Luck was not on Pakistan’s side as they were beaten in the World Cup final by England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

After a sub-par batting effort but a superb bowling comeback, the Green Shirts had made a match of it before an untimely injury to star pacer Shaheen Afridi a ball into the 16th over forced Babar Azam to turn to part-timer Iftikhar Ahmed.

Seeing the southpaw pacer leave the field deflated the team as his replacement Iftikhar was swiftly dispatched for a pair of boundaries by Ben Stokes and the match, from that point on, was as good as over.

Earlier, Pakistan pacers led by Shaheen and Haris Rauf did a remarkable job of keeping their team in the hunt despite just 137 to defend.

Shaheen, just as he usually is, was superb in the opening over, and got rid of Alex Hales. As mentioned above, luck was not on Pakistan’s side, something demonstrated by the fact that the lanky pacer picked up the injury while taking the catch of Harry Brook.

Had it not been for Shaheen’s injury, the match was anyone’s to take.

First innings

Earlier, Sam Curran bagged three wickets for just 12 runs as England held Pakistan to 137-8.

With forecast rain staying away, England produced disciplined and economical bowling to stymie the 2009 champions who never really got going, with Shan Masood’s 38 the top score.

Curran was deadly, accounting for Mohammad Rizwan, Masood and Mohammad Nawaz.

Adil Rashid’s leg spin also proved crucial, removing the dangerous Mohammad Haris with his opening ball then getting the crucial wicket of Babar Azam to end with 2-22.

Jos Buttler’s England, who reached the final with a thumping 10-wicket win over India, are aiming to become the sport’s first-ever dual white-ball champions after winning the 50-over World Cup in 2019.

Both teams are looking for a second T20 title after Pakistan’s success in 2009 and England’s a year later.

England, who were again without injured batsman Dawid Malan and pace bowler Mark Wood, won the toss and sent Pakistan into bat.

Ben Stokes was given the new ball and Pakistan were lucky to survive the over intact, with a nervy Mohammad Rizwan almost run out going for a risky single.

If Chris Jordan’s throw had been a direct hit he would have been gone.

Rizwan and Azam shared a century partnership in the semi-final against New Zealand and soon settled, with Rizwan clearing the ropes off Chris Woakes for the first six of the night in the fourth over.

But another big stand wasn’t to be, with Rizwan dragging a delivery from Curran on to his stumps on 15.

Pakistan, who powered past New Zealand by seven wickets to make the final, managed just 39-1 off the six-over powerplay, where only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle.

The introduction of Rashid soon after reaped an immediate reward with Haris attacking him on his first ball only to sky a simple catch to Stokes.

Azam led Pakistan to 68-2 at the halfway point of the innings and then Masood began swinging the bat, hitting a four and six off Liam Livingstone.

But once again Rashid got the breakthrough, pulling off a diving catch from his own bowling to claim the vital wicket of Azam, whose 32 came off 28 balls.

Iftikhar Ahmed only lasted six balls before Masood and Shadab Khan (20) fell in the space of two runs as Curran and Chris Jordan kept the lid on any hope Pakistan had of a late flurry.

England have won by five wickets.

138-5 after 19 overs: Wasim to Stokes, 1 run

137-5 after 18.5 overs: Wasim to Stokes, no run

137-5 after 18.4 overs: Wasim to Stokes, 4 runs

133-5 after 18.3 overs: Wasim to Livingstone, 1 run

132-5 after 18.2 overs: Wasim to Moeen (19), OUT

132-4 after 18.1 overs: Wasim to Stokes, 1 run

As Pakistani bowlers bowl their hearts out to keep Pakistan in the game, financial analyst Fahad Rauf remarked about the low total that Pakistan put up. “This bowling attack deserved some runs.”

