England heads into T20 World Cup title defense with 2-0 series win over Pakistan

LONDON (AP) - England will head into the defense of its T20 World Cup title on the back of a 2-0 series victory over Pakistan after coasting to a seven-wicket win in their fourth and final match at The Oval on Thursday.

After restricting Pakistan to 157 all out, England powered to its target with 27 balls remaining largely thanks to Phil Salt's 45 and Jos Buttler's 39 in their opening stand of 82.

Harry Brook (17 not out) saw England home with a six, with Jonny Bairstow in the middle with him on 28 off 16.

Two of the matches in the series were washed out, denting the World Cup preparations of both teams.

The tournament staged jointly in the United States and the Caribbean starts Saturday, with England's opening match against Scotland in Barbados on Tuesday and Pakistan playing for the first time on June 6 against the U.S.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket