England vs Pakistan – Fourth One Day International – Live Cricket Scores and Update
Pakistan 237 v England 241 - England won by 4 wickets (with 4 balls remaining)
On Tuesday, February 21, 2012, England won their fourth and final match of the four-match one-day series against Pakistan by four wickets after successfully chasing a target of 238 runs at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
After winning the toss, Pakistan who were down by 3-0 in the series, chose to bat first in order to post a mammoth tally on the board against the Poms.
However, their plans went awry when for only one run on the board, they lost the wicket of ace opener, Mohammad Hafeez, who departed after scoring only a run.
With Hafeez gone, it was time for number-three batsman, Asad Shafiq to forge an alliance with opener Azhar Ali as Pakistan desperately sought victory in the match to save some grace after suffering a disastrous one-day series.
The duo batted handsomely against the bowlers, before the partnership finally came to an end on the penultimate delivery of the 23rd over, when Shafiq lost his wicket after playing an innings of 65 runs. At the time of his demise, Pakistan had amassed 112 runs on the board.
Umar Akmal, was the next man to lose his wicket as he found his way back to the pavilion after playing a short innings of 12 runs.
Azhar Ali, then departed after playing a stupendous knock of 58 runs as he left his team on 144 runs.
Later, skipper Misbah-ul-Haq played an astounding knock of 46 runs to help his side post 237 runs on the board in 50 overs.
From England, pacer Jade Dernbach was the highest wicket taker from his side with four Pakistan scalps.
Needing 238 runs to win in 50 overs, England looked well set to hand Pakistan a series whitewash. However, this time skipper Alastair Cook failed to humiliate Pakistan as he was dismissed early in the innings after scoring only four runs.
Nonetheless, the demise of Cook did not hinder England’s plans as all-rounder, Kevin Pietersen, left Pakistan flabbergasted by playing a resounding innings of 130 runs to steer his side to victory in 49.2 overs for the loss of six wickets.
Cook was named as the Player of the Series, while Pietersen was given the Man of the Match award.