Billings 50 in vain as Lions lose to Pakistan A in Dubai
Monday 25th January 2016
Sam Billings hit his second half-century in three matches for England Lions as a late collapse kept the five-match series alive against Pakistan A in Dubai.
James Vince won the toss and fielded first and his century and 90-run stand with Billings looked to put the tourists in pole position, chasing 289 to win.
Daniel Bell-Drummond scored 12 on his first start in the series as Pakistan fought back, taking five wickets for 13 runs to reduce Lions lead to 2-1.
Billings hit three fours and a six as he accelerated the scoring by rotating the strike and helping Vince reach three figures.
Only Liam Dawson’s run-a-ball 41 put Lions in a good position to seal an unassailable 3-0 series lead before Mohammad Abbas struck twice including the prized scalp of Dawson to dash English hopes.
The Lions will aim to bounce back on Thursday in the fourth match with the final game scheduled for Saturday (both matches start at 5.30am GMT).