Pakistan successfully defended the 146-run target in another thriller as they beat England by six runs in the fifth T20 of the seven-match series at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Wednesday.

With the victory, Pakistan lead the series 3-2 as they restricted visitors to 139-7 in the allotted 20 overs.

Debutant Aamer Jamal bowled the last over with England needing 15 runs. England captain Moeen Ali decided against taking singles and got a six on the third ball of the over. However, he failed to get another big hit as Aamer kept his cool and earn the win for Pakistan.

Moeen remained unbeaten for 51 runs off 37 balls. He hit four sixes and two fours. 

England were 88-6 in 10 overs needing another 88 runs in 60 balls to win the match.

Muhammad Nawaz opened the proceedings for Pakistan and removed Alex Hales on the fifth delivery of the over as an outside edge landed safely in Shadab Khan’s hands.

Hales made only one run.

The new man in, Dawid Malan hit two consecutive boundaries to Muhammad Wasim in the next over that cost 10 runs. Malan hit another boundary to Nawaz in the fourth over.

Haris Rauf removed Phil Salt on his first delivery as he was caught at deep square leg where by substitute Khushdil Shah.

Next came, inform batsman Ben Duckett who showed his intent by hitting two fours to Rauf in the same over. But his stay was short-lived as he became a victim of Wasim in the next over when a thick edge led into the hands of Shan Masood.

Iftikhar Ahmed ended Dawid Malan resistance as he was adjudged LBW in 12th over after scoring 36 runs off 35 balls. He hit six boundaries. 

England ended the first power play of six overs for 42-3.

In the ninth over, Shadab Khan trapped Harry Brook in front of wickets. However, Aleem Dar did not give out yet a successful Pakistan review resulting in the fourth wicket for Pakistan. 

Next man in, Sam Curran became debutant Aamer Jamal's first international wicket in the 15th over when Wasim took a brilliant catch to end Curran's cameo of 17 runs off 11 balls.  

Earlier, injured Rizwan could not take the field and Muhammad Haris is keeping the wickets instead on as per concussion rules.

Pakistan were bowled out for 145 runs in 19 overs as no batsman sans Muhammad Rizwan could negotiate with the English bowlers during the fifth T20 of seven-match series at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on Wednesday.

Rizwan hit another half century, though a slower and unsteady one as he survived numerous chances at the start of the innings. He scored 63 runs off 47 balls, hitting three sixes and two fours in the process.

Other batsmen who touched double figures were Iftikhar Ahmad (15 off 14 balls) and debutant Aamer Jamal (10 off 7 balls).

England bowlers were ably assisted by fielders as well as two Pakistani batsmen were run out.

Pakistan were off to a shaky and sluggish start as batsmen found it hard to play freely against English bowlers.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam was first to head back to the pavilion as Pakistan were reduced to 17-1 in 2.5 overs as Mark Wood once again took his man.

In order to speed up things, Babar tried to pull a 150km/h ball blindly that went straight to the deep square leg where Ben Duckett completed the formality. Babar scored nine runs off 12 balls and hit a boundary.

Rizwan and Shan Masood both survived numerous chances as the England fast bowlers frustrate them. Masood went back to the pavilion after scoring 7 runs off 8 balls when he tried to play a slow yorker bowled by Willey but only ended in sending an edge to gully where Mark Wood completed the formality.

Pakistan were 43-2 after six overs, the end of the first powerplay.

The next man in, Haider Ali also followed the suit as he was caught and bowled by Wood. Haider scored 4 runs off 6 balls.

Iftikhar also could not prolong his stay on the crease as he was caught by Dawid Malan off Willey’s delivery after scoring 15 runs off 14 balls. He hit one four.

Asif Ali also could not click as after hitting a boundary he was deceived by a slower delivery of Wood and was clean bowled.

Moeen Ali capitalized maximum on a mix-up between Muhammad Nawaz and Rizwan as he sharply run out Nawaz who went back to the pavilion without opening his account.

Shadab Khan announced his return to the team by hitting a straight sixer to Adil Rashid on the very first ball but threw away his wicket on the very next ball while trying to get a double but was undone by a strong throw from Curran. He was sluggish while taking the first run and woke up only after Rizwan pushed him for a double but it was too late for him.

Debutant Jamal hit a boundary in his 7-ball 10 runs before he was caught behind by Phil Salt of a Curran’s delivery.

Curran also took the prized wicket of Rizwan who was caught by Adil. Muhammad Wasim remained unbeaten for his six runs off seven balls.

Haris Rauf hit a six before being caught by Curran off a Chris Woakes delivery. He scored 8 runs.

England bowlers also conceded 11 extra runs in the innings.

For England, Wood was the most successful bowler for 3-20, followed by Sam Curran and David Willey who both took 2-23 while Wokaes claimed 1-30. Adil went wicketless for 41 runs.

Earlier, England won the toss and elected to field first in the fifth match of the seven-match Twenty20 series between Pakistan and England at Gaddafi stadium Lahore.

Both the teams are looking to get an upper hand as the series in tied 2-2 after the Karachi leg.

England captain Moeen Ali said: "Looks a good wicket, don't think it's going to change. The most important is to win the game, fantastic series so far. Great to be a part of, got to be on your A game against Pakistan."

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said he would have also bowled first if he had won the toss as it was better to chase, instead aiming to defend the 160-170 runs target.

He said: "Lots of positive things, got to step up for the World Cup."

Pakistan have made three changes to its squad as they will be playing a debutant today. Amir Jamal has been named for his first cap, and said in a statement earlier: "It's an honour to represent my country. It's hard to express your emotions in words. Wasim Akram is my ideal. I am happy that I will be representing Pakistan today."

Haider Ali also returned to the side as he replaced Khushdil Shah while Shadab Khan will also be in action for the first time in the series as he replaces Usman Qadir.

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England also made four changes to their squad as Dawid Malan, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood returned to the side.

Chris Woakes returns for his first white-ball appearance since November, as he continues his rehab from knee surgery. Dawid Malan made way in Karachi to allow Will Jacks a go at No. 3. But as England's lock at first-drop for the World Cup in Australia, he made a comeback into the team.

Squads:

Pakistan: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Haider Ali, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf

England: Phil Salt (wk), Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali (capt), Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.