LAHORE: England Lions followed in the footsteps of their senior side when they defeated Pakistan Shaheens by two wickets to make a clean sweep of the three-match T20 series in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

While in Pallekele, England chased down a 165-run target for the loss of eight wickets with five balls to spare to qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals, the Lions achieved a similar feat. They reached their 163-run target for the loss of eight wickets in 19.3 overs to finish the T20 series unbeaten.

The transition to the longer format begins soon, as a five-match 50-over series will be played from 27 February to 9 March.

Lions’ Jordan Cox was the star of his side, scoring 75 from 35 balls with five fours and six sixes. He eventually fell to Saad Masood when the Lions still required 32 runs from 29 balls. Cox dominated the 54-run second-wicket partnership with Ben McKinney (20) and a 30-run third-wicket stand with Asa Tribe (5).

For Pakistan, Saad Masood and Maaz Sadaqat were the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets each while conceding 22 and 29 runs, respectively.

Earlier, the Shaheens scored 162 for six after being sent in to bat. Maaz Sadaqat was the top scorer with a 36-ball 53, including four fours and two sixes. Maaz anchored the innings, putting on 38 runs from 24 balls for the second wicket with Sameer Minhas (10) and 43 runs from 41 balls for the fourth wicket with Hasan Nawaz (16).

After Pakistan collapsed to 103 for six in 14 overs, Shahid Aziz and Saad Masood staged a recovery, adding 59 runs in 37 balls for an unbeaten seventh-wicket partnership. Shahid returned not out on 30 from 18 balls with two fours and two sixes, while Saad scored 29 not out from 22 balls with four fours.

For the Lions, Scott Currie was the most effective bowler, taking three wickets for 27 runs, while James Coles picked up two wickets for 28 runs.

Scores in brief:

3rd T20 – England Lions beat Pakistan Shaheens by two wickets, Abu Dhabi

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, Ben McKinney 20; Saad Masood 2-22, Maaz Sadaqat 2-29)

Previous matches:

1st T20: England Lions beat Pakistan Shaheens by four wickets.

2nd T20: England Lions beat Pakistan Shaheens by 32 runs.

Upcoming matches (all matches in Abu Dhabi):

1st 50-over match: 27 February

2nd 50-over match: 1 March

3rd 50-over match: 4 March

4th 50-over match: 6 March

5th 50-over match: 9 March