Asa Tribe powers England Lions win over Pakistan Shaheens

In their first Twenty20 match in Abu Dhabi, England Lions defeated Pakistan Shaheens by four wickets thanks to Asa Tribe's unbeaten 64. Tribe, who has represented Jersey in international cricket, scored his half-century after playing 42 balls and anchored the run chase from No. 4. With five balls remaining, he led the Lions to a victory target of 153. James Coles, a Sussex all-rounder, combined with fellow spinners Dan Mousley and Nathan Sowter to put the clamps on in the middle overs. He claimed two for 20 from his four overs, making him the pick of the Lions' bowlers. Shamyl Hussain, the opener for Pakistan Shaheens, scored the most runs with 57 before being bowled by Sowter as he tried to make room for a cut. The Lions got off to a quick start thanks to three sixes from Ben McKinney in the first four overs, highlighted by two dismissive back-foot strikes that went right back down the ground. Tribe took control of the chase after Durham's opener hit 24 from 13 balls and top-edged a sweep when the Lions were 38 for 3 in trouble. The 21-year-old Glamorgan batter who played for Paarl Royals in the SA20 this winter hit six boundaries and a six, and he and Scott Currie added an unbroken 32 in 18 balls for the seventh wicket to win. On Sunday, the three-game T20 series will conclude with the second match. Following that, a one-day series consisting of five matches will be played in Abu Dhabi.