- Scorecard is available here
Abu Dhabi, 24 February 2026: England Lions beat Pakistan Shaheens by two wickets in the third T20 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium Nursery One in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday evening to win the three-match series 3-0. Both sides will now feature in the five-match 50-over series commencing from Friday, 27 February at the same venue.
After opting to bat first, Pakistan Shaheens recovered well from early setbacks to post a competitive 162 for six in their allotted 20 overs. Opener Maaz Sadaqat led the batting effort with a fluent 53 off 36 balls, laced with four fours and two sixes, anchoring the innings after the early loss of captain Shamyl Hussain.
Lower down the order, Saad Masood and Shahid Aziz provided valuable impetus with an unbroken 59-run seventh-wicket partnership. Saad remained unbeaten on 29 off 22 balls, while Shahid played a cameo of 30 not out from just 18 deliveries, striking two fours and as many sixes to lift Pakistan Shaheens past the 160-run mark.
For England Lions, Scott Currie took three wickets, while James Coles bagged two wickets.
In turn, Pakistan Shaheens bowlers made early inroads as right-arm fast Mohammad Salman removed Will Smeed in the second over. Maaz impressed with the ball as well, grabbing two wickets for 29 runs in his four overs, while right-arm leg-spinner Saad maintained pressure in the middle overs with figures of two for 22.
Despite a strong counter-attacking innings from England Lions’ captain Jordan Cox (75, 37b, 5x4s, 6x6s), Pakistan Shaheens fought back strongly in the latter stages. Sufiyan Muqeem and Shahid picked up crucial wickets and sharp fielding efforts resulted in a run-out to keep the contest alive until the final over.
England Lions eventually reached the target in 19.3 overs with two wickets in hand.
Scores in brief:
England Lions beat Pakistan Shaheens by two wickets
Pakistan Shaheens 162-6, 20 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 53, Shahid Aziz 30 not out, Saad Masood 29 not out; Scott Currie 3-27, James Coles 2-28)
England Lions 163-8, 19.3 overs (Jordan Cox 75, Dan Mousley 28; Saad Masood 2-22, Maaz Sadaqat 2-29)
Player of the match – Jordan Cox (England Lions)
