England defeats Pakistan by 14 Runs in first T 20 cricket match at Dubai international stadium
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DUBAI: Sam Billings played an inspired innings to help England to a comfortable 14-run victory in the first Twenty20 international against Pakistan on Thursday. Billings smashed 53 off 25 balls to lift England to a competitive total of 160 for five on a slow pitch and Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals in their reply. I've been on the sidelines watching the guys smash it everywhere. It's the nature of the job - you've just got to be ready," man-of-the-match Billings told Sky Sports. "How I played is a credit to Morgy (captain Eoin Morgan) - he said 'play your way, play exactly how you got here in the first place'. Against a seriously decent attack, it's really pleasing to make a contribution." England, who won the toss, slumped to 19 for three before James Vince, who made 41 on his debut, shared a third-wicket partnership of 76 with Morgan. That laid the platform for Billings to use terrific improvisation to plunder runs all round the ground. "Tonight was a really strong performance in which we showed a lot of character. To come back from 19-3 and then to defend 160 was really good," Morgan said. "It is always a good sign of a changing-room when players who haven't played all tour come out and perform - I'm really proud of them." Reference: ibtimes
