Nervy England sneak home to level series

LONDON, Sept 10 (Reuters) England today produced a Jekyll and Hyde performance before sneaking victory in the fifth and final one-dayer against Pakistan to draw the series 2-2.

The home side, helped by the best of the conditions, produced a fine display in the field to restrict Pakistan to 154 for nine and then batted wildly and erratically before winning by three wickets with 19 overs to spare.

Only skipper Andrew Strauss, with a polished 35 off 41 balls, batted with any conviction in a dramatic run chase at Edgbaston, while Ed Joyce, Kevin Pietersen and Chris Read all threw away their wickets.

Pakistan, who had collapsed from 43 without loss to 72 for five, had some excuse for their poor total, with England's bowlers benefiting from some early swing and seam movement at Edgbaston.

The home side, however, who crumbled from 102 for three to 118 for seven, had fewer mitigating circumstances before Michael Yardy (12 not out) and Sajid Mahmood (22 not out) restored some sanity.

REUTERS PKS PM2147