Jonny Bairstow hit a maiden half-century and paceman Steven Finn took three wickets to guide England to a comfortable 38-run win in the second Twenty20 international against Pakistan on Saturday.

Bairstow’s 60 off 46 balls, studded with two sixes and five boundaries, helped England recover from a precarious 79-4 to post a challenging 150-7 before Finn claimed 3-30 to bowl Pakistan out for 112 in 18.2 overs at Dubai Stadium.

England’s victory levelled the Twenty20 series and set up an intriguing third and final match in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Pakistan were off to a disastrous start as Finn had Mohammad Hafeez (0) caught off the second ball of the innings and then removed a threatening Umar Akmal (19 off 12).

Pakistan were dealt further crucial blows when Awais Zia (six), Asad Shafiq (one) and Shoaib Malik (12) were out, leaving half the side back in the pavilion for just 50.

Shahid Afridi (25) lifted the tempo with two boundaries and a six off Samit Patel, taking 17 off the left-arm spinner’s 12th over, but England hit back by dismissing Misbah-ul Haq (13) at the other end.

Hammad Azam (21 off 15 balls) hit a four and a six off Ravi Bopara as Pakistan accumulated 11 off the 14th over and then hit two boundaries off Stuart Broad to reduce the target to 54 off the last five.

But Bopara dismissed Azam to once more peg Pakistan back at 98-7 and the task of getting 39 in the last two overs proved too much. Broad and Graeme Swann took two wickets apiece.

Earlier Bairstow made an unbeaten 60 off 46 balls, studded with five boundaries and two sixes, to help England recover after Broad won the toss and opted to bat.

Bairstow, who made his debut last year, improved on his unbeaten 22 he made during England’s eight-run defeat in the first match on Thursday, opened up with a four off Afridi and hit a six in the leg-spinner’s next to lift the scoring rate.

Bairstow added 39 for the fifth wicket with Patel (13) and then hit Umar Gul for a six before the bowler finished with 2-31.

England got off to a flying start, making 35 by the fifth over before Pakistan hit back by dismissing Kevin Pietersen (17), Bopara (one) and Eoin Morgan (nine) in the space of 14 runs.

Bairstow and opener Craig Kieswetter (31) added 30 for the fourth wicket as Pakistan bowled well in the middle overs.