OSCAR RESS: Jos Buttler powered his side to 183 for 7 with 84 before two wickets a piece from Moeen Ali and Jofra Archer restricted Pakistan
Edgbaston: England 183-7, Pakistan 160 all out - England win by 23 runs
England opened their international summer with a comfortable 23 run win in the second T20 against Pakistan at Edgbaston.
Jos Buttler powered his side to 183 for 7 with 84 before two wickets apiece from Moeen Ali and Jofra Archer restricted Pakistan to 160 all out.
It was a welcome return to international form for Buttler before being undone by a Haris Rauf slower ball, part of the middle-order collapse that saw England lose five wickets for 25 runs. The hosts looked set for a total over 200 when the skipper put on 71 with Will Jacks (37) but Jonny Bairstow (21), Harry Brook (1), Mooen Ali (4), and Chris Jordan (3) all fell in quick succession.
Imad Wasim, who rescinded his international retirement in March of this year, was the pick of the bowlers conceding just 19 and removing Phil Salt (13) and Brook but he was ably supported by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who took three wickets and Rauf (2-34).
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Jos Buttler looked back to his international best at Edgbaston (Paul Ellis/Getty Images)
Despite losing Muhammad Rizwan (0) and Saim Ayub (2) in the powerplay, Fakar Zamam injected some momentum into the innings hitting regular boundaries, including 15 off Jofra Archer's comeback over.
Ali, who took an impressive 2-26, dismissed Pakistan captain Babar Azam for just 32, Shadab Khan (3) quickly followed off Adil Rashid, and Jofra Archer (2-28) marked his return by removing Azam Khan (11) to ramp up the pressure.
Zaman was Pakistan's most dangerous batter whenever he was afforded the strike but when he skied Liam Livingstone to Brook on 45 off 20 balls, England were in the driving seat.
The same fate befell Iftikhar Ahmed (23) as he skied Reece Topley the ball after hitting a six and Wasim was smartly caught to hand Archer a second wicket.
It was a professional display in the field from England to restrict Pakistan as the bowlers, who were expertly rotated by Buttler, executed their plans well.
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