Ben Stokes 46 (46), Moeen Ali 19 (11)

131-4 after 18 overs: Rauf to Stokes, 1 run

130-4 after 17.5 overs: Rauf to Stokes, no run

130-4 after 17.4 overs: Rauf to Stokes, no run

130-4 after 17.3 overs: Rauf to Stokes, 2 runs

128-4 after 17.2 overs: Rauf to Moeen, 1 run

127-4 after 17.1 overs: Rauf to Stokes, 1 run

Moeen Ali 18 (10), Ben Stokes 42 (41)

126-4 after 17 overs: Wasim to Moeen, 4 runs

122-4 after 16.5 overs: Wasim to Stokes, 1 run

121-4 after 16.4 overs: Wasim to Stokes, 2 runs

119-4 after 16.3 overs: Wasim to Moeen, 1 run

118-4 after 16.2 overs: Wasim to Moeen, 4 runs

114-4 after 16.1 overs: Wasim to Moeen, 4 runs

Author Osama Siddique praised the Pakistani fightback as he observed how injury compelled Shaheen Afridi to walk off the field.

“What bad luck. Your main strike bowler can’t compete the crucial overs at this crucial stage. Oh well. What can one do. Chin up. And what a fightback.”

As Ben Stokes’ consecutive boundaries took the match back into England’s favour, journalist Wajahat S. Khan said:

Ben Stokes 39 (38), Moeen Ali 5 (7)

110-4 after 16 overs: Iftikhar to Stokes, 6 RUNS

104-4 after 15.5 overs: Iftikhar to Stokes, 4 runs

100-4 after 15.4 overs: Iftikhar to Moeen, 1 run

99-4 after 15.3 overs: Iftikhar to Stokes, 1 run

98-4 after 15.2 overs: Iftikhar to Moeen, 1 run

97-4 after 15.1 overs: Shaheen to Moeen, no run

Ben Stokes 28 (35), Moeen Ali 3 (4)

97-4 after 15 overs: Rauf to Stokes, 4 runs

93-4 after 14.5 overs: Rauf to Stokes, no run

93-4 after 14.4 overs: Rauf to Moeen, 1 run

92-4 after 14.3 overs: Rauf to Stokes, 1 run

91-4 after 14.2 overs: Rauf to Stokes, 2 runs

89-4 after 14.1 overs: Rauf to Stokes, no run

After Shadab Khan dispatched Harry Brook, journalist Brad Hogg observed the “great exhibition of leg spin bowling tonight” by both Adil Rashid and Shadab Khan. “Well bowled both.”

Jasir Shahbaz (@LahoreMarquez) shared a meme of the moment Haris Rauf stopped a boundary by a hair’s breadth.

Ben Stokes 21 (30), Moeen Ali 2 (3)

89-4 after 14 overs: Naseem to Stokes, 1 run

88-4 after 13.5 overs: Naseem to Stokes, no run

88-4 after 13.4 overs: Naseem to Stokes, no run

88-4 after 13.3 overs: Naseem to Stokes, no run

88-4 after 13.2 overs: Naseem to Moeen, 1 run

87-4 after 13.1 overs: Naseem to Moeen, no run

Ben Stokes 20 (26), Moeen Ali 1 (1)

Comment: A possible turning point in the game as Shadab gets rid of Harry Brook. The right-handed batter takes risk against the leggie and gets caught by Shaheen. There is a big injury scare though as Shaheen picks up an injury. He is being treated by the physio.

87-4 after 13 overs: Shadab to Stokes, 2 runs

85-4 after 12.5 overs: Shadab to Stokes, no run

85-4 after 12.4 overs: Shadab to Moeen, 1 run

84-4 after 12.3 overs: Shadab to Brook (20), OUT CAUGHT

84-3 after 12.2 overs: Shadab to Brook, no run

84-3 after 12.1 overs: Shadab to Brook, 2 runs

@ZubairKhanPK says “need that Wasim Akram spell right now when the game was slipping in 92 too.

“Those two magical balls in an over, will anyone ball those today right now?”

Ben Stokes 18 (24), Harry Brook 18 (20)

Comment: Naseem Shah, Pakistan’s most expensive bowler so far tonight, is reintroduced. He starts well with a pair of dot ball conceding three that could have been four, had it not been for Haris Rauf’s excellent save at the boundary. He beats stokes multiple times later in the over. More than a decent comeback by the young pacer.

