England in Pakistan: Hosts edge low-scoring match to take 3-2 lead in Twenty20 series

England in Pakistan: Hosts edge low-scoring match to take 3-2 lead in Twenty20 series
_126884184_gettyimages-1243574194.jpgPakistan have taken the lead in the seven-match series for the first timeFifith Twenty20 international, LahorePakistan 145 (19 overs): Rizwan 63 (46); Wood 3-20England 139-7 (20 overs): Moeen 51* (37); Rauf 2-41Pakistan won by six runs; lead series 3-2Scorecard

Pakistan took a 3-2 lead in their Twenty20 series against England with a six-run victory in a low-scoring match in Lahore.

Chasing just 146 for the win, England never recovered from a poor start in the powerplay that saw them reduced to 31-3 inside five overs.

A defiant knock from captain Moeen Ali, who ended unbeaten on 51, left England needing 15 runs off the last over, but some superb death bowling from debutant Aamer Jamal saw them fall just short on 139-7.

Earlier, England fast bowler Mark Wood took 3-20 as Pakistan were bowled out for 145 after 19 overs, Mohammad Rizwan the only batter to offer resistance with 63 from 46 deliveries.

The penultimate game of the seven-match series takes place on Friday, again in Lahore.

England's batting lets them down again

After failing to chase down 167 in Sunday's fourth T20, a poor start with the bat cost England again in a match they looked in control of at the halfway stage.

Alex Hales sliced Mohammad Nawaz straight to backward point from the fifth ball of the innings, fellow opener Phil Salt heaved Haris Rauf to deep square leg two overs later and Ben Duckett was also caught on the boundary off Mohammad Wasim.

Pakistan's spinners - Nawaz, Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed - were superb in restricting England's scoring in the middle overs and ensuring they never got a grip of the run rate.

There was no boundary off the bat for 28 deliveries at one stage and, when Jamal removed Sam Curran with just his second ball in international cricket, England were 85-6.

Moeen's gritty knock, featuring two fours and four sixes, gave England hope, but he was left with too much to do.

The major plus point on an otherwise poor evening was the performance of Wood, who has taken 6-44 across his two matches as he continues his return from six months out with an elbow injury.

There was also a first international appearance since March for Warwickshire all-rounder Woakes, as England's injury problems continue to ease ahead of the T20 World Cup.

More to follow.

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