LAHORE: England Lions beat Pakistan Shaheens by four wickets in the first T20 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Nursery One, in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Batting first, the Shaheens scored 152 for seven in their 20 overs. In turn, the Lions achieved the target in 19.1 overs for the loss of six wickets.

Shaheens captain Shamyl Hussain was his side’s top scorer with 57 from 39 balls, including four fours and four sixes. Saad Baig (21, 20b, 2 x 4), Abdul Samad (21, 12b, 2 x 6), Maaz Sadaqat (17, 18b, 2 x 4), Hasan Nawaz (13, 13b, 1 x 4), and Arafat Minhas (13, 9b, 2 x 4) were the other contributors.

The Lions’ run-chase was spearheaded by Asa Tribe, who scored 64 not out from 48 balls with six fours and a six. Ben McKinney was the other main run-getter with a 13-ball 24. For the Shaheens, Akif Javed was the pick of the bowlers with two for 22.

The second T20 will be played on Sunday.

Scores in brief:

First T20: England Lions beat Pakistan Shaheens by four wickets.

Pakistan Shaheens 152-7, 20 overs (Shamyl Hussain 57, Saad Baig 21, Abdul Samad 21; James Coles 2-20, Saqib Mahmood 2-29)

England Lions 153-6, 19.1 overs (Asa Tribe 64 not out, Ben McKinney 24; Akif Javed 2-22)