine over to go for Pakistan, when will they start to properly unleash.

They’ll be target 180-190 from here with nine wickets in hand surely.

Pakistan 90-1 (10.3), Rizwan 55, Haider 3, Gleeson 0-10 (1.3)

16:22 , Michael Jones

Richard Gleeson is back into the attack and gets worked into the legside for one by Mohammad Rizwan.

Haider Ali flat bats one to mid-on for another single before Rizwan whips a pull shot off the front foot to backward square leg. There’s a fielder there though and it’s only a single.

Good start from Gleeson on his return.

Pakistan 87-1 (10), Rizwan 53, Haider 2, Rashid 1-11 (2)

16:17 , Michael Jones

Haider Ali is the new batter for Pakistan and gets off the mark with a couple of runs through cover.

At the halfway point of the innings Pakistan are 87-1 with the momentum hanging in the balance. Two quick wickets for England could sway it their way.

Wicket! Babar Azam, 31(24) b. Rashid, Pakistan 85-1 (9.3)

16:15 , Michael Jones

There’s the breakthrough for England! Adil Rashid sends down a googly that spins back in towards Babar Azam who doesn’t pick it. He’s pinned on the back foot and the ball goes through the gate and bowls him!

Pakistan 81-0 (8.5), Rizwan 51, Babar 29, Moeen 0-11 (0.5)

16:12 , Michael Jones

Boom! Mohammad Rizwan brings up his 17th fifty in T20Is with a brilliant stroke down the ground for six! It’s the first maximum of the innings and Rizwan is well set now.

Pakistan 74-0 (8.3), Rizwan 45, Babar 28, Moeen 0-4 (0.3)

16:10 , Michael Jones

Moeen Ali brings himself on now and decides to come around the wicket to the right-handers with a set back leg-side field.

Pakistan continue to milk the spinners and pick up four runs from the first three deliveries of Moeen’s over.

Pakistan 70-0 (8), Rizwan 42, Babar 27, Rashid 0-7 (1)

16:08 , Michael Jones

Rizwan looks to sweep Rashid away from the last ball of the over but gets a thick top edge on the ball and dinks it over wicketkeeper Phil Salt.

Richard Gleeson chases it down to the boundary rope and limits Pakistan to a couple.

Seven runs from the over.

Pakistan 66-0 (7.3), Rizwan 39, Babar 26, Rashid 0-3 (0.3)

16:06 , Michael Jones

This is a key passage of play now as Moeen Ali turns to the legspinner Adil Rashid. The pitch is fairly flat with nothing helping out the quicks but can Rashid draw some turn out of it?

It’s a good start from Rashid with two singles, a wide and a dot ball coming from his first three (legal) deliveries.

Pakistan 63-0 (7), Rizwan 38, Babar 25, Curran 0-18 (2)

16:04 , Michael Jones

Lovely! Curran decides to come around the wicket to Rizwan but the batter holds his ground and pumps a booming drive down the ground for four more!

12 runs come from Curran’s second over.

Pakistan 57-0 (6.3), Rizwan 33, Babar 24, Curran 0-12 (1.3)

16:03 , Michael Jones

Sam Curran returns for England but can’t keep it tight. Rizwan shuffles down the pitch towards the bowler who then pulls his length back and bangs it in short but Rizwan loves a pull and smokes the ball away for four runs!

Two more runs come from Curran’s other deliveries.

Pakistan 51-0 (6), Rizwan 28, Babar 23, Wood 0-12 (2)

16:00 , Michael Jones

50 up! Pakistan end the six-over powerplay on 51-0 with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan bringing up yet another fifty partnership.

They’re a formidible duo at the top of the order for Pakistan.

England could do with a wicket to stem the flow of runs.

Pakistan 48-0 (5.3), Rizwan 26, Babar 22, Wood 0-9 (1.3)

15:58 , Michael Jones

Slap! Rizwan strides forward and drills Wood’s first ball past the wide mid-off and down the ground for four runs.

Wood responds by pinning Rizwan on the pads with the next delivery but ball pitches outside of leg stump and England don’t even bother to appeal for lbw.

Rizwan then picks up one by turning the ball away to square leg.

Pakistan 43-0 (5), Rizwan 21, Babar 22, Gleeson 0-7 (1)

15:55 , Michael Jones

Four! Gleeson angles a sharp delivery into the leg stump but Rizwan is onto it quickly and threads the ball through midwicket to collect another boundary.

Just one more run comes from the over, Pakistan take seven from it.

Luke Wood will continue at the other end.

