ESSEX’S Ravi Bopara batted at number three as World Twenty20 champions England beat crisis-hit Pakistan by five wickets in Cardiff.

Bopara only managed 11 off 13 balls as England wobbled early on in their chase of Parkistan’s total of 126.

But Micharl Yardy rescued England from an alarming position of 62 for five as he compiled an unbroken sixth-wicket stand worth 67 with Eoin Morgan.

The first of two Twenty20 games in three days between the sides predictably failed to rise above a controversy that has crippled international cricket.

Pakistan’s visit to the Welsh capital was inevitably overshadowed by “spot-fixing” allegations made against their Test team skipper Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Asif’s fellow bowler Mohammad Aamer.

The trio are currently suspended following claims in last weekend’s News of the World when it was alleged Asif and Aamer bowled no balls to order during last month’s fourth Test against England at Lord’s.

All three players are the subject of police and International Cricket Council investigations, although they have denied any wrong-doing.

Pakistan’s Twenty20 team, under the enthusiastic leadership of Shahid Afridi, battled hard to defend a disappointing 126 for four after they were kept in check by England spinners Graeme Swann and Yardy.

And Yardy then did his bit with the bat, rescuing England from an alarming position of 62 for five as he compiled an unbroken sixth-wicket stand worth 67 with Eoin Morgan.