JAMES Anderson's best efforts were in vain as England suffered their second untimely defeat against Pakistan 'A' at Bagh-e-Jinnah to head for the start of their five-match series of limited-overs internationals nursing another new wound.

Anderson (4-46) took three wickets in five balls but still ended up on the losing side as the hosts sneaked a victory by one wicket with one ball to spare on the back of an unbeaten 90 from Bazid Khan.

Half-centuries from Matthew Prior (72) and Paul Collingwood (75no) had helped England to a competitive 236-7, after losing the toss and having to bat first on a hazy morning.

But Pakistan 'A' batted sensibly and kept wickets in hand for a decisive late surge which nicked the verdict at the death.

For England, it was a reminder of their six-wicket three-day defeat here against the same opposition which prefaced their 2-0 Test series reverse last month.

No one could predict the outcome with any certainty until Bazid hit the winning runs off Anderson to conclude an 88-ball match-winning innings which contained five fours and two sixes.

Prior had earlier clubbed 12 fours in a near run-a-ball 50, and Collingwood consolidated middle-order slot with his third half-century in as many innings as he marshalled the second half of his team's innings.

Worcestershire's Vikram Solanki made 26.