Pakistan clinched a thriller in Karachi on Sunday to beat England by three runs and level the seven-match series at 2-2. Chasing a 167-run target, England were well on course when they reached 134/7 at the end of 17 overs.
It got even better for them when Liam Dawson plundered 24 runs in the 18th over bowled by Mohammad Hasnain. With only 9 required off the last two overs, England looked a comfortable winner, but Haris Rauf delivered an outstanding 19th over, scalping Dawson (34 off 17 balls) and Ollie Stone off successive balls. He conceded only 5 runs.
Nine down, England still had a good chance with only 4 required off the last six balls. But Reece Topley was run out off the second ball of the over to the delight of the Pakistan players and the home crowd. Besides Lawson, Ben Duckett (33) and Harry Brook (34) were once again the main scorers for England.
Rauf (3/32) was best Pakistan bowler, while Mohammad Nawaz (3/35) too was among the wickets. Earlier, asked to bat first, Pakistan lost their way after a 97-run opening stand between Mohammad Rizwan (88 off 67 balls) and captain Babar Azam (36 off 28 balls), finishing on 166/4.
Brief scores: Pakistan 166/4 in 20 ovs (Md Rizwan 88; Reece Topley 2/37). England 163 in 19.2 ovs (Liam Dawson 34; Haris Rauf 3/32, Md Nawaz 3/35). Pakistan won by 3 runs.
