Pakistan down England in fifth T20I to lead series 3-2

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 06 Jan 2023

Pakistan defeated England by five runs in the fifth T20I to lead the seven-match series 3-2.

The home side successfully defended the 146-run targets by restricting the opposition to 139/7 in 20 overs.

England needed 15 off the final over but debutant Aamer Jamal (1/13) held his nerve against the experienced Moeen (51 not out) to get Pakistan over the line.

Haris Rauf (2/41) was impressed with the ball and five other Pakistan bowlers claimed a wicket each.

Earlier, England fast bowler Mark Wood’s express pace helped the tourists bowl out Pakistan for a below-par 145 in the fifth T20 international in Lahore on Wednesday.

Wood – playing only his second international since undergoing elbow surgery – took 3-20 after the home team was sent in to bat at Gaddafi Stadium.

Wood’s fellow pacers Sam Curran (2-23) and David Willey (2-23) also bowled with hostility as Pakistan was dismissed in 19 overs.

Amid a middle-order collapse from 42-1 which saw Pakistan lose six wickets off 48 balls for just 58 runs – opener, Mohammad Rizwan held on with a defiant 46-ball 63.

Wood dismissed Pakistan skipper Babar Azam in the third over for nine before David Willey removed Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed to derail Pakistan.

Mohammad Nawaz, for a duck, and Shadab Khan fell to injudicious runouts to leave Pakistan tottering at 100-7.

Rizwan completed his 20th T20I half- century before hitting Curran straight into the hands of Adil Rashid at deep square-leg in the 18th over.

Rizwan struck three sixes and two fours.

The teams meet again at the same venue on Friday.