82-3 after 12 overs: Naseem to Stokes, no run

82-3 after 11.5 overs: Naseem to Stokes, no run

82-3 after 11.4 overs: Naseem to Stokes, no run

82-3 after 11.3 overs: Naseem to Brook, 3 runs

79-3 after 11.2 overs: Naseem to Brook, no run

79-3 after 11.1 overs: Naseem to Brook, no run

Mohammad Wasim’s loose deliveries have prompted alarm from @ddrathnayake3, who asked PCB “what is Wasim doing?”

Harry Brook 15 (17), Ben Stokes 18 (21)

Comment: Shadab with an excellent over. Just 2 off it. He’s done everything right except take a wicket tonight.

79-3 after 11 overs: Shadab to Stokes, 1 run

78-3 after 10.5 overs: Shadab to Stokes, 1 run

77-3 after 10.4 overs: Shadab to Stokes, no run

77-3 after 10.3 overs: Shadab to Stokes, no run

77-3 after 10.2 overs: Shadab to Stokes, no run

77-3 after 10.1 overs: Shadab to Stokes, no run

Harry Brook 14 (16), Ben Stokes 17 (16)

77-3 after 10 overs: Wasim to Brook, no run

77-3 after 9.5 overs: Wasim to Stokes, 1 run

76-3 after 9.4 overs: Wasim to Stokes, 4 runs

72-3 after 9.3 overs: Wasim to Brook, 1 run

71-3 after 9.2 overs: Wasim to Stokes, 1 run

70-3 after 9.1 overs: Wasim to Brook, 1 run

@AbhijeetMukhere says England are still favourites to win from here but Pakistan won’t make it that easy for them. “That’s what you expect from a team in an international match.”

Harry Brook 12 (13), Ben Stokes 11 (13)

69-3 after 9 overs: Shadab to Brook, 1 run

68-3 after 8.5 overs: Shadab to Brook, no run

68-3 after 8.4 overs: Shadab to Stokes, 1 run

67-3 after 8.3 overs: Shadab to Stokes, 4 runs

63-3 after 8.2 overs: Shadab to Brook, 1 run

62-3 after 8.1 overs: Shadab to Stokes, 1 run

Comment: Wasim may be going through final’s jitters. He was poor with the bat earlier and now bowls consecutive wides — bonus runs Pakistan cannot afford to gift away. The rest of the over was alright. 7 off it.

Harry Brook 10 (10), Ben Stokes 5 (10)

61-3 after 8 overs: Wasim to Brook, no run

61-3 after 7.5 overs: Wasim to Brook, no run

61-3 after 7.4 overs: Wasim to Brook, 2 runs

59-3 after 7.3 overs: Wasim to Stoke, 1 run

58-3 after 7.3 overs: Wasim to Stoke, 1 run wide

57-3 after 7.3 overs: Wasim to Stokes, 1 run wide

56-3 after 7.2 overs: Wasim to Brook, 1 run

55-3 after 7.1 overs: Wasim to Stokes, 1 run

The Pakistani bowling attack took down three wickets — all major — leaving Pakistanis wondering if the Green Shirts are turning this match around. Journalist Cyril Almeida sums it up perfectly:

Ben Stokes 3 (8), Harry Brook 7 (6)

Comment: Shadab’s opening over goes for 5 runs. Decent start for one of Pakistan’s best bowlers of the tournament so far.

54-3 after 7 overs: Shadab to Stokes, 1 run

53-3 after 6.5 overs: Shadab to Stokes, no run

53-3 after 6.4 overs: Shadab to Brook,1 run

52-3 after 6.3 overs: Shadab to Brook, 2 runs

50-3 after 6.2 overs: Shadab to Brook, no run

50-3 after 6.1 overs: Shadab to Stokes, 1 run

“We are still in the game, come on boys!” says bowler Wahab Riaz after Haris Rauf took the seemingly unbeatable Jos Buttler’s wicket. “Haris you beauty.”

Shoaib Malik, meanwhile, wants the Green Shirts to “go for the kill boys, it’s now or never!”

Comment: Haris Rauf has boosted Pakistan’s hopes significantly. He gets dangerman Jos Buttler to nick one back to the keeper, leaving England 3 down. Is it GAME ON? It seems so.

