Shadab Khan’s Miracle 113 Stuns England as Pakistan Win by One Wicket

Just when Lahore was emptying out, Shadab Khan rewrote the night. Pakistan were nine down and 88 runs from victory, but an unbeaten 113 and a record last-wicket stand with Haris Rauf flipped the contest and sent England spiralling again. The one-wicket win books Pakistan’s place in the tri-series final.

From Exit Queues to Pandemonium

At 154 for nine, queues were already forming at the Gaddafi Stadium exits. England looked to have the game wrapped up.

Shadab had other plans. With No 11 Haris Rauf offering steady company, he began finding the boundary again and again as England’s nerves frayed.

It was the second time in four days that England watched a sure thing slip away.

The lbw Drama on 97

The tension peaked when Shadab was given out lbw on 97. He slammed his bat into the turf in frustration and shook hands with the England players.

Then came a last-chance review, and an inside edge was found. He was reprieved, and the match was back on.

The Final 21 Runs

From there, 21 were needed and 21 were hit. Rauf argued over a Sam Curran wide, and Joe Root had to calm Will Jacks down.

Shadab reached a first international hundred, and Rauf drove Henry Crocombe for four to finish it. Their stand of 89 is the highest for the 10th wicket in any successful ODI chase.

How England Built Their Chance

England’s bowlers had kept their nerve for long periods. Gus Atkinson claimed Fakhar Zaman’s wicket to open his account, and debutant Henry Crocombe removed Saim Ayub.

Atkinson then fired through Babar Azam’s gate, silencing the home crowd. Saad Baig’s quick 32 ended when Jacks held a bullet at backward point.

Spin and Squeeze

Liam Dawson and Jamie Overton bowled tight lines and the pressure built. Hasan Nawaz holed out to Harry Brook off Dawson, and Arafat Minhas fell to Overton at short fine leg.

Jacks then produced a gorgeous delivery through bat and pad to leave Pakistan nine down. It looked like game over.

Duckett’s Hundred Not Enough

Earlier, Ben Duckett made his fifth ODI century, a knock full of sweeps. It was his first hundred against Pakistan and his second at Lahore.

Around him, England’s first four wickets fell for 4, 5, 1 and 6. Tom Banton became Shaheen Shah Afridi’s 150th ODI wicket, and Brook was run out coming back for a second.

A Total That Left Runs Behind

Curran gave Duckett a 93-run partnership before Shaheen returned and broke it. England’s last five wickets added 96, and they were bowled out for 241 with 20 balls unused.

That left them looking underdone, and Shadab and Rauf proved it.

What It Means for the Final

Pakistan are through to the final. England now need a miracle: Pakistan must beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday, and England must then thrash Sri Lanka on Thursday.

After Thursday’s 859-run run-fest, this was a pared-down contest, and it still delivered a night Lahore will not forget. For England, it was another lead they could not hold.