Pakistan take the lead in the best-of-seven T20 series with England after recording a six-run victory in the fifth fixture in Lahore on Wednesday night.
In the first game since the two teams moved from Karachi, the high-scoring exploits of the previous quartet of matches was not on show, the sides instead having to battle for their runs.
Having bowled Pakistan all out for 145 with an over to spare, England appeared in total control, but they fell six runs short at 139-7 despite an unbeaten half-century from Moeen Ali.
Mohammad Rizwan was the hero with the bat for Pakistan, the opener putting together a disciplined 63 from 46 balls as eight partners were dismissed while he was at the crease.
Only Iftikhar Ahmed (15) and Aamer Jamal (10) reached double figures as England's four pace bowlers shared the 10 wickets between them.
Mark Wood was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-20, but David Willey and Sam Curran (2-23 each) and Chris Woakes (1-30) played their part.
Pakistan beat England by six runs to take 3-2 lead in seven-match T20I series 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/7mfK2rdW8r
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 28, 2022
The contest appeared well set for the tourists to retake the lead in the series, but it soon became apparent that Pakistan remained more than competitive in the match.
Although England were reduced to 31-3 off five overs, Dawid Malan put together a valuable 36 from 35 balls, keeping his team ticking along but behind the required run-rate.
After Harry Brook went for just four, it was left to Moeen to try to play a captain's innings alongside Curran and Woakes towards the bottom of the order.
They each went for 17 and 10 respectively, but Moeen mixed patience with big-hitting, recording two fours and four sixes in a 35-ball fifty.
However, trying to knock off 15 from the final over proved to be too much, Jamal starring with the ball in the final over on debut to keep England at bay.
Darren Plant
