Shadab Khan delivered an extraordinary century in Lahore to secure a one-wicket victory for Pakistan against England. The win also guaranteed Pakistan a place in the tri-series final.
,Pakistan looked down and out during their run chase at 154 for nine, needing another 88 runs for victory. Spectators began heading for the exits as England closed in on a routine win. Shadab and Haris Rauf forged an unlikely final-wicket partnership to turn the match on its head.
,Drama peaked when Shadab was given out lbw to a full toss on 97. He began walking off the pitch and shook hands with the England team before a review revealed an inside edge. Reprieved, he continued his assault and finished unbeaten on 113.
,The fixture followed a high-scoring encounter earlier in the week, but this contest shifted firmly in favour of the bowlers for large stretches. Pakistan wore West Indies World Series salmon pink shirts to raise awareness for breast cancer. They appeared in control at the halfway stage after bowling out England for 241 with 20 balls to spare.
,England’s innings earlier in the day had been anchored by Ben Duckett, who compiled his fifth ODI century. Duckett registered 105 runs, featuring various sweeps, after Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl. Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed a milestone 150th ODI wicket early on by removing Tom Banton.
,England suffered a top-order collapse, losing their first four wickets cheaply. A partnership of 93 runs between Duckett and Sam Curran steadied the visitors before Curran fell for 42 to Shaheen. England’s lower order added vital runs to push the total to 241, with Arafat Minhas eventually dismissing Duckett.
,Pakistan encountered their own difficulties during the power play under the Lahore floodlights. Fakhar Zaman edged a drive to Jamie Overton at slip off Gus Atkinson. Debutant Sonny Crocombe claimed his maiden ODI wicket by removing Saim Ayub.
,Babar Azam provided brief stability for the home crowd with crisp drives before Atkinson bowled him. Saad Baig contributed 32 runs, but regular breakthroughs from the England attack left Pakistan reeling at 103 for six. Liam Dawson, Sam Curran, and Overton maintained pressure as wickets continued to tumble.
,Razaullah removed Razaullah and Salman Ali Agha fell to Dawson, leaving Pakistan nine wickets down. The improbable recovery led by Shadab and Rauf ultimately stunned the tourists and sealed the match.
