Billings, Morgan and Plunkett lead England to victory over Pakistan in Dubai

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England batsman Eoin Morgan. AP Photo

DUBAI // The last time England and Pakistan played at Dubai International Stadium, a wicket-keeper batsman who has more shots at his disposal than Jebel Ali Shooting Club stole the limelight with a coruscating display of strokeplay.

The same thing broadly applied this time around, too, only the format and the identity of the player were different. Jos Buttler, who scored England’s fastest one-day international hundred to seal that series at this stadium last weekend, was deemed surplus to requirements by the touring side this time.

He was rested for the opening fixture of this three-match T20 series, so Sam Billings took the gloves instead, and he took the initiative with the bat, too.

Despite being the last of the six England batsmen who made it to the crease, he top scored, with an inventive 53 from 25 balls. His was the seminal effort in England’s 14-run win over Pakistan.

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Billings’ sparkling cameo was not the only repair job in an England innings that had threatened to blow out before it had even started.

This match was a sell out, but when it started the stands were barely half full. The England top order might as well have been stuck in the Hessa Street traffic, too, for all the use they were.

Mired at 19 for three, the tourists were indebted to a fine effort from James Vince on debut to lay any sort of platform.

Realistically, this was Vince’s first chance in international cricket. He has nominally played a one-day international, too, but that was a wash out when England toured Ireland in May.

Granted an opportunity at No 3 in place of Joe Root, he showed up well, eking out 41 from 36. When he was eventually out, bowled by Wahab Riaz, he almost cleaned out his stumps with an angry swish of his bat before wisely bailing out.

His departure led to the arrival of Billings, who scored 53 out of a stand of 65 with his captain Eoin Morgan, which was only ended on the last ball of the innings.

Faced with a target of 161 to win, Pakistan never realistically challenged. Liam Plunkett, no doubt irked by the fact he has been stood down for England’s next Test tour, to South Africa, despite not being given a chance to impress in the long format here, took three wickets.

Pakistan’s chase was again pockmarked with comic running between the wickets. Umar Akmal was dismissed only after the third umpire was asked to intervene to decide which of he or Sohaib Maqsood had made it to the wrong end first, while being run out at the other.

Although Sohail Tanvir and Wahab railed against the inevitable at the bottom of the Pakistan order, England clinched a 1-0 lead ahead of tonight’s second match at the same venue.

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