England held their nerve to clinch the second one-day international against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

While Monday's opener turned out to be a one-sided affair, Wednesday's clash hung in the balance throughout, until Misbah-ul-Haq's dismissal marked the end of Pakistan's resistance as they succumbed to a 20-run defeat.

Once again England's victory was built on the back of a century from Alastair Cook, who became the first captain in their one-day history to score back-to-back centuries.

Although he failed to kick on and England landed 10 runs short of their previous total, this time finishing on 250 for four, that still proved enough as Steven Finn collected another four-wicket haul.

Pakistan had seen the benefits of gradual accummulation in England's two totals in the series thus far and decided that a pragmatic approach was likely to take them close.

Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Farhat therefore eased to 61 without loss in the opening 15 overs to provide the base their side required, but Pakistan were ultimately undone by the loss of wickets at regular intervals - five of their top six passed 20, but the best anyone managed was the 47 put up by both Farhat and Misbah.

Farhat's wicket was key, with Stuart Broad preying on a moment of confusion to run the opener out when Pakistan were well set on 92 for one.

Nevertheless there were enough contributions to keep Pakistan rolling, with Azhar Ali adding 31 and Misbah providing middle-order strength.

At 179 for four with a little more than 11 overs remaining Pakistan were favourites, but Umar Akmal (21) fell victim to the returning Finn and Shahid Afridi was bowled by James Anderson for a run-a-ball 18 to leave Misbah as the last hope.

The skipper was not done any favours by the arrival of Abdur Rehman, who wasted 11 dot balls before Finn put him out of his misery - a sequence which all but ended Pakistan's chances.

Misbah's edge through to Craig Kieswetter off of Broad was the final nail in the coffin, and Pakistan were eventually all out for 230 with an over remaining.

The first half of the match was a very similar story to Monday's opening clash, with England winning the toss and electing to bat, but ultimately relying on a ton from their skipper and a half-century from Ravi Bopara.

Despite the fact that the top order were more supportive this time around than they were in the first ODI, with Kevin Pietersen scoring 26 and Jonathan Trott putting up 23, England wound up 10 runs short of their previous total.

Cook made full use of his one reprieve, when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Umar Akmal off the bowling of Afridi when he was on just 28.

Although it was another flair-less innings, which saw him go to three figures in 118 deliveries, it was an effective one as Cook never allowed himself to get bogged down.

He shared in a partnership of 67 for the opening wicket with Pietersen - who was trapped lbw by Saeed Ajmal - and 49 with Trott, who was caught behind off the bowling of Aizaz Cheema.

Thereafter it was the Cook and Bopara Show once more, as the pair put on 78 in 14 overs to put England in a dominant position.

Cook was caught and bowled by Afridi just moments after reaching his hundred, and although they were unable to produce major fireworks at the end, Bopara and Eoin Morgan (25 not out) added some late runs.

Bopara was out off the final ball of the innings, when he was caught behind off Cheema for 58.