Pakistan have levelled the series with a dramatic three run win over England in the fourth T20I, despite Liam Dawson's stunning late cameo.
In a game full of twists and turns, Pakistan emerged victorious thanks to Mohammad Rizwan's classy 88, England losing early wickets and Haris Rauf's magnificent 19th over. It was a tale of two halves in Pakistan's innings, with Rizwan and Babar Azam showing their quality at the start as they guided the hosts to 82-0 at the halfway mark.
Rizwan was the main aggressor, reaching his half-century off just 38 balls, while Babar played a typically classy innings. However, Pakistan failed to make the most of what was an excellent platform, adding just 84 runs in the final ten overs as England dragged things back.
Dawson made the crucial breakthrough, removing Babar for 36 when he holed out at deep midwicket. Pakistan's innings then stalled slightly, with Shan Masood struggling to get going as he scored 21 off 19 with just one boundary.
Fans at the Karachi National Stadium could be heard cheering when he fell lbw to David Willey in the 19th over. Pakistan then curiously decided not to promote explosive finisher Asif Ali, with Khushdil Shah coming in ahead of him instead.
Khushdil added two runs off three balls, with his dismissal seeing Ali enter the fray and close out the innings in style with two big sixes to propel his side up to 166-4. In response, though, England got off to a horror start as Pakistan picked up three wickets in the first two overs.
Phil Salt was the first to go, getting caught at midwicket off Mohammad Nawaz for eight, while opening partner Alex Hales fell just four balls later for five after Usman Qadir produced a brilliant diving catch at short midwicket off Mohammad Hasnain.
Hasnain then removed Will Jacks in the same over, with the 23-year-old dragging the ball onto his stumps. Harry Brook and Moeen Ali got England ahead of the rate after striking 19 runs off the tenth over in an important 49-run partnership, but they both fell within the space of seven deliveries
However, England kept on coming, with Willey ramping two fours off Rauf before getting bowled by a brilliant yorker and Dawson smashing 24 runs off one over from Hasnain. However, Dawson fell to Haris Rauf in the 19th and Pakistan wrapped up a dramatic win when number 11 Reece Topley was run out for a duck.
Here are five talking points...
Stone debuts
With Mark Wood rested after his stunning comeback in the third T20I, Stone was handed a debut and tasked with sending down 90mph+ rockets. Stone has also struggled with injuries over the years which have unfortunately stalled his international career, limiting him to just three Test and four ODI appearances before this match.
The 28-year-old had not played competitive cricket since July due to a finger injury and ended with figures of 0-36 from his four overs. He conceded more sixes than any other England bowler, but while express pace can be a potent weapon it can also prove expensive in T20 cricket.
Most importantly, though, it was good to see Stone back on the international stage, having only returned to action in the T20 Blast this summer after missing around a year after suffering a stress fracture of the lower back.
Rizwan's fine 88
As one of the best T20 batters in the world right now, Rizwan held Pakistan's innings together with a fine 88 off 67 balls as they posted a total of 166-4 from their 20 overs
He shared an excellent 97-run partnership with Babar where he was the main aggressor, reaching his 19th T20I half-century off just 38 balls.
Rizwan and Babar have formed a magnificent opening partnership and will be crucial to Pakistan's chances at the World Cup, with Rizwan's 88 ultimately proving to be just enough for them to win this match and level the series.
Masood's 'laboured' innings
After Rizwan and Babar laid an excellent platform, Pakistan failed to take advantage. Masood scored an impressive unbeaten 65 off 40 in vain in the third T20I, but could not get going in this match.
In an innings described as "laboured" on commentary, he scored 21 off 19 balls with just a single boundary and the momentum had swung firmly back in England's favour by the time he was dismissed.
Batting at three is probably Masood's best spot in this Pakistan side given their establish opening pair, but they need to be willing to drop him down the order and promote big hitters like Ali when Rizwan and Babar put on a big opening partnership.
Luckily for Pakistan it did not cost them in this match, but it did come close to backfiring and is something they need to look at heading into the World Cup.
Dawson's stunning cameo
When Moeen and Brook both fell in the space of just seven deliveries, it looked as though England's hopes of winning had perished. However, Dawson almost produced a stunning heist with a brilliant cameo of 34 off 17.
The all-rounder struck 24 off a dramatic 18th over from Hasnain. He hit five consecutive boundaries and put his side back in the driving seat, with England needing nine off 12 to pull off an unlikely win.
Although England ultimately fell short by just four runs, it was a brilliant display of hitting from Dawson and his best score in international cricket since making an unbeaten 66 on Test debut against India in 2016.
"The way that Daws batted was outstanding and I'm pleased for him but sad that he couldn't get us over the line," Moeen said. "With nine runs needed you feel like you should win the game but they bowled really well and got over the line."
Rauf's expert 19th over
After Dawson swung the game in England's favour in the 18th, Rauf produced an expert display of death bowling in the 19th to win the game for Pakistan. After being swatted for four by Dawson, he bravely bowled a bouncer and Dawson holed out to midwicket.
Rauf then bowled Stone first ball, before producing a 96mph yorker that Topley barely survived as he picked up two wickets while conceding only five runs. "In my mind I didn't want to give up, I just wanted to take wickets," Rauf said.
"In this kind of international T20 cricket match, you have to be able to handle pressure. That's why you're selected and that's why I try to do my best and it worked well."
