Abdul Rassaq Rallies Pakistan Cricket to Victory over England

Abdul Razzaq's 46 runs from just 18 balls was enough for Pakistan to level the two-match Twenty20 series against England in Dubai on Saturday.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to field first.

England posted a respectable 148-8, but a clatter of wickets at the end of the England innings cost them dearly in the long run of the game, and Pakistan made 6-149 to claim a share of the trophy.

Kevin Pietersen, who has recently returned from a troubling Achilles tendon, showed signs of being near his best, compiling a very entertaining and powerful 62 off 40 balls before being given LBW off the bowling off Saeed Ajmal.

Jonathon Trott provided decent support for Pietersen, who hit a very slow 39 off 51 balls.

The other England batsmen failed to get going, with only Paul Collingwood and Luke Wright getting into double figures.

Pakistan's reply got underway to a bad start when Imran Nazir and Imran Farhat both got out in the first over trying to smash England Debutant Amjal Shahzad out of Dubai but only finding Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad, respectively

Umar Akmal chipped in with a useful, if not edgy, 36 off 41 balls; this 19-year-old is developing into a strong international player.

Some impressive bowling from England Graham Swann limited Pakistan in the first 10 overs, though. Swann finished with figures of 3-14 off his four overs.

But credit in this game has to go to Razzaq—a brilliant 46 off just 18 balls with five massive sixes just shows the quality player he really is, and he won the match for Pakistan.

Man of the Match: Abdul Razzaq