England beat Pakistan to take Twenty20 series

ABU DHABI: England beat Pakistan in the third and final Twenty20 international by five runs in a sensational finish here on Monday to take the three-match series 2-1.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took 4-23 to keep England down to 129-6 in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Kevin Pietersen batted through the innings to topscore with an unbeaten 62.

Pakistan needed 17 off the last two overs but Stuart Broad gave away only four in the penultimate over, leaving Pakistan with 13 to get. Jade Dernbach conceded only seven runs.

Pakistan won the first match by eight runs while England won the second by 38 runs - both in Dubai.