$row = array(
  "counter" => 1,
  "rows"  => array(
    "name"  => "Lester",
    "email" => "email@gmail.com",
  )
);
echo json_encode($row);

//outputs
{"counter":1,"rows":{"name":"Lester","email":"email@gmail.com"}}

// output i need
{ "counter":1,"rows": [{"name":"Lester","email":"email@gmail.com"}] }