"The bowlers won us the game": England hero Ben Stokes shares praise after World Cup final triumph

Sam Curran continued his marvellous tournament with match figures of 3 for 12 from his four overs, taking his World Cup haul to 13, while Adil Rashid bowled magnificently in the middle overs

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To Lord's and Headingley 2019, add the MCG in 2022.

Ben Stokes' knack of taking centre stage at the most crucial times for his country continued as England became the first men's side to hold both the T20 World Cup and the 50-over crown at the same time, following a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in Melbourne.

The allrounder's unbeaten half-century, against Pakistan's fearsome four-pronged seam attack, guided his side home to their second T20 World Cup title in front of 80,000 inside the MCG.

But he was quick to say after the game that it was England's bowlers who were the stars of the show. 

"In finals, especially chasing, you forget all the hard work before that," he said.

"I thought the way we bowled, that's what won us the game. It was a tricky wicket, one that you never thought you were in on, so to restrict them to what we did… the bowlers have to take a lot of credit."

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Ben Stokes guided England to victory in the T20 World Cup final [Getty Images]

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England beat Pakistan by seven wickets at the MCG [Getty Images]

Sam Curran continued his marvellous tournament with match figures of 3 for 12 from his four overs, taking his World Cup haul to 13, while Adil Rashid bowled magnificently in the middle overs - extracting considerable turn and delivering 2 for 22 - including a wicket maiden. 

Stokes himself popped up with a wicket, while Chris Jordan (2-27) kept the squeeze on Pakistan, who found the going tough for much of the first innings.

England then edged home despite the required run rate beginning to rise during the second half of their chase, as Pakistan lost talisman Shaheen Afridi to injury - the seamer was only able to bowl 2.1 overs. 

Stokes said afterwards that England's success in this tournament was built on their reaction to group-stage defeat by Ireland, which - combined with a washout against Australia - left them needing to win their final four matches to become world champions.

They did just that, with wins over New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the Super 12s preceding a crushing 10-wicket victory against India in the semi-finals.

"With [the Ireland loss] being so early on in the competition we obviously had to address it, say what was said, and then let it go because in tournaments you can't carry baggage with you," Stokes said. "That was a little blip on the way but the best teams learn from their mistakes; they take it on the chin but they never let it affect them, and move on to the next challenge.

"I feel as though we've stood up to every challenge we've had thrown at us in the tournament. It was a pretty good evening.

"Representing your country at World Cups is amazing. It's been a good run."

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Sam Curran was exceptional with the ball [Getty Images]

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Adil Rashid's 2 for 22 included a wicket maiden [Getty Images]

Moeen Ali, who put on 48 runs for the fifth wicket with Stokes to help England out of a difficult situation in the chase, reflected on "one of the best days of my cricketing career".

"I feel as a team we deserved it, over a long period of time, and played some amazing cricket," he said. "Today to win, against a brilliant Pakistan side, is an amazing feeling."

Moeen made 19 from 13 balls to keep England ticking after Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf pulled Pakistan back into the contest between the 10th and 15th overs.

"I thought it was about keeping my intent and if I was going to get out I'd get out," he said. "It's about having the right balance, and obviously Stokesy played some great shots and we put on a nice little partnership."

 


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