Pakistan 38-0 (4.3), Rizwan 16, Babar 22, Gleeson 0-2 (0.3)

15:53 , Michael Jones

34-year-old Richard Gleeson is brought on to replace David Willey. Moeen Ali will keep switching his bowlers, giving them an over here or there to keep the batters on their toes.

Mohammad Rizwan plays a big drive off the first ball but misses it. The Pakistan batters then nudge the ball away for two singles off the next two balls.

Pakistan 36-0 (4), Rizwan 15, Babar 21, Wood 0-4 (1)

15:51 , Michael Jones

Wood finishes off his over with a full, slower ball that is pushed to mid-on by Babar Azam who calls Mohammad Rizwan through for one.

That’s a good over from Luke Wood, he’ll be more relaxed now after getting through his first over in international cricket.

Pakistan 34-0 (3.3), Rizwan 14, Babar 20, Wood 0-2 (0.3)

15:49 , Michael Jones

Pakistan have won all seven T20 internationals at this ground. Luke Wood is brought on to replace Sam Curran for England. He’s another left-arm seamer but has more pace than either Curran or Willey.

His first three deliveries are decent with a tight line just hovering the off-stump. Rizwan and Babar both manage to pick up a single each.

Pakistan 32-0 (3), Rizwan 13, Babar 19, Willey 0-26 (2)

15:47 , Michael Jones

Rizwan gets in on the act now and smokes Willey to the boundary for his first four of the innings. After three over Pakistan are flying, they’re already rocketing at over 10 runs per over.

Pakistan 22-0 (2.3), Rizwan 8, Babar 18, Willey 0-20 (1.3)

15:45 , Michael Jones

Willey is going around the park. First Mohammad Rizwan drives him wide of mid-off and only Alex Hales’ chase stops the ball from crossing the boundary.

He then strays too wide to Babar who belts him away for four through the offside before hooking the third ball of the over for another boundary!

Pakistan 15-0 (2), Rizwan 5, Babar 10, Curran 0-6 (1)

15:42 , Michael Jones

Six runs coming from that Sam Curran over continues Pakistan’s decent start. England need to try and bring some more control on this innings.

David Willey will continue.

Pakistan 14-0 (1.5), Rizwan 4, Babar 10, Curran 0-5 (0.5)

15:40 , Michael Jones

Rizwan plays one with soft hands to guide the ball to backward point for the first runs off Sam Curran’s over.

Curran then attempts to bang one in short at Babar but his line is way off and the batter swivels off his back foot to pull the ball away for four more runs!

Pakistan 9-0 (1.2), Rizwan 3, Babar 6, Curran 0-0 (0.2)

15:38 , Michael Jones

England turn to another left-arm seamer as Sam Curran opens up from the other end and he starts with a dot ball as Rizwan middles one to the fielder at mid-on.

The next delivery is pushed into the offside and Rizwan has to shout ‘NO!’ to send Babar back into his crease. The Pakistan captain hoped to steal a run there.

Pakistan 9-0 (1), Rizwan 3, Babar 6, Willey 0-9 (1)

15:36 , Michael Jones

Willey pulls his length back for the rest of the over but brilliant running between Babar and Rizwan allows them to continuously rotate the strike.

It’s a good start for Pakistan with 9 runs coming from the first over.

Pakistan 5-0 (0.2), Rizwan 1, Babar 4, Willey 0-5 (0.2)

15:33 , Michael Jones

Willey angles the ball across the right-hander on a good length and Rizwan pushes him through the gap at point for a single.

Babar’s first delivery is straighter from Willey and a little shuffle over to the off stump allows the Pakistan captain to whip the ball through midwicket for four runs!

It’s the first boundary of the match.

Pakistan 0-0 (0), Rizwan 0, Babar 0, Willey 0-0 (0)

15:31 , Michael Jones

David Willey is going to open the bowling for England with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan the two opening batters for Pakistan.

Rizwan will face the first ball.

Here we go...

Pakistan vs England

15:28 , Michael Jones

There’s a one minute silence in memory of the victims of the recent floods in Pakistan and in memory of Queen Elizabeth II. Then the national anthems are both played before play gets underway.

The two teams

15:23 , Michael Jones

Pakistan XI: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haider Ali, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Qadir, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani

England XI: Phil Salt, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, David Willey, Luke Wood, Adil Rashid, Richard Gleeson

Moeen Ali rejects suggestion England have second-string team in Pakistan

15:20 , Michael Jones

Moeen Ali expressed his pride at leading England in Pakistan but rejected the suggestion the tourists have brought a second-string squad for the seven Twenty20 internationals between the teams.

