Pakistan lead Twenty20 series 3-2

 

Fifth Twenty20 International, Lahore

 England Vs Pakistan

Pakistan 145 off 19 ov, Rizwan 63 off 46, 2 fours, 3 sixes, Wood 3-20, Curran 2-23, Willey 2-23,  Woakes 1-30

England 139-7 off 20 ov Mooen Ali 51 no off 37, 2 fours, 5 sixes, MALAN 36 off 35, 6 fours, Rauf 2-41, Jamal 1-13, Iftikhar 1-16, M Wasim 1-32, Nawaz 1-9

England won the toss and decided to field.

Pakistan won by six runs lead the series 3-2

 

Pakistan took a 3-2 lead in their twenty20 series against England with a six-run victory in a low-scoring match in Lahore.

 

Chasing just 146 for the win, England never recovered from a poor start of 31-3 inside five overs. Captain Moeen Ali whose unbeaten 51, two fours and four sixes, left England chasing 15 runs off the last over, but some superb death bowling from Aamir Jamal reduced them to 139-7. Moeen smashed Jamal’s third ball over long on for six England needed eight off three balls. At this point, victory was within England’s grasp.  But Jamal nailed his wide Yorkers, as Moeen could only scramble a single from two balls leaving David Willey needing a six to take it into a Super over.  He could only hit the ball to long on and didn’t bother with the single, Pakistan winning by six runs. 

 

 

Earlier Mark Wood took 3-20 as Pakistan were bowled out for 145 after 19 overs. Mohammed Rizwan scored 63 off 46 deliveries.

 

Pakistan’s innings were full of poor shorts and indecision reducing them to 63-3 at halfway stage. But Rizwan reached his half-century for the fourth time in five matches although he was dropped on nine by Alex Hales.

The next match takes place in Lahore on Friday.