Southampton (England), Sept. 6: Younis Khan’s 101 was the centrepiece of Pakistan’s two-wicket win over England in the day/night third one-day international at the Rose Bowl here on Tuesday.

Pakistan, cruising to victory at 215/4, did suffer a late collapse that saw them lose three wickets for nine runs as they declined to 265/8, with fast bowler Stuart Broad striking twice in two balls. Victory saw Pakistan go 2-0 up and meant they could not lose the five-match series heading into Friday’s fourth fixture at Trent Bridge.

This defeat was England’s ninth in nine completed limited overs fixtures this season and meant they had won just four of their last 24 fixtures in shorter forms of cricket.

Set 272 to win, Pakistan finished on 274/8 after a third-wicket stand of 167 in 31 overs between Younis and Yousuf (60) saw the duo defy the conventional wisdom by successfully batting second under the lights after skipper Inzamam-ul Haq had won the toss.

Inzamam was 44 not out and Shoaib Akhtar two not out as the tourists won with seven balls to spare when the captain pulled Rikki Clarke for four.

But England captain Andrew Strauss took heart from England’s improved showing. "I think we showed a lot more positivity with the bat which was important. More than anything we showed a lot of fight in the whole game, and if we keep doing that we’ll turn things around sooner rather than later.

"We put the ball in the right areas but were a bit unlucky in the middle. All credit to Pakistan, people keep getting hundreds. and Younis Khan did that very well today."

Broad gave Pakistan a scare by taking two wickets in two balls in the 47th over to get rid of Abdul Razzaq (16), caught and Kamran Akmal, held at point by Paul Collingwood before Rana Naved was bowled by seamer Jon Lewis for seven. (AFP)