Shadab Khan’s unbeaten century sparks Pakistan’s stunning one-wicket ODI win
Pakistan produced a remarkable comeback in Lahore as Shadab Khan struck an unbeaten 113 from No. 8 to guide his side to a dramatic one-wicket victory over England. Chasing 242, Pakistan appeared close to defeat after slipping to 151 for 9, but Shadab and No. 11 Haris Rauf turned a near-certain loss into one of the most extraordinary finishes in recent ODI cricket.
The pair added an unbroken 89 runs for the tenth wicket, a record partnership for that position in a successful ODI chase. Rauf contributed seven not out from 19 balls, while Shadab supplied the decisive power, reaching his century from 96 deliveries with 13 fours and five sixes. Pakistan crossed the finish line at 243 for 9 in 47.1 overs, booking a place in the tri-series final and handing England their third consecutive defeat.
Shadab turns a lost cause into a winning prediction
For much of Pakistan’s innings, an England victory looked like the likeliest prediction. The hosts lost wickets regularly, struggled to find boundaries and were left needing a substantial contribution from the lower order. Shadab, however, kept the chase alive with a blend of patience and calculated aggression.
He did not begin with an all-out attack. At one stage, he had 19 runs from 28 balls, but he gradually identified opportunities to score. Rather than forcing risky shots against every delivery, Shadab waited for loose balls and punished them, finding the boundary in key overs to prevent England from tightening their grip completely. His innings showed why lower-order batters can be so influential in ODI cricket: a composed partnership can change the pressure, even when the required task appears overwhelming.
Rauf’s role was quieter but essential. He stayed at the crease, gave Shadab the strike when possible and resisted the urge to take unnecessary risks. The winning runs came in the 48th over, triggering celebrations among Pakistan’s players and supporters.
The finish nearly became even more dramatic. With 21 runs still needed, Shadab was struck on the pads by a low full toss from Gus Atkinson and given out leg-before. The players began shaking hands, believing the match was over, but a review showed an inside edge. Shadab was reprieved, and Pakistan’s unlikely chase continued to its conclusion.
England’s early collapse and Duckett’s recovery
England had earlier been bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs after Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi won the toss and chose to field. The visitors’ innings began poorly, falling to 19 for 3 as Afridi set the tone with the ball.
Tom Banton became Afridi’s 150th ODI wicket, while Joe Root was dismissed two overs later after edging a forceful shot towards backward point. Harry Brook’s run-out, following an attempted quick second run, left England in serious trouble. At that point, Ben Duckett was still settling in, having scored just seven from 12 deliveries.
Duckett responded by building his innings carefully. He started with a few uncertain strokes but grew more comfortable, using cuts and punches to rotate the strike and punishing deliveries that drifted onto his body. Sam Curran provided an important partner as England looked to rebuild. Their stand helped restore some stability, with Duckett taking advantage when Pakistan’s bowlers offered scoring opportunities.
Curran made 42 before Afridi removed him with a short delivery, ending a partnership that had helped England recover from their difficult start. Duckett continued to anchor the innings and reached a century, mixing controlled accumulation with occasional attacking shots. His 105 was the foundation of England’s total, but the innings lost its central figure when Arafat Minhas induced a top edge from a slog sweep.
Pakistan’s bowlers restrict England’s lower order
Minhas, who had taken six wickets against England five days earlier, again played an important role by slowing the scoring. His economical spell prevented England from building a late surge, while Razaullah used short-pitched bowling to trouble the lower-middle order.
England’s final push came largely through Atkinson, whose three sixes helped lift the total beyond 240. A useful 40-run last-wicket stand offered a late boost, but Afridi returned to dismiss debutant Henry Crocombe and close the innings. Afridi finished with four wickets for 46 runs, while Razaullah claimed two for 38.
Although 241 was a modest target by modern ODI standards, England had reasons to believe it could be defended. Pakistan’s top order did not settle, and the hosts’ chase began cautiously before losing momentum through a series of poor shots.
Pakistan’s chase falters before the final-wicket stand
The first three overs produced only six runs, but Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub briefly lifted the tempo by taking 12 from Crocombe’s second over. Both then fell in successive overs, and Babar Azam was bowled by a superb delivery from Atkinson. At 31 for 3, Pakistan’s start echoed England’s early collapse.
Saad Baig offered a burst of aggression, striking seven fours in a quick 32, but he was dismissed after attempting one attacking shot too many. Pakistan then endured a long boundary drought, going 15 overs without finding the rope. Hasan Nawaz and Salman Agha tried to rebuild, but England’s bowlers kept the scoring rate under control.
Liam Dawson was particularly effective, conceding little and finishing with two wickets for 30 runs. He delivered 42 dot balls in his ten overs, applying sustained pressure before dismissing Agha in the 29th over. Two wickets in four balls left Pakistan with only one recognised batter remaining and the match seemingly out of reach.
That was when Shadab changed the story. His century was not simply a display of power; it was an exercise in reading the game, choosing the right balls to attack and keeping his composure as wickets fell around him. The result gives Pakistan a place in the tri-series final, while England must regroup after another defeat. For cricket fans, the match offered a reminder that even a chase that appears settled can turn on one partnership—and that predictions in ODI cricket are never secure until the final wicket falls.
Match summary: England 241 (46.4 overs; Ben Duckett 105, Sam Curran 42; Shaheen Afridi 4-46, Razaullah 2-38) lost to Pakistan 243-9 (47.1 overs; Shadab Khan 113 not out, Saad Baig 32; Jamie Overton 3-43, Liam Dawson 2-30) by one wicket.
