England level T20 series despite Babar equalling Kohli's record

Pakistan captain Babar Azam enjoyed another record-setting outing in T20 cricket but could not stop England from levelling the T20 series in Lahore on Friday.

Azam hit a 59-ball 87 not out that helped the hosts post 169-6 in the sixth T20 International. That, however, was not enough as Phil Salt smashed a career-best 41-ball 88 not out to help England prevail by eight wickets.

The England opener smashed three sixes and 13 fours in the third fastest half century by an England batsman in the shorter format to help his team chase down a target of 170 in just 14.3 overs.

Salt's fiery knock overshadowed Azam's innings that saw the Pakistan skipper equal India star Virat Kohli's record of the fastest man to 3,000 runs in T20 cricket.

“Thought the way we batted in particular was outstanding,” England captain Moeen Ali said. “Shows if you stick to the process, you don’t have to slog, you can play proper shots. And I thought the seamers were outstanding.”

In the absence of rested fast bowler Haris Rauf and an ill Naseem Shah, Pakistan’s pace bowlers struggled to halt Salt’s power-hitting.

A superb strike to get to a special milestone