12 years after winning their last T20 World Cup, England has once again emerged as the last nation after defeating Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Ben Stokes was the hero for England, with an outstanding knock of 52 not out as Moeen Ali proved to be an exceptional running mate right at the death.
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However, several pointed to the injury of Pakistani pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as the main turning point of the match.
Afridi was the man who caught Harry Brook’s loose shot, however he hurt his right knee in the process of taking the catch and required immediate medical attention.
He limped off the field, only to return a few overs later.
Afridi took the ball for the 16th over, but could only send down one delivery albeit at just 114km/h, significantly slower than the usual thunderbolts he fires at opposing batsmen.
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He had to exit the game permanently after that and off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed took over for the remaining five balls.
But in those five deliveries, the contest swung firmly in England’s favour when Stokes blasted a six and a four in consecutive shots.
From then on, it was virtually one-way traffic as Stokes and Ali let loose on some weak Pakistan bowling.
Many on social media felt Pakistan’s chances departed with Afridi as he walked off the pitch, with the nation now without a T20 World Cup since 2009.
