Jofra Archer makes successful return as England beat Pakistan in T20s | Cricket

Jos Buttler’s swinging, regular wicket derailed Pakistan’s chase and England’s biggest advantage at the start of their T20 World Cup preparations was that Jofra Archer was kept clean Returning without injury, it has been 62 weeks since he last played for the national team.

It’s been a painful road back for Archer, with a long battle with a stress fracture in his elbow leaving him doubting whether he can overcome another setback. Playing the full match was the first box to be ticked and Sharpie could be out as England defended a 23-run victory at 183 for 7 to take a 1-0 lead.

If there is tension, it is not obvious. Rust may be inevitable as the nets and club games are unable to replicate Edgbaston’s full-game intensity, with Archer scoring 15 off Farha Zaman’s blistering 21-ball 45 first point.

But by the end, the numbers showed that over four rounds, only 2 of 28 had broken 90 mph on the speed gun.

Given the margin of victory, Archer’s cameo with the bat also came in handy three days after his planned comeback was scrapped at Leeds. Buttler was at his clinical best, taking the team to 144 for 2 in the 15th over with a 51-ball knock of 84, before collapsing at 39 for 5. In a shaky match, Archer hit an unbeaten 12, scoring four off the first ball before hitting Mohammad Amir’s long delivery for six. ball.

The stern test is always on the ball, however, and Archer reminded that the last wicket-for-wicket threat seen at home was in 2020 – and the same could be said for the supporters in the stands a year ago . After a tricky six games of the first set, he returned in the 12th game when the burly Azam Khan chipped in to cover the first ball to make it 91 for 5, Imad Wasim then holed out the ball in the final rites. Solid work is expected to bring more results.

Overall, aside from the result, England could perhaps have gained more from this game six days before flying to Barbados. Pakistan counterattacked well with the ball and field, with Imad’s left-arm scoring two runs in the 19th over. That’s a bit lower, but exposes a possible lack of firepower.

Fakhar’s fall in the 13th over, which made the score 100-6, was the decisive factor. The former naval officer walked onto the deck together at 14:00 with a murderous air that sent the mostly pro-Pakistan crowd into a frenzy. But when he tried to hit his fourth six off Liam Livingstone, he was beaten by the all-rounder’s clever extra width.

It was a reminder of Buttler’s ball selection, Livingston’s use of sixth man and all six wickets here. Considering spin is likely to play a big role in the Caribbean next month, Moeen Ali’s two wickets including 32-pound smooth Babar Azam lbw and Adil Adil Rashid looks fine after 15 weeks off, which bodes well for the future. Chris Jordan, almost self-explanatory, made a couple of great spin catches.

Perhaps the biggest curiosity is that Babar has chosen to play on a pitch where all seven previous T20 internationals have been won by the team that bats first. England’s strategy was slightly easier to understand, with the aggressiveness of Phil Salt (13 off 9) and Will Jacks (37 off 23) giving Buttler some breathing space. Organize a competition.

If the form Buttler witnessed here carries over to the T20 World Cup – where he looked much better than he did in India last winter – the captains will think twice before fielding England. A 360-degree grunt – but not at least a gutsy reverse sweep of six overs to defeat a slightly lost Shadab Khan – Jonny Bairstow The mid-level collapse after 21 games was not ideal.

Still, given the importance of Archer’s return and his attack claiming all 10 wickets, the reasons for complaint far outweigh the benefits.