Liam Dawson took two wickets as England Lions beat Pakistan A by 41 runs to level their T20 series in the UAE.

James Vince was out for 13 as the Lions were restricted to 164-5, after losing the toss in Dubai.

The Hampshire and Lions captain's opening partner Dawid Malan again top scored with a 56-ball 80 (nine fours, two sixes).

Dawson, having made an unbeaten nine (five balls)after coming in at number seven, impressed after being brought on by his Hampshire captain as the Lions' third-change bowler.

The slow left-armer dismissed Pakistan A's two top scorers in Dubai before finishing with 2-25 from his four overs - his first wickets for the Lions since the first of his three appearances, against New Zealand A back in March 2009.

Dawson bowled No3 Sohaib Maqsood for 40 (34 balls) and his dismissal of Babar Azam - caught by Jamie Overton for a 31-ball 35 - reduced Pakistan A to 99-6.

It effectively ended their hopes of going 2-0 up in the series.

New Hampshire signing Reece Topley was the most economical Lions bowler with 1-19 from his four overs, while Overton (3-26) took the final wicket as Pakistan were all out for 123 midway throgh the final over.

The third of the five matches will be played tomorrow afternoon.