Shadab Khan produced a career-defining performance to guide Pakistan to a sensational one-wicket victory over England in the ODI tri-series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday. His maiden ODI century, combined with an extraordinary last-wicket partnership with Haris Rauf, rescued Pakistan from the brink of defeat and secured their place in the final.
Chasing a target of 242, Pakistan reached 242-9 in 47.1 overs after enduring a disastrous start and losing wickets at regular intervals. Shadab remained unbeaten on 113, while Rauf provided crucial support as the pair added 89 runs for the tenth wicket to complete one of Pakistan’s most dramatic recent ODI victories.
England had earlier been bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs, with Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi leading the attack with an impressive four-wicket haul.
Shadab Khan’s Maiden ODI Century Rescues Pakistan
Pakistan’s chase began on the worst possible note as England’s bowlers tore through the top order during the opening overs. Gus Atkinson dismissed Fakhar Zaman for 10 from 18 balls in the fifth over before debutant Henry Crocombe removed Saim Ayub for six in the following over.
Atkinson then bowled Babar Azam for 10, leaving Pakistan in serious trouble at 31-3 after 6.5 overs. The early dismissals placed enormous pressure on the middle order, with England firmly in control of the contest.
Saad Baig and Salman Ali Agha attempted to rebuild the innings with a fourth-wicket partnership worth 43 runs. Saad played aggressively, scoring 32 from just 22 deliveries with seven boundaries, but Jamie Overton broke the stand to halt Pakistan’s recovery.
Hasan Nawaz joined Agha at the crease, but Liam Dawson dismissed Nawaz for 15 off 33 balls. Overton then removed Arafat Minhas for one, reducing Pakistan to 103-6 after 23.1 overs.
England continued to tighten their grip as Dawson sent Agha back to the pavilion for 26 from 49 deliveries, an innings that included two fours. Overton followed up by dismissing captain Shaheen Afridi for four, leaving Pakistan with little margin for error.
With the required runs still to come and wickets disappearing quickly, Pakistan’s hopes rested increasingly on Shadab.
Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf Deliver an Unforgettable Finish
Shadab found a valuable partner in debutant Razaullah, who struck a six during a brief but useful contribution. Their effort helped Pakistan move beyond 150, but Will Jacks dismissed Razaullah for eight off 15 balls, leaving the hosts at 154-9 and facing an almost certain defeat.
Rather than surrender, Shadab continued to attack while managing the pressure of the chase. He reached his sixth ODI half-century before pushing on to register his first century in the format, turning a difficult situation into a remarkable individual achievement.
His innings proved particularly significant because Pakistan had lost nine wickets before reaching the target. With the tail exposed, every run became critical, and Shadab had to balance attacking strokes with the need to keep the innings alive.
Rauf rose to the occasion at the other end. Although he contributed only seven runs from 19 deliveries, his presence allowed Shadab to continue accumulating runs as the pair built an extraordinary 89-run partnership for the final wicket.
Shadab eventually finished unbeaten on 113 from 96 balls, striking 13 fours and five sixes. Rauf then scored the winning runs, sealing a one-wicket victory that sparked celebrations for the home side.
Dramatic DRS Review Gives Pakistan a Lifeline
The closing stages of the match featured a moment that could easily have ended Pakistan’s hopes. With 21 runs still required, Shadab faced an LBW appeal from Atkinson that was initially given out.
Believing the decision had gone against him, Shadab appeared to accept his fate and even shook hands with England players as they began moving towards the dressing room.
However, the review changed everything. UltraEdge showed a spike, indicating contact with the bat, and the original decision was overturned. Shadab was allowed to continue, giving Pakistan another chance to complete the improbable chase.
The reprieve proved decisive as the all-rounder maintained his composure and continued guiding the innings towards victory. His unbeaten century, supported by Rauf’s contribution at the other end, ultimately carried Pakistan over the finish line.
The dramatic review added another extraordinary chapter to a match already defined by collapsing batting orders, a remarkable recovery and a tense final-wicket battle.
Shaheen Afridi’s Four-Wicket Haul Restricts England to 241
Earlier in the contest, Pakistan’s bowlers produced a strong performance to dismiss England for 241 in 46.4 overs after the visitors were asked to bat first.
Shaheen made an immediate impact by removing Tom Banton for four and Joe Root for five. England captain Harry Brook was then run out for one by debutant Razaullah, leaving the visitors struggling at 11-3.
The early collapse gave Pakistan a major advantage, but Jordan Cox and Ben Duckett attempted to stabilise England’s innings. Their efforts were interrupted when Haris Rauf dismissed Cox for six, reducing England to 52-4.
Duckett subsequently found an effective partner in Sam Curran, and the pair rebuilt the innings through a fifth-wicket stand worth 93 runs. Their partnership provided England with the stability needed to recover from the disastrous opening.
Duckett was the standout performer, scoring 105 from 111 balls to register his fifth ODI century. His innings featured 10 fours and two sixes, helping England regain momentum after losing four wickets cheaply.
Curran contributed 42 from 52 deliveries before Shaheen ended his innings, breaking the partnership and giving Pakistan an important breakthrough.
Razaullah and Arafat Minhas Strengthen Pakistan’s Bowling Effort
Pakistan continued to take wickets as England attempted to accelerate during the middle and lower stages of the innings.
Razaullah dismissed Will Jacks for 13 before claiming the wicket of Liam Dawson, who scored five. The two dismissals gave the debutant two wickets in the match, marking an encouraging contribution on his ODI debut.
Arafat Minhas also made a significant impact by taking two wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Duckett. Removing England’s centurion prevented the visitors from building further momentum and helped Pakistan regain control.
With the innings approaching its conclusion, Atkinson and Overton added useful runs to push England beyond the 200-run mark. Minhas dismissed Overton for 10, while Shaheen removed Crocombe for eight to bring the innings to an end.
Atkinson remained unbeaten on 36 from 28 deliveries, including three sixes, ensuring England finished with a competitive total of 241.
Shaheen led Pakistan’s bowling figures with 4-46 in 8.4 overs. Razaullah and Minhas claimed two wickets apiece, while Rauf added one wicket to his contribution.
Pakistan Secure Their Place in the ODI Tri-Series Final
Pakistan’s victory was built on two contrasting but equally important performances: Shaheen’s incisive new-ball spell and Shadab’s extraordinary rescue act with the bat.
England appeared to have done enough to defend 241 after reducing Pakistan to 154-9. However, Shadab’s determination and Rauf’s support transformed a seemingly lost contest into a memorable triumph for the hosts.
The result also secured Pakistan’s place in the ODI tri-series final, giving the team a significant boost ahead of the tournament’s decisive match.
For Shadab, the occasion marked a major personal milestone. His maiden ODI century came under intense pressure, with Pakistan’s chances hanging by a thread and almost no batting support remaining.
For Rauf, contributing to the match-winning partnership and scoring the decisive runs made his role equally memorable. Together, the pair demonstrated the value of resilience in a format where even a small opening can change the outcome.
Pakistan’s one-wicket victory over England will be remembered for Shadab’s unbeaten 113, the dramatic DRS reprieve and the extraordinary 89-run last-wicket stand that turned near-certain defeat into a famous win in Lahore.
