ENG vs PAK, 3rd T20I: Hafeez, Ali Whirlwind 50s Helps Pakistan Secure 5-Run Win, Level Series 1-1

Pakistan's win came at the back of a solid batting performance spearheaded by veteran batsman Mohammad Hafeez who scored a whirlwind 86 run knock and propelled the visitors to a commanding 190-4 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Pakistan squared off the 3-match T20I series against host England edging the hosts by five runs in the third and final T20I played at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground at Manchester on Tuesday. Pakistan's win came at the back of a solid batting performance spearheaded by veteran batsman Mohammad Hafeez who scored a whirlwind 86 run knock and propelled the visitors to a commanding 190-4 in their stipulated 20 overs. Pakistan did not get off to the best possible start as they lost both their opening Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam relatively early to find themselves tottering at 32/2. However, Hafeez struck a century partnership for the third wicket with Haider Ali to not only steady the Pakistani innings but also help them gain the momentum to finish with a late flourish. Hafeez stroked his way to a 52-ball 86* at a staggering strike rate of 165.38 to bring up his 13th career T20I fifty. The veteran batsman equaled his highest ever score in T20Is. Meanwhile, Haider Ali (54) became the first Pakistani batsman to score a fifty on debut in T20Is. All-rounder Moeen Ali spearhead a spirited chase by England with a marauding 61-run knocks off just 33 balls, but was one of two wickets to fall in a superb next-to-last over bowled by Wahab Riaz (2-26). England needed 12 off the final two balls and although Tom Curran struck a six off the first, he swung and missed off the last delivery of the innings — a yorker by Haris Rauf — to leave the hosts on 185-8. Pakistan had earlier lost a rain-hit test 3-match series 1-0, and had to taste defeat in the second T20 match after rain washed out the first.