And here’s Babar Azam. He feels Pakistan let England get 20-30 too many, with the fast bowlers not at their best, and then they didn’t get enough momentum with the bat. Asked if he regrets his decision to chase, he says “No. We have been chasing well, but after the first six overs, we were not continuing our partnerships.” But he’s looking forward to the final match.
Aren’t we all, Babar? This has been a cracking series, and not content with amazing us by dishing up a lethal English spin trident, it is about to deliver something cricket has been missing all summer: a decider. That’s on Tuesday, 6.30pm, at Old Trafford, where the leggies will be licking their lips again.
I was wrong, by the way, about Player of the Match, which has gone to Moeen Ali, for making that gorgeous 36 as well as taking two wickets. Buttler was robbed, but he’s probably got enough awards on his mantelpiece. Thanks for your company, and the match report will be along soon.