In his eagerly anticipated comeback to international cricket, Jofra Archer took two wickets as England defeated Pakistan by 23 runs at Edgbaston, taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match Twenty20 series.
Jos Buttler, the captain of England, hit 84 from 51 balls to give the home team a target of 184.As Archer made his case for selection in the United States and West Indies for the T20 World Cup next month, the tourists were bowled out with four balls remaining.
The fast bowler, who helped England win the 50-over World Cup in 2019, has suffered from elbow issues ever since. In his first outing for his country since 2020, Archer made his maiden international debut in 14 months. He recovered from a costly opening saw 15 runs go for 28. Moeen Ali removed Muhammad Rizwan in the opening over, while Reece Topley claimed three wickets for 41. With three sixes and eight fours, Buttler was the standout player for England when batting. Will Jacks’ 37 and Jonny Bairstow’s 21 provided him with plenty of backing, but England were unable to build on the foundation their captain laid. With only 25 runs scored, five wickets fell as With Shaheen Shah Afridi taking 3-36, Pakistan mounted a spirited comeback. Following the first match’s Wednesday cancellation, England leads the four-match series 1-0.
