LAHORE: Shadab Khan scored his maiden One Day International (ODI) century and shared an unbeaten 89-run partnership with Haris Rauf to help Pakistan secure a thrilling one-wicket victory over England in the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 242 runs, Pakistan reached 245-9 in 47.1 overs, with Shadab remaining unbeaten on 113 off 96 deliveries, including 13 fours and five sixes.
Pakistan were struggling at 154-9 before Shadab and Rauf combined to keep the hosts in contention and complete the chase. Rauf scored seven not out off 19 balls, while Shadab led the recovery with a determined innings.
The victory secured Pakistan’s place in the tri-series final.
How Did Shadab Khan Rescue Pakistan From Defeat?
Pakistan suffered an early collapse after England’s bowlers reduced the hosts to 31-3 in 6.5 overs. Gus Atkinson dismissed Fakhar Zaman for 10 and Babar Azam for 10, while debutant Henry Crocombe removed Saim Ayub for six.
Saad Baig and Salman Ali Agha attempted to stabilise the innings with a 43-run fourth-wicket partnership. Saad scored 32 off 22 balls, including seven boundaries, before Jamie Overton broke the stand.
Hasan Nawaz scored 15 before Liam Dawson dismissed him, while Overton removed Arafat Minhas for one. Dawson then sent Agha back for 26, and Overton dismissed captain Shaheen Afridi for four.
Shadab continued to fight as wickets fell at the other end. Debutant Razaullah contributed eight before Will Jacks dismissed him, leaving Pakistan nine wickets down for 154.
Shadab subsequently brought up his sixth ODI half-century before reaching his maiden century in the format.
What Made Pakistan’s Final-Wicket Partnership Dramatic?
The match took a dramatic turn when Shadab survived an lbw decision against Gus Atkinson after opting for a review.
Initially appearing to accept his dismissal, Shadab even shook hands with England players as they began moving towards the dressing room. However, UltraEdge revealed a spike, prompting the decision to be overturned and allowing him to continue batting.
Shadab and Rauf then maintained their composure to complete the chase, with Rauf scoring the winning runs and sealing Pakistan’s one-wicket victory.
Earlier, England were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs after Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi took four wickets.
England also endured an early collapse, with Shaheen dismissing Tom Banton for four and Joe Root for five. Captain Harry Brook was run out for one by debutant Razaullah, leaving England at 11-3.
Jordan Cox fell for six to Rauf, reducing England to 52-4 before Ben Duckett and Sam Curran built a 93-run fifth-wicket partnership.
Duckett top-scored with 105 off 111 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes, registering his fifth ODI century. Curran contributed 42 off 52 deliveries before Shaheen dismissed him.
Razaullah and Arafat Minhas claimed two wickets apiece, while Minhas also dismissed Duckett. Jamie Overton scored 10 before falling to Minhas, and Shaheen completed England’s innings by dismissing Henry Crocombe for eight.
Gus Atkinson remained unbeaten on 36 off 28 balls, including three sixes, as England finished with 241.
Shaheen returned figures of 4-46 in 8.4 overs, while Razaullah and Minhas took two wickets each. Rauf claimed one wicket.