Alex Hales and Luke Wood stars in England's victory

Luke Wood's excellent bowling performance on debut and Alex Hales' match-winning half-century helped England to win the first T20I against Pakistan by 6 wickets. England now lead the seven-match T20I series by 1-0.

As it Happened:-

England won the toss and opted to bowl first at National Stadium, Karachi. Pakistan got off to a great start as they scored 51 runs in the Powerplay. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam smashed England bowlers all around the ground.

Mohammad Rizwan reached his 17th T20I half-century, he also equalled Babar Azam's record as the fastest man to score 2000 T20I runs. Adil Rashid provided the first breakthrough to England as he dismissed Pakistan Skipper on 31(24). 

Sam Curran dismissed Haider Ali on 11(13) and Moeen Ali got the big wicket of Rizwan who scored 68(46). After the good start in the first 10 overs, Pakistan only managed to score 71 runs in the last 10 overs. Iftikhar Ahmed's 28(17) helped the hosts to post 158 runs on the scoreboard. 

Chasing the target, England lost the first wicket of Philip Salt on 10(10). Usman Qadir dismissed Dawid Malan on  20(15) and Ben Duckett on 21(17). 

With 52 needed from 36, Hales and Harry Brook took on Pakistan bowlers. Hales scored his ninth T20I fifty on a comeback. Hales was dismissed by Haris Rauf on 53(40) in the 17th over. Harry Brook's magnificent innings of 42(25) helped England to chase down the total in just 19.2 overs. The second T20I of the seven-match series will be played on Thursday at the same ground.

" We utilized the batting powerplay well, but we let the momentum slip after the 10th over. Credit to their bowlers, but we were not up to the mark and we didn't get enough big partnerships. Our batters need to step up". - Babar Azam, Pakistan captain 

"Brilliant performance, they got off to a great start, but we pulled things back in the middle overs, the bowlers were excellent. Those crucial wickets around the 10th over made a difference". - Moeen Ali, England captain