England defeated Pakistan by three wickets with just two balls left to take the IT20 series by 2-1. Pakistan made 154 for six in their twenty overs with Mohammad Rizwan making 76.

England were going along nicely at 91 for 1 before a collapse saw the hosts loose five wickets for 57 runs. It was down to Chris Jordan to see England home in front of a crowd of 22,000 people in a thriller at Old Trafford.

Difficult pitch in Manchester

On a pitch where scoring was difficult, Pakistan were indebted to Rizwan’s fine knock after England’s spinners had troubled the visitors. Led by Adil Rashid with four for 35 along with Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali, the visitors total looked short.

Jason Roy and Jos Buttler put on 67 for the opening wicket before Buttler went for 21. It was down to Roy to put England in a strong position to win the game. England were in a comfortable position but when Roy slog sweeped Usman Qadir to long off for 64 the game changed. This time it was the turn of Pakistan’s spinners to come to the party as England suffered a wobble.

Bairstow(5), Ali(1) Malan(31) and Livingstone(6) all fell inside 34 balls. After Morgan had gone for a brisk 21, England required six runs to win off the final over. Jordan held his nerve to see England over the line for yet another white ball series win.

England take 2nd IT20 to level series

Two days earlier at Headingly, England squared the series with a 54-run victory over Pakistan.

England made 200 in their 20 overs after one stage being 18 for 2. It was down to Buttler with 59 and Livingstone with 38 to see England through to a competitive total.

Despite 37 from Rizwan and an unbeaten 36 from Shadab Khan, the visitors fell well short.

Pakistan took the opening T20I by 31 runs at Trent Bridge despite Livingstone scoring England’s fastest T20I. Babar Azam and Rizwan guided Pakistan to their highest T20I total of 232 for 6 with a 150-run opening partnership.

Livingstone’s 42 ball hundred was all in vain as the visitors drew first blood in the three match series.