Pakistan beat England by one wicket in a thrilling ODI tri-series encounter at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night, with Shadab Khan producing a remarkable century to guide the hosts to victory after a dramatic batting collapse.
Pakistan chased down England’s 241-run target in 47.1 overs, finishing at 243-9 after slipping to 154-9 in 33.5 overs. Shadab remained unbeaten on 113 off 96 balls, while Haris Rauf contributed seven not out and struck the winning boundary to complete an extraordinary comeback.
The victory marked Pakistan’s third consecutive win in the ODI tri-series. England, meanwhile, suffered their third successive defeat and remained at the bottom of the standings.
Shadab and Haris produced the decisive moment of the match by putting together an unbeaten 89-run partnership for the 10th wicket from just 80 balls. Their stand rescued Pakistan from a position that appeared almost impossible and delivered the team’s ninth one-wicket victory in ODI cricket.
Shadab Khan Leads Pakistan’s Remarkable Comeback
Shadab entered the crease at 103-6 in the 24th over and gradually took responsibility for Pakistan’s struggling innings. His 113-run knock included 13 fours and five sixes, earning him the Player of the Match award.
The century was Shadab’s first in international cricket and his second in competitive cricket. He demonstrated composure under pressure, combining calculated batting with powerful strokes when Pakistan needed quick runs.
His innings became particularly aggressive after Pakistan lost its ninth wicket. Shadab was on 32 off 35 balls when Haris joined him, but he accelerated dramatically as the pair began their unlikely chase.
All five of Shadab’s sixes and nine of his 13 boundaries came after Pakistan had lost nine wickets, underlining his ability to deliver when the match appeared to be slipping away.
The chase also featured a major moment of controversy and relief for Pakistan. Shadab, batting on 97, was given out leg-before-wicket against Gus Atkinson in the 45th over, with Pakistan still needing 21 runs.
England’s players began celebrating, while the last-wicket pair appeared to be heading off the field. However, a review revealed an inside edge off Shadab’s bat, overturning the decision and allowing him to continue his innings.
Shadab eventually completed his century and helped Pakistan move closer to victory before Haris finished the contest with a boundary.
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England Recover Through Ben Duckett’s Century
England struggled early in their innings after Pakistan’s bowlers made immediate inroads. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck in the opening over by dismissing Tom Banton, reaching the milestone of 150 ODI wickets in the process.
Shaheen became the fastest Pakistan fast bowler to reach the landmark. He later dismissed Joe Root to strengthen Pakistan’s position.
England lost their first three wickets for just 19 runs. Debutant Razaullah also contributed to the early pressure by helping dismiss Harry Brook through a brilliant throw, while Jordan Cox departed in the 10th over with England at 52.
Ben Duckett then steadied the innings with a superb 105 off 111 balls. Sam Curran supported him with 42 off 52 deliveries as the pair added 93 runs to rebuild England’s innings.
Their partnership provided England with a platform after the early collapse, but Pakistan regained control through disciplined bowling.
Arafat Minhas and Razaullah claimed two wickets each as England slipped to 201-9 in 40.4 overs. However, Gus Atkinson and debutant Henry Crocombe added valuable late runs to strengthen the total.
Atkinson remained unbeaten on 36 off 28 balls, striking three sixes, while Crocombe scored eight. Their 40-run partnership for the 10th wicket helped England reach 241 all out in 46.4 overs.
Shaheen finished with four wickets for 46 runs, while Minhas claimed two for 26 and Razaullah took two for 38.
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England Bowlers Push Pakistan to the Brink
Pakistan’s chase began to unravel after the team lost wickets at regular intervals. Atkinson dismissed Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, while Crocombe removed Saim Ayub to put England in a strong position.
Saad Baig offered resistance with 32 off 22 balls, including seven boundaries. Salman Ali Agha scored 26 from 49 deliveries, while Hasan Nawaz added 15. However, Pakistan struggled to maintain momentum as England’s bowlers continued to apply pressure.
From 74-3, Pakistan lost six wickets for just 80 runs across the middle overs, leaving the hosts facing a steep challenge.
Jamie Overton took three wickets for 43 runs, while Liam Dawson claimed two wickets. Atkinson also finished with two scalps, and Crocombe and Will Jacks picked up one wicket each.
Despite the collapse, Shadab’s determination and Haris’s support transformed the match. Their final-wicket partnership not only secured victory but also delivered one of Pakistan’s most dramatic ODI finishes.
Pakistan Strengthen Their Position in the Tri-Series
The win gave Pakistan a third consecutive victory and strengthened their position in the ODI tri-series. Shadab’s performance will stand out as the defining moment of the contest, while Haris’s contribution under pressure proved equally important to the result.
England will need to address their early batting collapses and inability to defend a competitive total as they look to recover from three straight defeats.
For Pakistan, the dramatic win offered a reminder of the value of resilience in one-day cricket. With nine wickets down and the target still in sight, Shadab and Haris delivered when their team needed them most.
Match Scorecard
England: 241 all out in 46.4 overs
Ben Duckett 105, Sam Curran 42, Gus Atkinson 36 not out; Shaheen Shah Afridi 4-46, Arafat Minhas 2-26, Razaullah 2-38.
Pakistan: 243-9 in 47.1 overs
Shadab Khan 113 not out, Saad Baig 32, Salman Ali Agha 26; Jamie Overton 3-43, Liam Dawson 2-19, Gus Atkinson 2-40.
Result: Pakistan won by one wicket.
Player of the Match: Shadab Khan (Pakistan).
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