Pakistan on Thursday beat England in their first T20 cricket match by 8 runs in Dubai. With this victory, Pakistan went 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Ravi Bopara scored 39 and Umar Gul took three wickets as England were restricted on 136-6.

Earlier Pakistan set England a target of 145 runs to clinch the first T20 cricket match.

Shoaib Malik top-scored for Pakistan with 39 as the Green Shirts made 144-6 after losing the toss. Graeme Swann with 3-13 was England's most impressive bowler.