Abu Dhabi (Sports News): England Lions beat Pakistan Shaheens by 32 runs in the second T20 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium Nursery One in Abu Dhabi on Sunday afternoon to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 series. The third match of the series will be played at the same venue on Tuesday, 24 February with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 7.30pm local time.
Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to field, Pakistan Shaheens made early inroads when Shahid Aziz dismissed Will Smeed for a first-ball duck. Ben McKinney (38, 25b, 6x4s) and Lions captain Jordan Cox (34, 30b, 4x4s, 1x6) steadied the innings with a brisk stand, before Saad Masood struck twice to finish with figures of two for 38 in three overs.
However, James Coles anchored the latter half of the innings and remained unbeaten on 48 off 30 balls, which included four fours and two sixes as Lions posted 183 for five.
Right-arm fast bowler Shahid, who was playing his first match of the series, grabbed two wickets for 26 runs in his four overs.
In turn, Pakistan Shaheens got off to a decent start courtesy captain Shamyl Hussain (20, 15b, 1x4, 2x6s) and Maaz Sadaqat, who top-scored with 32 off 25 balls, including two fours and as many sixes. The pair added 41 for the first wicket in 4.2 overs, but regular breakthroughs halted the chase.
Left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig (20, 18b, 1x6) and Hasan Nawaz (20, 24b, 1x4) attempted to rebuild the innings, before Saad Masood, coming in to bat at number seven scored 30 off 17 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes.
Shahid (15, 7b, 1x4, 1x6) also chipped in with a cameo, but the required rate proved too steep as Shaheens were eventually dismissed for 151 with three balls to spare.
Left-arm spinner Coles starred with the ball as well, returning figures of four for 18, while Scott Currie and Sonny Baker picked up two wickets apiece for the winning side.
Scores in brief:
England Lions 183-5, 20 overs (James Coles 48 not out, Ben McKinney 38, Jordan Cox 34; Shahid Aziz2-26, Saad Masood 2-38)
Pakistan Shaheens 151 all out, 19.3 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 32, Saad Masood 30; James Coles 4-18, Sonny Baker 2-24, Scott Currie 2-30)
Player of the match – James Coles (England Lions)