Harry Brook 4 (3), Ben Stokes 1 (5)

49-3 after 6 overs: Rauf to Brook, no run

49-3 after 5.5 overs: Rauf to Brook, 4 runs

45-3 after 5.4 overs: Rauf to Brook, no run

45-3 after 5.3 overs: Rauf to Buttler (26), OUT CAUGHT

45-2 after 5.3 overs: Rauf to Buttler, 1 run wide

44-2 after 5.2 overs: Rauf to Stokes, 1 run

43-2 after 5.1 overs: Rauf to Stokes, no run

@Holaitsbasit is trying to hang on to hope. He says “I know it’s difficult but still not impossible, we can do it boys.”

Jos Buttler 26 (16), Ben Stokes 0 (3)

43-2 after 5 overs: Naseem to Buttler, no run

43-2 after 4.5 overs: Naseem to Buttler, no run

43-2 after 4.4 overs: Naseem to Buttler, 6 RUNS

37-2 after 4.3 overs: Naseem to Buttler, no run

37-2 after 4.2 overs: Naseem to Buttler, no run

37-2 after 4.2 overs: Naseem to Buttler, 5 runs wide

32-2 after 4.1 overs: Naseem to Buttler, no run

As Phil Salt lost his wicket to Haris Rauf, former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal affectionately said: “Bye bye my friend Phil Salt.”

Ben Stokes 0 (3), Jos Buttler 20 (10)

32-2 after 4 overs: Rauf to Stokes, no run

32-2 after 3.5 overs: Rauf to Stokes, no run

32-2 after 3.4 overs: Rauf to Stokes, no run

32-2 after 3.3 overs: Rauf to Salt (10), OUT CAUGHT

32-1 after 3.2 overs: Rauf to Salt, no run

32-1 after 3.1 overs: Rauf to Salt, 4 runs

Islamabad United executive Hassan Cheema has commented on England batter Jos Buttler’s aggression. “Thapparr se dar nahin lagta sahab, Buttler se lagta hai,” he says, which roughly translates to Buttler is a frightening fellow.

Phil Salt 6 (6), Jos Buttler 20 (10)

28-1 after 3 overs: Shaheen to Salt, 1 run

27-1 after 2.5 overs: Shaheen to Salt, no run

27-1 after 2.4 overs: Shaheen to Buttler, 1 run

26-1 after 2.3 overs: Shaheen to Buttler, 4 runs

22-1 after 2.2 overs: Shaheen to Salt, 1 run

21-1 after 2.1 overs: Shaheen to Salt, no run

Phil Salt 5 (2), Jos Buttler 15 (8)

21-1 after 2 overs: Naseem to Salt, 1 run

20-1 after 1.5 overs: Naseem to Salt, 4 runs

16-1 after 1.4 overs: Naseem to Buttler, 1 run

15-1 after 1.3 overs: Naseem to Buttler, 4 runs

11-1 after 1.2 overs: Naseem to Buttler, 4 runs

7-1 after 1.1 overs: Naseem to Buttler, no run

After Shaheen Afridi spread his wings after breaking Alex Hales in the first over, Dr Naumal Ul Haq had this to say:

@HammadMadd2 says “Hi Indians, that’s how you do it!”

@ImHifzaAyaz says cricket is incomplete without Shaheen’s spell. “Eagle you have delivered what we expect from you beauty.”

Jos Buttler 6 (4)

7-1 after 1 over: Shaheen to Hales (1), OUT

7-0 after 0.5 over: Shaheen to Buttler, 1 run

6-0 after 0.4 over: Shaheen to Buttler, no run

6-0 after 0.3 over: Shaheen to Buttler, 2 runs

4-0 after 0.2 over: Shaheen to Hales, 1 run

3-0 after 0.1 over: Shaheen to Buttler, 3 runs

STORY AT THE BREAK:

On what was a difficult, two-paced surface, Pakistan unsurprisingly found it difficult to bat and managed to post a total of 137 for 8 wickets, which the super optimists would say is enough but the pessimists would say is at least 20-30 runs short.

