Sam Billings 25 ball 50 was second fastest for England in T20I © Getty Images
Dubai: England after winning the Toss elected to bat first in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) against Pakistan at Dubai. Eoin Morgan wasted on time in deciding that batting is the right choice for them as the pitch looked slow and flat. Sam Billings second fastest 50 for England in T20I helped his team reach a match winning total of 160. Skipper Eoin Morgan chipped in with 45 not out and debutant James Vince scored a 36-ball 41 as England knocked 59 runs in the final five overs. For Pakistan, left-arm paceman Sohail Tanvir was the pick of bowler taking 2-31 with Anwar Ali and Wahab Riaz chipping in with one wicket each. Pakistan need 161 to win in 20 overs to lead the 3 match series. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs England 2015,1st T20I at Dubai
England opened the batting with ODI centurion Alex Hales and Jason Roy who impressed one and all with his batting. England got off to an horrendous start losing Hales, Roy and Moeen Ali in quick intervals. Sohail Tanvir was the chief destroyer early in the innings picking up the Roy and Ali in a span of two overs. Anwar Ali got the wicket of Alex Hales who looked for his one boundary.Pakistan are without all-rounder Shoaib Malik, who was ruled out with a finger injury, and opener Ahmed Shehzad, who suffered an upset stomach. Pakistan gave a first Twenty20 cap to opener Rafatullah Mohmand, who at 39 years and 20 days became the oldest player from a Test-playing country to make his T20 debut. LIVE UPDATES: Pakistan vs England 2015, 1st T20I at Dubai
The remaining two matches in the series will be played again in Dubai on Friday and Sharjah on Monday.
Brief scores:
England 160 for five in 20 overs (Sam Billings 53, Eoin Morgan 45*; Sohail Tanvir 2 for 31) vs Pakistan.