England's hopes of wrapping up a fifth successive series victory crumbled after collapsing on the final afternoon to Pakistan's multi-talented attack at Old Trafford today.
Resuming the final day needing a further 285 to claim a sensational victory on 85 without loss, England seemed certain to secure the draw which would have sealed a 1-0 series success after opener Marcus Trescothick hit a superb 117.
But Pakistan's decision to take the new ball on 192 for three with 31 overs still remaining dramatically changed the course of the amazing match, with eight wickets falling in the next 23 overs as England slumped to 261 all out and a 108-run defeat.
Captain Waqar Younis began the onslaught, removing Graham Thorpe's off-stump with the fifth delivery after taking the new ball.
But England appeared to have averted the crisis with Alec Stewart and Ian Ward resisting for the next 10 overs.
However, Wasim Akram, making his final Test appearance at his adopted Old Trafford home, provided the impetus for the final demise by ending Trescothick's 365 minutes at the crease three overs later with a bouncer which the Somerset left-hander gloved behind to wicketkeeper Rashid Latif.
Saqlain Mushtaq, who had wheeled away for 43 overs in the day without success, claimed his first wicket of the day three overs later when Stewart prodded only half forward and was given leg before.
Nick Knight was dismissed for a first-ball duck four deliveries later when Wasim hit him on the back foot, although television replays indicated he should have been no-balled for over-stepping , the first of four similar incidents which undermined England's survival bid.
That injustice was repeated in Saqlain's next over when Ward cut behind to Latif, despite the Pakistan off-spinner also landing in front of the bowling crease and he bowled Andrew Caddick comprehensively with his next delivery.
England had lost four wickets for one run in 13 deliveries and although Darren Gough and Dominic Cork resisted for a further 10 overs, Pakistan wrapped up their sensational triumph with 6.5 overs remaining. -PA