Karachi, Sep 25: Mohammad Rizwan scored a fluent 88 and Haris Rauf and Mohammed Nawaz took three wickets each as Pakistan edged England by three runs in a rollercoaster finish to the fourth Twenty20 in Karachi on Sunday to square the seven-match series at 2-2.
In a topsy-turvy contest, Liam Dawson threatened to snatch victory from Pakistan when he took 24 runs over off Muhammad Hasnain in the 18th over, but the hosts held their nerve with a gritty bowling display at the death.
Rauf (3-32) removed Dawson (34) and Olly Stone off successive deliveries in the penultimate over before Pakistan ran out Reece Topley to claim an unlikely win, triggering euphoric scenes at the National Stadium.
Earlier, Rizwan lived up to his billing as the world’s top-ranked T20 batsman, hitting nine fours and a six in his 67-ball knock as he shared a 97-run stand for the opening wicket with captain Babar Azam and put his side on track for a big total.
The Pakistan middle-order, however, faltered again with Shan Masood and Khushdil Shah falling cheaply as England restricted the hosts to 166-4 despite a late flurry from Asif Ali.
England, whose batting had impressed in the opening three games of the series, appeared to be clear favourites after a strong bowling display had limited Pakistan to what the tourists clearly considered a highly gettable target. However, a disastrous start to the run-chase saw England slump to 14-3. Ben Duckett (33), Harry Brook (34) and Moeen (29) led the recovery, but when the latter duo fell in successive overs to leave England 113-6, Pakistan once more appeared in control.
Duckett perished for a well-struck 33, but Brook (34) and skipper Moeen Ali (29) kept England in the hunt before Nawaz (3-35) and Mohammad Wasim (1-30) delivered a double blow to put Pakistan in command.
Dawson’s stunning cameo then appeared to have turned the game back in England’s favour, with home fans beginning to flock out of Karachi’s National Stadium as they accepted defeat, before Pakistan’s late salvo created the most memorable of finishes.
The victory means Pakistan have now twice levelled from behind to ensure the series is level as it moves from Karachi to Lahore, where the final three matches will be played as both sides continue their preparations for the start of the T20 World Cup in Australia next month.
The teams now head to Lahore for the fifth game on Wednesday. (Agencies)
