(Football news) England got back to winning ways on Friday to take the lead 2-1 after defeating Pakistan by 63 runs. The visitors were humbled by Pakistan yesterday as the hosts won by 10-wickets to level the series. In the 3rd T20I, Brook and Duckett helped England post a mammoth score of 221 after Will Jacks who was on debut gave the much needed impetus during the powerplay. Pakistan on the other hand lost four wickets inside the powerplay and their hopes for a win were crippled pretty early. Mark Wood and Recce Topely kept the top-order of Pakistan in check.

One positive for the Pakistani fans was the form of Shan Masood whose selection for the T20 World Cup did raise a few eyebrows. The southpaw went on to add 62 alongside Khushdil who fell to Rashid. Shan Masood in particular looked fluent with his stroke play as he stayed unbeaten with a score of 66 off 40 balls but Pakistan fell well short of the target. The England attack looked baffled and clueless less than 24 hours ago and skittled out the top four of Pakistan inside the first six overs. Mark Wood removed skipper Babar Azam with the fastest delivery of the series as Rizwan followed his skipper soon after as he under-edged one on to sticks. 

England pressed the accelerator from ball one but lost Salt early on but Will Jacks didn't budge and hit 8 boundaries inside the powerplay with England scoring 57 runs in the first 6 for the loss of one wicket. Pakistan did try altering the combinations but it didn't work out as Jacks looked in exceptional form while Dawid Malan stuck to his game plan of taking his time to settle down. Usman Qadir brought life into the Pakistani innings when he removed Will Jacks and Dawid Malan in quick succession. Despite scoring at a decent rate during the powerplay, England had their eyes set on a higher score after the humiliating loss they suffered yesterday.

Ben Duckett, who has been in exceptional form this tournament announced his arrival to the middle with a boundary off the first ball. His partner in crime Harry Brook impressed and was another indication that he belongs to this level. Pace and spin both were taken to the raptors as they managed to stitch together a 139 run partnership for the 4th wicket. In the absence of a few regular names, Duckett has stepped up seamlessly to give a facelift to their struggling middle order ever since Eoin Morgan retired. England just didn't lift the foot off the pedal on a venue that has been a belter to bat upon over the last two days as they posted a daunting total of 221 which eventually proved too much for Pakistan.

Brief Scores: England 221/3 (Brook 81*, Duckett 70*; Qadir 2-48) won against Pakistan 158/8 (Masood 66*; Wood 3-25) by 63 runs

Also read: India win shortened 2nd T20I to level the series against Australia