Bowling under the Oval lights, Gul's movement was too much for England

England captain Andrew Strauss praised Pakistan match-winner Umar Gul after the bowler produced a devastating spell in the third one-day international.

Gul took 4-6 in 18 balls to finish with 6-42 as England collapsed from 201-5 to 218 all out in a 23-run defeat.

"Chasing 240 you back yourself to win at The Oval, but it was an outstanding spell from Gul," said Strauss, whose side lead the five-match series 2-1.

"It leaves a sour taste in the mouth but credit to Pakistan."

Gul, something of an Oval specialist having taken 5-6 against New Zealand at the ground in last year's World Twenty20, swung the game in Pakistan's favour, but prior to his intervention England had seemed favourites to seal a victory that would have established an unassailable 3-0 series lead.

And while admitting that lessons could be learnt from the defeat, Strauss praised aspects of his side's display, adding that he expected them to bounce back in the next match at Lord's on Monday.

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"You don't want to be in a position where a bowler gets six wickets but we will do a debrief and try and learn the lessons, but you have to give credit to the way Pakistan defended that total," he said.

"The fielding was much improved and Jimmy [Anderson, who took 3-26] was outstanding. To restrict a team to 240 at The Oval, you think you are in the game.

"We are disappointed but we are still leading the series 2-1 and hopefully we can win the next game.

"We started losing wickets quickly and often - if we had batted 50 overs we would have won."

In contrast, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi stressed his side could still secure a 3-2 series win having pulled off a victory even he admitted had seemed unlikely when his side were restricted to 241 all out.

"The way we played was amazing and I know my team is capable of winning against any good side," enthused Afridi.

"I thought that our total was not enough. I thought we were short by about 30 or 40 runs, but a good side can defend any total.

"Umar Gul was amazing, it was perfect but Abdul Razzaq and Saeed Ajmal also bowled really well.

"We can definitely win this series and I want to thank the crowd for their support."

Pakistan's tour has been dogged by spot-fixing allegations - although they have managed a Test win against both Australia and England on the trip - but coach Waqar Younis also believes his side can finish with a flourish.

"The momentum is with us," he said. "It is outstanding to be going to Lord's with this win behind us and we will be looking to make it 2-2. There is no reason why not.

"It has been a real tough tour on and off the field with a very young side. We have done pretty well. We won two Test matches and I am pretty pleased if you look at the bigger picture but there is still work to be done."

Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal was expected to have an X-ray after the match on the finger injury which forced him off the field.

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