Pakistan started decently, with their top two providing a 29-run stand. However, Adil Rashid’s spin (2-22) and Sam Curran (3-12) were the stars of the show. Wickets kept on tumbling and Pakistan never looked comfortable until a 36-run stand for the fifth wicket between Shan Masood (38) and Shadab Khan (20) ignited hopes of a 160 and maybe even more.

However, the innings collapsed from that point on, and one batsman after another kept on holing out. The meltdown was so intense that 150, which was at one point pretty much a guarantee and on the cards, was also missed.

As Pakistan has set a 138-run target for England, @fawadalijourno says making the Pakistan team panic is the easiest strategy to outplay us. “Only a miracle aided by exceptional bowling can save us.”

137-8 after 20 overs: Jordan to Shaheen, 1 run

136-8 after 19.5 overs: Jordan to Shaheen, 4 runs

132-8 after 19.4 overs: Jordan to Rauf, 1 run

@SALSIKandar terms the Pakistan teams batting “blind”, adding that “instead of making two, they are getting out by hitting high …”

131-8 after 19.3 overs: Jordan to Wasim (4), OUT CAUGHT

131-7 after 19.2 overs: Jordan to Wasim, no run

131-7 after 19.1 overs: Jordan to Wasim, no run

@MkamrulHaq says “Nawaz gone and so also Pakistan gone”.

Let’s see how Shaheen and Wasim do.

Mohammad Wasim 4 (5), Shaheen Shah Afridi 1 (1)

131-7 after 19 overs: Curran to Wasim, 1 run

130-7 after 18.5 overs: Curran to Wasim, no run

130-7 after 18.4 overs: Curran to Shaheen, 1 run

129-7 after 18.3 overs: Curran to Nawaz (5), OUT CAUGHT

129-6 after 18.2 overs: Curran to Nawaz, 2 runs

127-6 after 18.1 overs: Curran to Nawaz, no run

Sports journalist Emmad Hameed has higlighted that a low total can be defended. “Lowest total defended in a T20 World Cup final: 137 by West Indies - Colombo 2012. SL were rolled over for 101 in reply.”

Mohammad Wasim 3 (3), Mohammad Nawaz 3 (4)

127-6 after 18 overs: Jordan to Wasim, no run

127-6 after 17.5 overs: Jordan to Nawaz, 1 run

126-6 after 17.4 overs: Jordan to Wasim, 3 runs

123-6 after 17.3 overs: Jordan to Wasim, no run

@EshaSayss05 says even 150 runs seem difficult now.

123-6 after 17.2 overs: Jordan to Shadab (20), OUT CAUGHT

123-5 after 17.1 overs: Jordan to Nawaz, 1 run

Shadab Khan 20 (13), Mohammad Nawaz 1 (2)

Comment: Just when it seemed that Shan, after having done the hard work, would accelerate, he holes out. Nawaz is the new man in.

122-5 after 17 overs: Curran to Shadab, no run

122-5 after 16.5 overs: Curran to Nawaz, 1 run

121-5 after 16.4 overs: Curran to Nawaz, no run

121-5 after 16.3 overs: Curran to Masood (38), OUT CAUGHT

121-4 after 16.2 overs: Curran to Masood, no run

121-4 after 16.1 overs: Curran to Masood, 2 runs

Impressed by the performance of Shan Masood and Shadab Khan, @irajmallickimam says marry me Shadab.

Before that, she said, “marry me Shan Masood”.

Shan Masood 36 (25), Shadab Khan 20 (12)

119-4 after 16 overs: Stokes to Masood, 1 run

118-4 after 15.5 overs: Stokes to Shadab, 3 runs

115-4 after 15.4 overs: Stokes to Masood, 1 run

114-4 after 15.3 overs: Stokes to Shadab, 1 run

113-4 after 15.2 overs: Stokes to Shadab, 4 runs

109-4 after 15.2 overs: Stokes to Shadab, 1 run wide

108-4 after 15.1 overs: Stokes to Shadab, 2 runs

Shadab Khan 10 (8), Shan Masood 34 (23)

106-4 after 15 overs: Jordan to Shadab, 1 run

105-4 after 14.5 overs: Jordan to Masood, 1 run

104-4 after 14.4 overs: Jordan to Masood, 4 runs

100-4 after 14.3 overs: Jordan to Shadab, 1 run

99-4 after 14.2 overs: Jordan to Masood, 1 run

98-4 after 14.1 overs: Jordan to Masood, no run

@shettykiran says if Pakistan gets anywhere near 150 then she reckons that they will win this with their bowling superiority. “Not easy to score on this two-faced surface.”

