The Asia Cup runners-up go 3-2 up in the seven-match series with two to play after defending 145 at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, despite 51 not out from Moeen Ali
Lahore: Pakistan 145, England 139-7 - Pakistan won by six runs
Pakistan survived a late charge from stand-in captain Moeen Ali to edge ahead in the seven-match T20I series against England in Lahore.
The hosts defended 145 to go 3-2 up in the series with two games remaining, following a six-run success.
England were reduced to 85 for 6 in the 15th over, leaving them needing 61 from 34 balls.
Moeen smashed Haris Rauf for sixes in successive overs and also dispatched Mohammad Wasim over the boundary to silence the home fans.
Debutant Aamer Jamal returned for the final over needing to defend 15 and though Moeen chopped him for a 92-meter maximum to bring up his half-century, there was more final over heartbreak for England.
It was a remarkable victory for Pakistan, having set England a modest target and with conditions on the outfield becoming increasingly moist because of the dew.
Babar Azam's side were firmly on the backfoot after being bowled out for an under-par 145 in 19 overs by an on-song England.
Mark Wood returned to the XI and produced his second-best T20I figures of 3 for 20, dismissing Babar Azam (9), Haider Ali (4) and Asif Ali (5).
Moeen Ali's half-century kept England on course for victory, until Jamal's heroics at the death (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Mohammad Rizwan was a nuisance throughout, hitting 63 from 46 balls but only two other players reached double figures.
David Willey and Sam Curran (both 2 for 23) chipped in with regular wickets and with dew having already set in ahead of the second half of the game England were big favourites.
But in dismissing three of their top four in the powerplay, Pakistan seized the initiative.
What followed was a masterclass of spin in the middle overs. Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed produced combined figures of 8-0-41-2, comprising 17 dots and just two boundaries.
When Sam Curran was dismissed by Jamal, Pakistan looked to sauntering toward a handsome victory. Moeen, who continues to deputise as skipper for the injured Jos Buttler, had other ideas smashing six boundaries to keep England alive.
In another dramatic finale in this thrilling series, Babar threw the ball to 26-year-old Jamal who produced a flurry of wide yorkers that Moeen was unable to get away - one disappeared over the rope when the seamer got his length wrong - to secure a six-run success ahead of the concluding matches in Lahore.
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