Part 2/7:
In the early hours of the day, Australian captain Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bowl first, a decision likely influenced by recent practice sessions. The conditions appeared to favor batting, with previous games in Lahore highlighted by high scores, leading fans to believe that run accumulation would not be an issue in this particular match.
England Makes Their Mark
Australia's opening bowler, Spencer Johnson, faced early pressure from England’s batsmen, particularly Phil Salt and Harry Brook, who capitalized on the conditions to score runs swiftly. The pitch showed little swing, allowing the English batsmen to find their rhythm early on. Each run became crucial as England aimed to put a challenging total on the board.