KABIR Ali turned a whole section of the Pindi Stadium into little England as his career-best batting kept his friends and family rapt -- and almost brought off an unlikely team win.

The Worcestershire all-rounder, who lived in nearby Mirpur between the ages of five and 12, was cheered on by his father Shabir and many more as his unbeaten 39 carried England close to victory in the fourth one-day international at Rawalpindi.

Kabir and last-wicket partner James Anderson took England within 13 runs of Pakistan's 210 before former team-mate Shoaib Akhtar finished the job to give the hosts a series victory.

"I think the Wasim Akram stand was more the Ali stand yesterday, because all my family was there," joked the 25-year-old.

"There was my dad, brother, cousins and a lot of family friends -- all wearing England shirts and supporting us."

In the end, Kabir was unable to give his fans the result craved following their respective 10-hour and two-hour journeys from England and Mirpur.

"It was obviously disappointing we lost the game, but they were pleased I did reasonably well," he said, reflecting on a result which conceded a 3-1 lead to Pakistan.

England play only for pride and International Cricket Council ranking points in today's final fixture.

Kabir did enough in his first competitive outing on the tour to put his name in the frame alongside the impressive Liam Plunkett as an option to fit in as a pace-bowling all-rounder.

Kabir figured prominently in last spring's one-day series in South Africa but has taken a back seat since.

He hopes now he has improved his prospects of being picked to stay in England's limited-overs squad to tour India next spring as they continue their preparation for the 2007 World Cup.

"Other bowlers have been doing well. Unfortunately for the team, Steve Harmison was unwell so I got my chance," he said.

"I've done well with the ball and then with the bat too in this last game, so I've got my fingers crossed that I could sneak through (for India).

"I've worked hard over the last couple of years on my batting. I am pleased with the way things are going -- I got a few runs in first-class cricket last summer.

"There's more room for all-rounders than just bowlers, so I'm trying to polish my batting up. That would obviously be a plus-point for me."

Kabir has also benefited from the input of Worcestershire's overseas players in recent years -- not least Pakistan's number one strike bowler and old team-mate Shoaib.

"It was good to have Shoaib around and I worked quite closely with him. I think I learned quite a bit off him and (Sri Lanka pace bowler) Chaminda Vaas before him."

Shoaib, who dropped a routine return catch to reprieve his Worcestershire colleague on only 11 yesterday, did not exactly go easy on his protege.

"He said a few things, gave me a little bit of nonsense in the middle," said Kabir. "But he is one of the very good bowlers I look up to. Every overseas player we have, I talk to them quite a bit."