England win series opener
Sunday, 5 September 2010 18:13England overcame a mid-innings wobble to complete a five-wicket victory against Pakistan in their first Twenty20 match since becoming world champions.
Pakistan, doubtless seeking some respite on the field from the 'spot-fixing' crisis which has beset them all week, appeared temporarily well-placed to go 1-0 up in the two-match series.
But instead, England recovered their composure in Cardiff - from 62 for five at the half-way point, after losing four wickets for 20 runs - to run out comfortable winners, in pursuit of 126 for four.
An unbroken stand of 67 between Eoin Morgan (38no) and Mike Yardy (35no) did the trick to help England coast home with almost four overs to spare as Pakistan's fielding and catching let them down just when they could least afford it.
Pakistan's innings, after they had been put in following heavy morning rain and on a cloudy afternoon, was a workmanlike effort.
Umar Akmal top-scored with 35, and three others made between 20 and 30.
But spinners Graeme Swann and Yardy bowled five overs in tandem, immediately after the powerplay, in which the former took two wickets and only 14 runs were conceded.
Fawad Alam, in particular, struggled to get the ball away - and was unable to find the boundaries on a big playing area - but Akmal and captain Shahid Afridi did enough to at least provide a test for England's batsmen.
