Watch: Jos Buttler nailed an audacious scoop shot off Naseem Shah, keeping England ticking despite the youngster delivering an excellent over.
The opening exchanges of England’s chase witnessed plenty of cut and thrust from both sides, with Jos Buttler standing tall as Pakistan struck regularly at the other end.
Alex Hales fell for a single and Phil Salt made 10, but Buttler motored along, driving Naseem sweetly twice through the covers. The 19-year-old stepped up a gear in his next over, beating Buttler’s bat five times. However, England somehow still scored 11 runs, with a delivery down the leg-side beating both Buttler and the diving Mohammad Rizwan, and Buttler striking six off the other delivery.
Desperate not to get tied down, Buttler opted for a piece of premeditated invention, moving across his stumps to scoop Naseem over fine leg. He connected to perfection, sending the ball 87 metres back to the amazement of those watching.
Ian Smith summed up his bafflement: “For Jos Buttler to play that shot to a length delivery, where they wanted him to bowl it, around off stump, and you do that to it? You do that to that delivery?”
Watch Buttler scoop Naseem below:
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