Pakistan edge past England in a nail-biting thriller to level the series

Mohammad Rizwan in action | PC: Twitter

Babar Azam-led Pakistan edged past England by 3 runs in the fourth T20I of the seven-match series on Sunday (September 25) at Karachi to level the series 2-2. 

With a target of 167 to chase, the visitors got off to a disastrous start as the side was restricted to 14/3 in the first two overs with Philip Salt (8), Alex Hales (5), and Will Jacks (0) taking an early walk back to the dugout.

England was put back on track with Ben Duckett (24-ball 33) and Harry Brook (29-ball 34) putting up a 43-run stand for the fourth wicket before the former of the two was found right in front of the stumps off Mohammad Nawaz's bowling. 

Harry Brook, however, continued the onslaught and clobbered up another crucial partnership with skipper Moeen Ali (20-ball 29) to help the hosts breach the 100-run mark. 

However, once the duo got off the middle in consecutive overs, the visitors huffed, and puffed with Liam Dawson (17-ball 34) keeping the contest alive, but the team eventually bundled out for 163 in 19.2 overs. 

For Pakistan, Mohammad Nawaz and Haris Rauf were the picks of the bowlers, having bagged three wickets each. Mohammad Hasnain also got a couple of scalps while Mohammad Wasim Jr plucked one. 

Pakistan's Lackluster Batting Display  

Earlier England furnished out a stellar bowling performance and restricted Pakistan to a chaseable total of 166 for the loss of four wickets despite Mohammad Rizwan hitting 88 off 67 balls.

The wicket-keeper batter did provide the hosts a promising start in the powerplay, however, he could not put the pedal to the metal when it was needed and eventually perished off in the final over of the inning.

As for skipper Babar Azam, the last match centurion scored a 28-ball 36 before being caught at deep midwicket off Liam Dawson's short-pitched delivery.

Shan Masood, who played a swashbuckling inning with the bat in the previous match, failed to replicate it in this fixture and was sent packing by David Willey for 21 off 19 balls. 

However, thanks to Asif Ali, who whacked two sixes in the last over, Pakistan managed to post a decent total on the board after the end of the first innings. 

For England, Reece Topley starred with the ball, having picked up two wickets in his four overs quota while Liam Dawson and David Willey bagged one each.

Brief Scores

Pakistan: 166/4 (20 Overs)

Mohammad Rizwan 88 (67), Babar Azam 36 (28);
Reece Topley 2-37 (4), David Willey 1-31 (4) 

England: 163/10 (19.2 Overs) 

Harry Brook 34 (29), Liam Dawson 34 (17);
Mohammad Nawaz 3-35 (4), Haris Rauf 3-32 (4) 

Pakistan won by 3 runs. 

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