DUBAI, Feb 21: Asad Shafiq and Azhar Ali hit half centuries as Pakistan were bowled out for 237 in their allotted 50 overs as they looked to avoid a series whitewash in the fourth and final One-day International against England here on Tuesday.

Asad made a 78-ball 65 for his sixth one-day fifty while Azhar notched a 89-ball 58 for his first to help lift Pakistan from the early loss of opener Mohammad Hafeez (1) in the second over after they won the toss and elected to bat.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq chipped in with a 52-ball 46 which included one four and a six.

Asad, who hit six boundaries, repaired the early loss during his second wicket stand of 111 with Azhar as Pakistan looked to salvage some pride after losing the first three matches.

England then pegged back Pakistan when paceman Tim Bresnan dismissed Asad off an inside edge and debutant left-arm spinner Danny Briggs accounted for Umar Akmal, who made 12.

Paceman Jade Dernbach, who finished with 4-45, had Azhar caught off a miscued drive by Eoin Morgan to leave Pakistan at 144-4 in the 34th over.

Misbah and Shoaib Malik (23) added 58 for the fifth wicket as Pakistan managed 26 in the batting power-play but failed to capitalise as Malik fell leg-before to Briggs who finished with 2-39.

Shahid Afridi also failed to help Misbah increase the run-rate in the final overs, as he holed out off Steven Finn for nine.

Pakistan were without experienced batsman Younis Khan for the second match in a row after he failed to recover from a fever, while opener Imran Farhat was left out due to a groin injury.

Paceman Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema were also excluded from the third match line-up with Junaid Khan, Malik and Abdul Rehman replacing them.

England omitted Ravi Bopara (stiff back), Graeme Swann (calf injury) and rested Stuart Broad and James Anderson. Their places were taken by Briggs, Jos Butler, Dernbach and Bresnan.—AFP

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