England throw away the chance to take a 3-1 lead in the series with Pakistan as the tourists lose by three runs in Karachi.
In a game which swung back and forth, a late onslaught from Liam Dawson left England requiring nine runs from the final two overs with three wickets still intact.
However, after Dawson had given his wicket away, Olly Stone and Reece Topley were both dismissed for ducks to gift Pakistan a thrilling win.
After winning the toss, England elected to field first, but they watched on helplessly as Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam once again starred for Pakistan at the top of the order.
A 97-run opening stand was ended when Azam departed for 36 runs, but Rizwan would continue at the crease and eventually make 88 runs from 67 deliveries.
Shan Masood chipped in with 21 from 19 before Asif Ali scored 13 pivotal runs off just three deliveries, two of those balls being sent for a maximum.
While a total of 166-4 set England a challenging target, it was one which was well within their grasp, although the run chase got off to a catastrophic start.
England had lost three wickets by the end of the second over, Phil Salt (8), Alex Hales (5) and Will Jacks (0) all departing during a chaotic 12 balls.
The trio of Ben Duckett (33), Harry Brook (34) and Moeen Ali helped steady the ship and keep England in the game, particularly with the middle of those batsmen at the crease.
What a finish! 🤯
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 25, 2022
Pakistan win by 3️⃣ runs to level the T20I series against England! 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/M5SuDiCe8g
However, England appeared to be big outsiders when requiring 33 off the final three overs until Dawson smashed 24 runs from the 18th over.
The visitors were now in prime position but a weak hook from Dawson proved to be his downfall, the England player also watching the ball go the fielder rather than cross with Adil Rashid.
That left Stone exposed to a rampaging Haris Rauf, who bowled the tailender with the next delivery, and last man Topley survived an LBW appeal to get England to the final over still only requiring four runs to win.
After the first ball was a dot, Topley understandably pushed hard for a quick single with the second, only for that effort to come to no avail as he was run out well short of his crease.
The two teams now travel to Lahore for the final three fixtures with Pakistan very much in the ascendancy after yet another captivating contest.
Darren Plant
