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.
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 captain Eoin Morgan.
That laid the platform for Billings to use terrific improvisation to plunder runs all round the ground.
The young wicketkeeper, deputising for the rested Jos Buttler, hit two sixes and five fours in a stand of 65 with Morgan who finished unbeaten on 45.
Pakistan lost three early wickets and never looked like chasing down their target, Sohail Tanvir top-scoring with 25 not out as seamers Reece Topley and Liam Plunkett took three wickets each.
The second game in the three-match series is in Dubai on Friday.
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