BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Pace bowler Jofra Archer claimed two wickets in his long-awaited return to international cricket to help England beat Pakistan by 23 runs in a Twenty20 at Edgbaston on Saturday.
This was Archer’s first international appearance in 14 months, but he had not played for his country on English soil since 2020 after an injury-plagued few years.
He bounced back after a costly first over, which went for 15 runs to finish with 2-28 and help England dismiss Pakistan for 160 chasing 184.
England’s 183-7 was largely reduced to a stunning half-century from captain Josh Buttler, who hit three sixes on his way to 84 before a five-wicket collapse for 25 runs left the door open for Pakistan .
Fakhar Zaman ensured Pakistan made a strong start to their chase with 45 off 21 balls, but Reece Topley took three wickets and Moeen Ali and Archer claimed two each.
They helped England kick-start their World T20 preparations with a win after Wednesday’s washout at Leeds.
Buttler resisted the temptation to open the bowling with Archer and went with Ali, which paid off when Mohammad Rizwan picked Liam Livingston at mid-on to depart for a duck.
England were well on top when Tolley bowled Saim Ayub from his second over but brought Fakhar to the crease.
While Fakhar bowled his first delivery against Ali in the slips, he unleashed a run of fours from each of his first five deliveries.
Archer received the ball and Fakhar reminded him how brutal international cricket can be.
After Babar Azam hit Archer’s second delivery behind his head for four, Fakhar finished the over with a ramp shot for six as Pakistan ended the powerplay on 55-2.
With the match in the balance, Buttler turned to Ali and Adil Rashid, who silenced a partisan crowd dominated by Pakistan.
Ali took the crucial wicket of Babar for 32 when he pinned him in front lbw and Rashid backed it up with the dismissal of Shadab Khan.
Pakistan reached the halfway point on 80-4 before Archer got into the act. His first delivery of his second spell hit 90 mph (145 km/h) and accounted for wicketkeeper Azam Khan, who linked up with Ali at cover.
England’s stranglehold increased when Fakhar’s scintillating innings came to an end after he skied Livingstone off the onrushing Harry Brook at mid-off.
Archer returns for another one-over spell, which brought the wicket of Imad Wasim.
Topley completed the job when Sahin Afridi swept Phil Salt to give Topley figures of 3-41.
Pakistan captain Babar had earlier made Archer wait for his chance with the ball when he put England into bat, but Buttler signaled his intent with two scorching fours down the ground from Shaheen’s second over.
The early introduction of left-arm spinner Imad represented Salt cheaply, but Will Jacks joined forces with Buttler and took 15 runs off Haris Rauf, which included a sumptuous drive for the first six of the day.
Jacks impressed and put on 71 with Buttler before Rauf ended his fine knock on 37 to deny him a maiden T20 fifty.
Buttler had already targeted Sandhab at this point, and after reaching his half-century with a superb shot ramp from Rauf, the England captain accelerated.
A reverse sweep for another maximum proved the catalyst for Shadab’s final over to go for 20 runs, but the home side’s momentum was checked when Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal on 144-2 sparked a collapse.
England lost their next five wickets for 25 runs and this allowed Archer to make an unexpected cameo of 12 not out to put on 184 to win, which proved too much for Pakistan.
England lead the four-match series 1-0. The third leg is on Tuesday in Cardiff.