Shadab Khan's Record Century Drags Pakistan from the Brink to Beat England
Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan smashed an unbeaten 113 at No. 8 and shared a record last-wicket stand with Haris Rauf to drag Pakistan from 154 for 9 to a one-wicket ODI victory over England in Lahore.
Pakistan beat England by one wicket in a stunning ODI comeback at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday, booking their place in the tri-nation series final. England batted first and posted 241 all out in 46.4 overs, with Ben Duckett providing the backbone of their innings with 105 off 111 balls — his fifth ODI century. Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 4 for 46 to dismantle England's batting lineup after Duckett's departure.
Chasing 242, Pakistan's top order crumbled under pressure from Jamie Overton (3-43) and Liam Dawson (2-19), with the hosts sliding to 154 for 9. England appeared certain to register their first win of the series when 28-year-old Shadab Khan walked in at number eight with last man Haris Rauf as his only remaining partner.
What followed was extraordinary. Shadab launched a fearless counter-attack, finishing unbeaten on 113 off 96 balls, while Rauf contributed a crucial 7 not out off 19. Their last-wicket stand was the highest partnership for the final wicket in a successful ODI run chase in history, carrying Pakistan over the line and sending the Gaddafi Stadium crowd into delirium.
Shadab dedicated the win to his mother and wife on social media. Praise poured in from across the cricket world, with Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews writing that Shadab had "won it for Pakistan out of nowhere," English commentator Nasser Hussain hailing Pakistan's "incredible run chase" on Sky Sports, and former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf calling it a "superb display of positive intent."