Jos Buttler has made the trip but England’s white-ball captain is wary of rushing his return from a calf injury sustained in The Hundred, especially with the T20 World Cup in Australia just a month away.

While there is optimism he could feature later on in the series, he will miss Tuesday’s opener in Karachi, so Moeen takes on the captaincy role for England’s first fixture in Pakistan since late 2005.

As an English cricketer of Pakistani descent, this tour has long been thought of as having particular resonance for Moeen and he admitted what a privilege it was to take on skippering duties.

Moeen Ali rejects suggestion England have second-string team in Pakistan

Pre-match thoughts from Moeen Ali

15:18 , Michael Jones

Speaking at the toss England’s captain Moeen Ali said: “It means a lot for us to come here. We’re lucky enough to come here after 17 years and it means a lot. It’s massive for England and Pakistan too.

“It’s brilliant I’ve not been Pakistan as much in my life. No matter where you are in the world, to represent England is great.

“It’s about playing the cricket we’re used to playing. We’ve got new faces in the team. It’s about having a new brand.

“We’ve got new faces in the squad like Alex Hales and Ben Duckett who are coming in and [Luke] Wood makes his debut too which is awesome.”

"We'll be a dangerous team!"

15:15 , Michael Jones

England captain Jos Buttler says his side will be a serious contender at the T20 World Cup in October and November.

Luke Wood makes England debut

15:10 , Michael Jones

Luke Wood makes his international debut for England and here he is receiving his cap from one-day captain Jos Butter.

Pakistan vs England

15:06 , Michael Jones

England played (and lost) a solitary One Day International in Karachi on their 2005 tour and, amid presidential levels of security, were in and out of the city within 24 hours.

This is their first protracted return to the city since the 2000/01 tour, when Nasser Hussain’s men famously sealed the Test series in near darkness.

Today, the teams will observe a minute’s silence before the first T20, in memory of Queen Elizabeth II and victims of the floods in Pakistan.

England win the toss and bowl first

15:03 , Michael Jones

Here’s how England line-up for the first T20 of the series. Moeen Ali has won the toss and England will bowl first.

Pakistan vs England schedule

15:00 , Michael Jones

First T20: Tuesday, September 20th - National Stadium, Karachi (3.30pm BST)

Second T20: Thursday, September 22nd - National Stadium, Karachi (3.30pm BST)

Third T20: Friday, September 23rd - National Stadium, Karachi (3.30pm BST)

Fourth T20: Sunday, September 25th - National Stadium, Karachi (3.30pm BST)

Fifth T20: Wednesday, September 28th - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (3.30pm BST)

Sixth T20: Friday, September 30th - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (3.30pm BST)

Seventh T20: Sunday, October 2nd - Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (3.30pm BST)

England return to Pakistan

14:54 , Michael Jones

England’s first match in Pakistan in 17 years gets underway at 3.30pm as Moeen Ali’s tourists take on Babar Azam’s hosts.

A long time to wait

14:47 , Michael Jones

Only one active international cricketer took part in England’s most recent match in Pakistan in December 2005. That is James Anderson who hasn’t played white-ball cricket since 2015 but was the matchwinner on that occasion with bowling figures of 4-48.

Shoaib Malik - who last featured for Pakistan in November 2021 - also played in that game.

Pakistan fans will be ‘overjoyed’ to welcome England, Chris Jordan predicts

14:41 , Michael Jones

Chris Jordan predicts cricket fans in Karachi will be “overjoyed” to welcome England on Tuesday, when they compete on Pakistani soil for the first time in 17 years.

International fixtures have gradually returned to the country since the end of a decade-long absence that followed the terror attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in 2009, with England finally embarking on their own landmark trip having cancelled a planned visit last year.

The 35,000-capacity National Stadium is sure to be teeming with excitement when it hosts the first of seven Twenty20s between the sides and, although a fractured finger means he will be watching from afar, Jordan knows better than most what to expect.

Pakistan fans will be ‘overjoyed’ to welcome England, Chris Jordan predicts

Pakistan vs England

14:35 , Michael Jones

Pakistan have won six of their previous 20 completed T20s against England, with 13 losses and a solitary tie in Sharjah in 2015 (in which England won the Super Over).

The two teams last met in the summer of 2021, when England came from behind to win the three-match series 2-1, after Shaheen Shah and Babar Azam had combined to win the series opener at Trent Bridge.

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