Chris Woakes held his nerve in the final over as England have beaten Pakistan by three runs to win a thrilling second Twenty20 international in Dubai.

Defending 11 runs, Woakes finished the innings with a dot ball as England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

James Vince impressed with the bat once again by making 38, but he was Shahid Afridi's third victim of the innings as the veteran all-rounder took out England's top three.

England continued to receive contributions, with Joe Root making 20 and Jos Buttler, who captained the side in the absence of Eoin Morgan, scoring 33 off 22 balls.

Woakes finished the innings 15 not out, but 172-8 looked a vulnerable total when Rafatullah Mohmand (23) and Ahmed Shehzad (28) scored 45 off the first five overs of the reply.

The introduction of the spinners was key as Stephen Parry (1-33) dismissed Shehzad, before Adil Rashid (2-18) removed Mohmand as both openers were stumped by Buttler.

Shoaib Malik ensured that Pakistan had a chance heading into the closing stages, but his exit was crucial as he picked out Sam Billings at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Liam Plunkett, who took 3-33.

Afridi (24) came to the crease to hit three sixes off a Woakes over, before a thick edge sent the ball to Plunkett at short third-man with Pakistan still needing 25 runs from the final 12 balls.

Sarfraz Ahmed ensured that Pakistan entered the final over needing 11 runs for victory with three wickets in hand, but Woakes returned to hit the stumps via a deflection off the sweeping batsman.

Sohail Tanvir started his knock with a boundary to calm the nerves, and singles off the next three balls left Pakistan requiring four from the final delivery but Anwar Ali was unable to make contact with a big swing as England secured the win.