All-rounder Moeen Ali praised Eoin Morgan for the role the England limited-overs captain has played in his return to form after he struck a fine 61 from 33 balls, albeit in a losing cause, in the third and final T20I versus Pakistan late on Tuesday.
Moeen’s knock wasn’t enough to prevent England from slipping to a five-run defeat that saw the three-match series drawn 1-1, with 39-year-old Mohammad Hafeez (86 not out) and 35-year-old Wahab Riaz (2/26) playing crucial roles for Pakistan that helped them salvage some pride before returning home.
In reply to Pakistan’s 190/4, England finished at 185/8. Nevertheless, it was a welcome return to form for the Royal Challengers Bangalore all-rounder as he can now approach his coming assignments in a better frame of mind.
“It’s obviously disappointing to lose, but it was nice to gets some runs under my belt,” Moeen told reporters. “Lot of credit will go to Morgs. He gives me responsibility, with being vice-captain and doing a team talk here and there.
Brief scores: Pakistan 190/4 in 20 ovs (M. Hafeez 86 n.o.). England 185/8 in 20 ovs (M. Ali 61; W. Riaz 2/26). Pakistan won by 5 runs.