Former Pakistan cricketer Yasir Hameed is feeling optimistic. He says this is not high scoring pitch so “anything 150 plus is winning score for us”.

Cricketer Brad Hogg says Adil Rashid has not had the best year, but in the games that count he has risen to the moment. “Finals Fever. Well bowled.”

Shadab Khan 8 (6), Shan Masood 28 (19)

98-4 after 14 overs: Rashid to Shadab, no run

98-4 after 13.5 overs: Rashid to Masood, 1 run

97-4 after 13.4 overs: Rashid to Shadab, 1 run

96-4 after 13.3 overs: Rashid to Shadab, 4 runs

92-4 after 13.2 overs: Rashid to Masood, 1 run

91-4 after 13.1 overs: Rashid to Shadab, 1 run

@Napoha_ says Babar was the key. The anchor. “Him going down early triggers an early collapse. It doesn’t look good now. Shan has to play till the end now.”

Shadab Khan 2 (2), Shan Masood 26 (17)

Comment: Iftikhar with a horrible 10-minute cameo. He wastes six balls before nicking one back to the keeper and leaves Pakistan four down. Poor chap will catch some flak now. Shadab is the new man in.

90-4 after 13 overs: Stokes to Shadab, 1 run

89-4 after 12.5 overs: Stokes to Masood, 1 run

88-4 after 12.4 overs: Stokes to Masood, 2 runs

86-4 after 12.3 overs: Stokes to Shadab, 1 run

85-4 after 12.2 overs: Stokes to Iftikhar (0), OUT

85-3 after 12.1 overs: Stokes to Masood, 1 run

The turning pitch at Melbourne has claimed the wickets of Rizwan, Haris, Babar and now Iftikhar. Former skipper Sana Mir says: “This pitch is turning at MCG.”

Iftikhar Ahmed 0 (5), Shan Masood 23 (14)

Comment: Adil Rashid with another outstanding over. He dupes Babar with a googly, gets him caught and bowled and then troubles new man Iftikhar for the rest of the over. It’s a wicket maiden.

84-3 after 12 overs: Rashid to Iftikhar, no run

84-3 after 11.5 overs: Rashid to Iftikhar, no run

84-3 after 11.4 overs: Rashid to Iftikhar, no run

84-3 after 11.3 overs: Rashid to Iftikhar, no run

84-3 after 11.2 overs: Rashid to Iftikhar, no run

With Babar Azam getting out, journalist Zebunnisa Burki summed up Pakistanis’ feelings perfectly: “Uh, what just happened?”

84-3 after 11.1 overs: Rashid to Babar (32), OUT

@Divyara92868511 says Babar Azam is one step away from becoming the prime minister of Pakistan.

Shan Masood 23 (14), Babar Azam 32 (27)

Comment: With spin on, risk had to be taken and Shan does exactly that. Slaps Livingstone for a four and then dances down the track for a straight six. 16 off it. Pakistan needed that.

84-2 after 11 overs: Livingstone to Masood, 2 runs

82-2 after 10.5 overs: Livingstone to Masood, 6 RUNS

76-2 after 10.5 overs: Livingstone to Masood, 1 run wide

75-2 after 10.4 overs: Livingstone to Masood, 4 runs

71-2 after 10.3 overs: Livingstone to Masood, no run

71-2 after 10.2 overs: Livingstone to Babar, 1 run

70-2 after 10.1 overs: Livingstone to Babar, 2 runs

Faisal Iqbal says Babar Azam “needs to anchor this Pakistan innings” as “everyone else around plays with him!”

