Shadab Khan produced a masterful display of batting, scoring an unbeaten 113 off 96 balls to lead Pakistan to a sensational one-wicket victory over England in Lahore. Batting at No. 8, Shadab anchored an incredible late-order surge that snatched a win from what appeared to be an inevitable defeat, effectively securing Pakistan a spot in the tri-series final. Smashing a century from No.8 to overturn a seemingly easy England win into a sensational one-wicket victory for Pakistan in Lahore, shadab Khan pulled off one of the all-time great ODI heists. Having failed to defend 429 four days ago, England slipped once again in vastly different circumstances, stunned by Shadab’s late assault. He kept picking boundaries almost every over, cracking 113* off 96 to seal Pakistan’s place in the final of the tri-series, on 19 off 28 at one point.
England, who had struggled previously, appeared to be in control as Pakistan slipped to 31-3 early in their pursuit of 242. Their poor start mirrored England’s, babar Azam was then cleaned up by an Atkinson peach; at 31-3.
While Saad Baig provided a brief spark with a 19-ball 32, Pakistan’s progress stalled significantly, failing to find the boundary for 15 consecutive overs.
With the loss of the ninth wicket in the 34th over, the match seemed decided, but Shadab and Haris Rauf combined for a record-breaking 89-run stand for the 10th wicket. It was a remarkable partnership considering they had lost their ninth wicket in the 34th over: a chase of 242 looked as good as done.
Haris Rauf contributed a resilient 7* from 19 deliveries, ultimately hitting the winning runs in the 48th over. Shadab’s innings, featuring 13 fours and five sixes, was the highlight of the chase. A moment of high tension occurred when Shadab was initially given out lbw on 21 needed; however, a review showed an inside edge, allowing him to continue his assault. Hammering the winning runs in the 48th over to kick off wild celebrations, no.11 Haris Rauf played his part with 7* off 19. It nearly ended rather anticlimactically when Shadab couldn’t pick a low full toss by Atkinson and was adjudged leg-before with 21 needed. By then, Ben Duckett had ambled to 7 off 12. Slightly scratchy to start with, Duckett became more assured with his punches and cuts, while also pulling and flicking anything drifting on his body. Which he found in Sam Curran, but he needed an ally to rebuild. With Saim Ayub and Salman Agha sharing an end, Curran eased in, even as Duckett kept ticking along. In hindsight, pace could have been introduced earlier against Curran. A top-edge off a slog sweep brought Duckett’s fall.
England’s innings was anchored by Ben Duckett, who scored 105 to help the team reach a total of 241. Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Shaheen Afridi, had reduced England to 19/3 early on. Shaheen finished with impressive figures of 4-46, removing key players like Tom Banton and Joe Root. Razaullah added to the pressure with 2-38, ensuring that despite a late 40-run partnership for the final wicket, England remained under 250. Slashing hard to backward point to give Shaheen his second, joe Root fell two overs later. And a 12-run over prompted Shaheen to give himself a second spell, duckett went after Agha. Brook was run out trying to steal a quick double after facing five dots from Shaheen. Who took 6 for 40 against the same opposition five days ago, came in to slow the game down further, arafat Minhas. But Shaheen returned to close off the innings with debutant Henry Crocombe’s wicket, ending a useful 40-run last-wicket stand, gus Atkinson’s three sixes ensured they crossed 240. Yet, Pakistan did not have a Duckett to hold the innings together.
The middle phase of the game saw Liam Dawson exert significant control for England, bowling 42 dot balls across his ten overs to stifle the Pakistani scoring rate. Despite this, Shadab’s composed approach and smart selection of scoring opportunities eventually dismantled the English bowling unit, which saw Jamie Overton claim 3-43 and Dawson finish with 2-30.
This win marks England’s third consecutive defeat in the tournament. The match concluded with Pakistan reaching 243/9 in 47.1 overs, a result that turned a dire situation into a memorable triumph for the home side. The partnership between Shadab and Rauf now stands as the highest-ever 10th-wicket stand in a successful ODI run chase, illustrating the sheer scale of the recovery.
