Tom Banton: The English opening batsman accepted the opportunity of opening the innings with both his hands at the Old Trafford.
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During the first T20I of the ongoing Pakistan’s tour of England in Manchester, England opening batsman Tom Banton registered his maiden T20I half-century to accept the opportunity of batting at his preferred position with both hands.
Had it not been for Jason Roy’s injury, Banton might have played this match as a middle-order batsman or might even have sat out. Opening the batting with wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow (2), Banton stitched a 71-run partnership alongside Dawid Malan (23).
It was on the penultimate delivery of the second over that Banton hit a boundary off Pakistan speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi to score his first boundary. Disciplined bowling from the visitors meant that Banton could hit only one more boundary in the powerplay.
However, a slow start was converted into a whirlwind innings after the introduction of Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan into the attack. Facing the first delivery from the leg-spinner, Banton tonked him for a huge six through the mid-wicket region.
On the first two deliveries of Shadab’s next over, Banton continued the assault against him to score two more sixes. With all these shots crossing the boundary comfortably, it spoke highly about Banton’s skills especially against the spinners.
It was on the first delivery of the 11th over that Banton ran a single off Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim to complete his half-century. Aiming glory against Shadab in his third over, Banton mis-timed a delivery only to sky it to Wasim at extra cover.
Having scored 20 (19) at one stage, Banton ended up scoring 71 (42) with the help of four fours and five sixes to impress one and all after Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and invited England in to bat.
Tom Banton tonks Shadab Khan for imposing sixes
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