Ben Stokes was already an England great before securing their T20 World Cup victory on Sunday. His performances in the 2019 World Cup final and his famous Test-winning innings at Headingley later that summer ensured that. But in Melbourne he brought all of his experience from those occasions to the final against Pakistan to write another chapter in his brilliant career. It did not matter what was happening at the other end, as England's slipped to 45-3 and 84-4 in pursuit of 138. While Stokes was there England were always going to win. He reads situations while soaking up and dealing with pressure better than anyone in that team. 

Jonathan Agnew a foreign media cricket correspondent viewed, ‘As I have said before, I have always found it extraordinary that people thought Stokes should not be in England's side at this World Cup. I now hope he reverses his decision to retire from one-day internationals, allowing him to join England's bid to defend their 50-over World Cup title next year.I know, as Test captain, he has a lot on with a home Ashes series to come next year - that is why he chose to step aside from the ODI format earlier in the summer. He obviously has fitness issues too, largely with his left knee.

I worried for England after the lacklustre manner in which they were beaten by Ireland in the group stage but they took all the momentum of the wins after that into the knockout stages. When they so comprehensively beat New Zealand in a must-win match in Brisbane, I first thought 'yes, they are going to win this'. Jos Buttler did an excellent job as captain, having clear plans but being clever enough to switch it up when the situation required. In that win over New Zealand, against India in the semi-final and against Pakistan he bowled the right people at the right time and that is the most important part of T20 captaincy.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-INP