The 30-year-old, who made 171 appearances for England in all formats but has not featured since the World Cup last year, top-scored with an unbeaten 71 off 43 balls against Lahore Qalandars at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

His innings included three fours and four maximums to boost the Kings’ total to to 178 for five. Compatriot James Vince, who was named in England’s ICC World T20 squad earlier this week, made seven.

Bopara then took six for 16, including the key wickets of West Indies pair Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo and Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal, to inspire his side to a 27-run victory.

Bopara’s were the second best figures by an English bowler in a Twenty20 match, bettered only by the world record six for five Malaysian-born Arul Suppiah took for Somerset against Glamorgan in 2011.