Comment: Pakistan happy to just rotate the strike against Adil Rashid. No risks taken. 9 off it.

Shan Masood 11 (10), Babar Azam 29 (25)

68-2 after 10 overs: Rashid to Masood, 2 runs

66-2 after 10 overs: Rashid to Masood, 1 run wide

65-2 after 9.5 overs: Rashid to Babar, 1 run

64-2 after 9.4 overs: Rashid to Masood, 1 run

63-2 after 9.3 overs: Rashid to Babar, 1 run

62-2 after 9.2 overs: Rashid to Masood, 1 run

61-2 after 9.1 overs: Rashid to Masood, 2 runs

Babar Azam 28 (23), Shan Masood 5 (6)

59-2 after 9 overs: Jordan to Babar, no run

59-2 after 8.5 overs: Jordan to Masood, 1 run

58-2 after 8.4 overs: Jordan to Masood, 2 runs

56-2 after 8.3 overs: Jordan to Babar, 1 run

55-2 after 8.2 overs: Jordan to Babar, 4 runs

51-2 after 8.1 overs: Jordan to Masood, 1 run

After Haris was caught out by Ben Stokes after a loose shot, Twitterati @Khaaki79 tweeted this timeless meme.

Comment: Pakistan were told to be wary of English pace and go after their spin. Young Haris takes his chance against Adil Rashid and is hold out at long on. Buttler’s decision to introduce Adil Rashid pays off on the very first ball. Quiet over otherwise. Just 5 off it and a wicket.

Babar Azam 22 (20), Shan Masood 1 (3)

50-2 after 8 overs: Rashid to Babar, 2 runs

48-2 after 7.5 overs: Rashid to Babar, 2 runs

46-2 after 7.4 overs: Rashid to Masood, 1 run

45-2 after 7.3 overs: Rashid to Masood, no run

45-2 after 7.2 overs: Rashid to Masood, no run

45-2 after 7.1 overs: Rashid to Haris (8), OUT CAUGHT

@Ansupernal says Haris is showing “positive intent” but Sam Curran on spot throughout the tournament.

Mohammad Haris 8 (11), Babar Azam 18 (18)

45-1 after 7 overs: Stokes to Haris, 1 run

44-1 after 6.5 overs: Stokes to Haris, 2 runs

42-1 after 6.4 overs: Stokes to Haris, no run

42-1 after 6.3 overs: Stokes to Babar, 1 run

41-1 after 6.2 overs: Stokes to Haris, 1 run

40-1 after 6.1 overs: Stokes to Babar, 1 run

Mohammad Haris 4 (7), Babar Azam 16 (16)

39-1 after 6 overs: Woakes to Haris, 4 runs

35-1 after 6 overs: Woakes to Haris, 1 run wide

34-1 after 5.5 overs: Woakes to Haris, no run

34-1 after 5.4 overs: Woakes to Haris, no run

34-1 after 5.3 overs: Woakes to Babar, 1 run

33-1 after 5.2 overs: Woakes to Babar, 4 runs

29-1 after 5.1 overs: Woakes to Babar, no run

But after all this, the best advice comes from @Rashk_e_Qamar1, who says “relax guys, abhi to start hai”.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has given best wishes and prayers for the Pakistan team to win the final and bring home the T20 World Cup 2022.

Mohammad Haris 0 (4), Babar Azam 11 (13)

Comment: Pakistan lose first wicket as Rizwan plays one on back to his stumps a ball after picking up a mini-injury while diving to make the crease. Sam Curran strikes. The next man in is Mohammad Haris, who as we know likes to take his chances. Just one off the over.

29-1 after 5 overs: Curran to Haris, no run

29-1 after 4.5 overs: Curran to Haris, no run

29-1 after 4.4 overs: Curran to Haris, no run

29-1 after 4.3 overs: Curran to Haris, no run

29-1 after 4.2 overs: Curran to Rizwan (15), OUT

29-0 after 4.1 overs: Curran to Babar, 1 run

It’s a clear day today. Bret Wilson says: “Either the weather gods are smiling on Pakistan matches in Melbourne or the Bureau of Meteorology needs to get better meteorologists.” Rain, rain go away, we say.

