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Twenty20 World Cup: England crowned champions for second time

Ben Stokes stars in gripping Melbourne final

Ben Stokes inspired England to World Cup glory against Pakistan at the MCG
Ben Stokes inspired England to World Cup glory against Pakistan at the MCGCredit: Cameron Spencer

England have been crowned Twenty20 World Cup winners for only the second time in their history after an efficient five-wicket win over Pakistan in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Jos Buttler's men had been 7-2 to lift the trophy at the start of the tournament and are now the first men's side ever to hold both the one-day international World Cup and T20 World Cup at the same time.

England won the toss and chose to bowl at the MCG, where they managed to keep Pakistan's big hitters quiet, restricting the Men in Green to a total of 137-8 with Sam Curran the pick of the team's bowlers with figures of 3-12 from three overs.

At the start of their innings, Buttler's side were 1-4 to get the job done but lost in-form opener Alex Hales in the first over.

Phil Salt (ten) and Buttler (26) also both fell within the first six overs and England were matched at a high over just over 1-2 in-play.

But playing in front of a ferocious Pakistan-supporting crowd, Ben Stokes (52 not out) was once again the man who rose to the task, saving his first ever T20 international half-century for the biggest of occasions.

Pakistan, who had been 17-2 to win the World Cup before the first round, fought until the end and may have made a few England fans sweat when Mohammad Wasim dismissed Moeen Ali in the penultimate over but Buttler's side got over the line.

England have been trimmed to 5-2 with Coral and Ladbrokes to follow up the success by winning next year's ODI World Cup - they are joint-favourites with hosts India. Ben Stokes has been cut to 10-1 to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award for the second time in his career.


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