England romp to victory over dismal Pakistan

World champions England profited from an abject batting display by Pakistan to win the second Twenty20 international in Cardiff by six wickets.

After Pakistan had collapsed to 89 all out from 18.4 overs, England romped to 90 for four with six overs to spare to win the series 2-0. The teams will now meet in a five-match 50 overs series.

Pakistan could not cope with either a barrage of short-pitched bowling from the England pacemen or the slow bowling of Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy.

Umar Akmal hit Swann for two straight sixes into the sightscreen but was bowled for 17 when the England off-spinner kept his nerve and floated up another tempting delivery. Yardy was again economical, conceding 10 runs from his four overs.

An early wicket to Shoaib Akhtar and a brilliant run-out by Umar Akmal who hit the stumps at the bowler's end to account for Craig Kieswetter for 16 temporarily lifted Pakistan's morale.

But Paul Collingwood, who led England to victory in the Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean this year, scored 21 from 25 deliveries and Eion Morgan made 18 not out from 14 balls.

Pakistan are playing without test captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif who have been suspended from all cricket by the International Cricket Council under its anti-corruption code after an investigation into incidents in the fourth test at Lord's.

- Reuters