Comment: Rizwan does Rizzy things. He goes down on one knee and sweeps Woakes for the first six of the final. Extraordinary shot, that! You do that to a spinner not a pacer. Babar finds 3 as 12 off the over in total.

Babar Azam 10 (12), Mohammad Rizwan 15 (13)

28-0 after 4 overs: Woakes to 3 runs

25-0 after 3.5 overs: Woakes to Rizwan, 1 run

24-0 after 3.4 overs: Woakes to Rizwan, no run

24-0 after 3.3 overs: Woakes to Babar, 1 run

23-0 after 3.2 overs: Woakes to Rizwan, 1 run

22-0 after 3.1 overs: Woakes to Rizwan, 6 RUNS

Astute analysis from Twitterati Keshavv Khandelwal. “Pakistan batted first in the 1992 WC Final too. Just saying…”

Comment: Tight over by Sam Curran. Just four off it and some swing as usual. No hearts in mouths moments though. Pakistan have seen off the early exchanges without any real scare.

Babar Azam 6 (10), Mohammad Rizwan 7 (9)

16-0 after 3 overs: Curran to Babar, no run

16-0 after 2.5 overs: Curran to Babar, no run

16-0 after 2.4 overs: Curran to Rizwan, 1 run

15-0 after 2.3 overs: Curran to Rizwan, 2 runs

13-0 after 2.2 overs: Curran to Babar, 1 run

12-0 after 2.1 overs: Curran to Babar, no run

Mohammad Rizwan 4 (7), Babar Azam 5 (6)

12-0 after 2 overs: Woakes to Rizwan, no run

12-0 after 1.5 overs: Woakes to Babar, 1 run

11-0 after 1.4 overs: Woakes to Rizwan, 1 run

10-0 after 1.3 overs: Woakes to Babar, 1 run

9-0 after 1.2 overs: Woakes to Babar, no run

9-0 after 1.1 overs: Woakes to Babar, no run

9-0 after 1.1 overs: Woakes to Babar, 1 run wide

Comment: Double bonus for Pakistan to start with as Ben Stokes starts with a no-ball and a wide. Rizwan does not connect on the free hit though. Rizwan tries sneaking a single later in the over and is almost run out. Direct hit would have had him walking back but Chris Jordan misses the throw at non-striker’s end from mid-on. Stokes does gets movement in the over, which could keep Pak openers honest in early exchanges.

Babar Azam 3 (2), Mohammad Rizwan 3 (5)

8-0 after 1 over: Stokes to Babar, 3 runs

5-0 after 0.5 over: Stokes to Babar, no run

5-0 after 0.4 over: Stokes to Rizwan, 1 run

4-0 after 0.3 over: Stokes to Rizwan, no run

4-0 after 0.2 over: Stokes to Rizwan, 2 runs

2-0 after 0.1 over: Stokes to Rizwan, no run

2-0 after 0.1 over: Stokes to Rizwan, 1 run wide

1-0 after 0.1 over: Stokes to Rizwan, 1 run, no ball

1:01pm: The first ball of the match will be bowled shortly.

12:54pm: The national anthems are being played.

12:52pm: Check out what Dawn.com has to say about the key factors for the match.

12:50pm: Australian rock band Icehouse kicks off a “rocking start” to the final.

12:49pm: Check out who is Pakistan’s match-winner who brings ‘fire and life’.

12:48pm: Read what is all the fuss about Pakistan coach Saqlan Musthaq’s Qudrat Ka Nizam line.

12:46pm: Pakistan mentor Matthew Hayden says team is taking inspiration from ’92 win over England.

12:44pm: Read what Azam has to say about what Pakistan must do to win.

12:43pm: Journalist George Dobell says it’s “fair to say Pakistan has more support in the stadium”. “Bottom tier of MCG full of green shirts.”

12:30pm: Match lineups are in:

Pakistan: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

England: Jos Buttler (capt & wk), Alex Hales, Phil Salt, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid.

12:30pm: England win toss, opt to bowl first.