England spinners shine as win over Pakistan keeps series alive
England' s spinners squeezed Pakistan to claim an emphatic 45-run victory in the second Twenty20 and level the series at 1-1.
Though Jo sButtl er, Moe en Ali and Li am Living stone-who twice hit sixes out of Heading le y-all sparkled with the bat, England failed to post a total that would have put Pakistan out of the game.
From 137-3 in the 14th over and 164-5 in the 16th, England lost their last five wickets for 36 runs to be bowled out for 200. However, England's trio of spinners, led by AdilR as hid, superbly exploited a pitch that rapidly deteriorated.
Rashid claimed 2-30, fellow leg-spinner Matt Parkinson 1-25 and off-break bowler Moeen 2-32 as Pakistan lurched to 155-9.
The series decider is on Tuesday at Old Trafford, with an 18:30 BST start.
After the thrilling entertainment of Pakistan's 31run win in the series opener, this was another thoroughly enjoyable contest, played in front of a full house on a baking hot day.
England stuck with their plan of experimenting with the World Cup in mind. Captain
Eoin Morgan was rested, Jonny Bairstow shifted down the order to number six and Moe en' s off-spin employed after he did not bowl on Friday.
And, with that tournament set to be played in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, most encouraging will be the combined performance of leg spinners Rash id and Park in son, who lined up in the same England team for the first time. The hosts' total looked no more than par, only for Rash id and Park ins onto stifle Pakistan on a pitch that became increasingly responsive to the slow bowlers.