11.05pm: That's a wrap for tonight, thanks for keeping us company. These two teams can't be separated, so we'll be back for one last dance in Lahore on Sunday, with the series spoils on the line. You'll find Danyal's report up on the site shortly, and Matt Roller will have more to come from the ground. From myself, Vish and Raghav, it's good night. Bye!
10.55pm: Time for some presentations (at least, it should be)... Phil Salt is Player of the Match: "Definitely [best T20I knock], nice to do it with the series in the balance. Always a challenge at the top when you feel you're playing well but picking out fielders and finding ways to get out. Pleased with the backing from the management about how they want me to play. You need competition, the best sides have that. Everyone's trying to put their best foot forward and show the coaches how good they are."
Pakistan captain Babar Azam is next up: [Paraphrased from Urdu by the interviewer] "Thought it was a good score, could have got 10-15 more. England's use of the powerplay was the turning point. Middle order roles, players need to take responsibility, hope they will in the next game."
England captain Moeen Ali: "Very happy, thought the way we batted in particular was outstanding. Shows if you stick to the process, you don't have to slog you can play proper shots. And I thought the seamers were outstanding today. If you don't lose wickets early on you can keep going. Good base, good shots, really impressive performance. Another good game, I hope, it's been a brilliant series. We feel we've learned a lot as a group. [Buttler] He's feeling good, been training a bit more. Whether or not we risk him for one game, we'll see.
10.45pm: After two nerve-shredding, nail-biting defences from Pakistan, England get their chasing mojo back, and in some style. Phil Salt's career-best 88 not out brings them victory with 33 balls to spare, and means we will have a decider in Lahore on Sunday night. The dew is probably due some credit, too, as batting seemed to get a lot easier as the game wore on; but England's pedal-to-the-metal approach will rarely prove more effective than that, all of the home attack going at more than 10 an over other than Shadab Khan, who picked up a respectable 2 for 34. This seven-match series is going all the way, baby!
Our stats man, Sampath, has this: "Second biggest win in terms of balls to spare while chasing a target of 170 and more"
"Assuming England win (as seems likely), it sets up Sunday's game beautifully. Tickets will be selling like hot cakes in the Tapal Tea lounge." The only tea lounge in town, James
Mohammad Wasim is back
"Condiments to Abdullah for his 'Assault' play on words," snorts mickeyscan
END OF OVER:14 | 11 Runs | ENG: 166/2 (4 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 11.85, RRR: 0.66)
- Ben Duckett25 (15b)
- Phil Salt86 (39b)
- Aamer Jamal2-0-30-0
- Mohammad Nawaz4-0-43-0
"Let's be honest, this series and both teams are fully deserving of a decider!" Can't argue with that, Adam
"Alan! You referred to a WhatsApp group. Ah! What an elite group of experts will it be. Can we be a part of it :( ? Pls say yes just for our happiness even if you don't mean it." Okay, Shehryar Afridi. Yes (but I don't mean it)
Aamer Jamal back for a second over. England 15 away from levelling the series
END OF OVER:13 | 7 Runs | ENG: 155/2 (15 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 11.92, RRR: 2.14)
- Ben Duckett20 (13b)
- Phil Salt81 (35b)
- Mohammad Nawaz4-0-43-0
- Shadab Khan4-0-34-2
"This is too much 'Salt' ... not enjoying it! LOL." More than a sprinkle can be bad for your health, Usman Khan
