Pakistan vs England LIVE: T20 Cricket World Cup final result and reaction as Ben Stokes stars
England beat Pakistan by five wickets to the win the World Cup as Stokes was the hero once again
Ben Stokes was the hero with the bat once again as England successfully chased down Pakistan to win the T20 World Cup in a thrilling final in Melbourne.
Stokes produced his highest T20 score - finishing with an unbeaten 52 runs off 49 balls for his first half-century in the format - as the all-rounder produced another sublime performance on the biggest stage.
England were set 138 to win following wonderful bowling from Sam Curran and Adil Rashid and looked odds-on to add to complete the set of World Cups following their victory in the 50-over format in 2019.
But Pakistan responded to slow England’s momentum, removing Alex Hales early and then following with the wicket of Jos Buttler to set up a nervy finish at the MCG.
Stokes, as well as Moeen Ali, stood up to the challenge and turned the tide following a sensational 17th over that produced 16 runs as England swung for the boundaries. Ali was dismissed to leave England needing six runs off their final 10 balls - but Stokes completed his first T20 half-century to win the World Cup for England.
Follow all the reaction from the T20 World Cup final:
Chris Jordan on winning T20 World Cup
Jordan: “Words can’t describe it. To share the dressing room with every single person, the boys deserved that today.
“I had to take some time, everything is a process. It was always going to take all 15 guys.
“It started with the skipper here (Morgan), but I’ll do anything the team asks of me. I’ll perform to the best of my ability. Jos is great at reading the game every couple of balls.
“It’s to take a day at a time. What got us here in the first place, the conditions on the day, adapt, don’t be afraid to win ugly. Doesn’t always have to be in style. Can be ugly.
“Huge character, to a man, Hales to come back into the squad, it was always going to be a squad effort, it starts from the top with Morgs and Jos.
“This journey for me, T20 World Cup, starting in 2014, 2016 didn’t go according to plan, but this one is sweet.”
Jos Buttler on winning T20 World Cup
Buttler: “So proud, huge character. This is a million miles away from the Ireland game.
“We peaked at the right time. As a whole, bat, ball and in the field. Sam has had an outstanding tournament.
“He’s been amazing. We scored runs when we needed to. Alex Hales in must-win matches. Who else tonight? Ben Stokes to see us through.
“I was comfortable after 10 overs. He got it done in the end. A bit in the wicket, a bit of luck. Moeen played a great chameo, we bat deep.
“Liam was in next, I’ll never sit next to you again waiting to bat. We went four, six, four, four or something and that broke the back of the game. It’s the stuff you dream of, growing up, to have the opportunity and then to go and win it.
“Families play such a huge part. Support, sacrifice, to share moments with them, it’s special.”
England win T20 World Cup
Matthew Mott reacts after England win T20 World Cup
Matthew Mott: “Pakistan played exceptionally well. The boys held their nerve.
“After the 10th over we were confident, but the first three overs after the break we had a scare. We couldn’t get away.
“We knew we were one over away from breaking the game. He cocked a bit of flack about T20, but he’s a match winning player in any format.
“Rashid has got better and better, Curran has been a revelation. We left him out, he was disappointed, every game he produced something special.”
Ben Stokes reacts after England win T20 World Cup
“When the great man stepped down, Jos taking over, progressing from the legacy Morgs left,” Stokes said.
“Jos has his own legacy now. It shouldn’t be taken for granted how hard it is to take tactical decisions.
“We had a lot of people who hadn’t played a game. No team is complete without those who put in the hard work behind the scenes.”
Ben Stokes reacts after England win T20 World Cup
Stokes: “The wicket felt like it got harder as the ball got older.
“When you chase totals, you forget the hard work that goes in befiire, the way Sam, Rash, to restrict them, it’s a huge reason we didn’t feel under too much pressure. I never felt it was out of our hands at all.
“When you get to the end of the innings, under eight per over, Mo got us going. Decent.
“It was always going to be a time where we attack an over, unfortunately Shaheen had to go off. Sam, Woakesy, Rash, that over was the big one.
“When you chase big totals you need a deep batting line-up. You either go in and face eight to 10 balls and try find the boundaries, or get yourself in and try and take it deep.
“We’re wise enough for any situation.”
England win T20 World Cup
England win T20 World Cup
“Look at England in white ball cricket now, they’re a transformed outfit now,” says Nasser Hussain.
Morgan: “It’s a special time, the sacrifices they make before they even play for their country.
“The coaches at the weekend, the school teacher, to share this moment with families, it’s really special stuff.
Jos Buttler reacts to winning T20 World Cup
“This felt a long way away after the Ireland match. The character we’ve shown is amazing,” says Buttler.
“He’s fitted in really well, we’ve got a few Australians. He’d led the coaching staff well and gives the players freedom.
“It was a huge swing in the game, a fantastic over from Adil, he's the guy we throw the ball to and ask to make things happen.
“When you hit the right length, there’s seam movement, it wasn’t easy at all. We got off to a decent start and controlled the run rate.
“We bat deep, Ben Stokes at the end. He’s the ultimate competitor at anything he does. He’s got experience to bank on. It must be time for him to get us over the line. Him and Moeen took the game away from Pakistan.”
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