Key Takeaways
- Shadab Khan scores his maiden century to guide Pakistan to a one-wicket victory over England.
- Haris Rauf’s unbeaten seven and 89-run partnership with Shadab secure the win.
- Pakistan advances to the tri-series final, while England’s chances are in jeopardy.
Shadab Khan’s heroic century and a match-winning partnership with Haris Rauf saw Pakistan secure a thrilling one-wicket victory over England in the one-day international in Lahore on Sunday. The victory not only secured Pakistan’s spot in the tri-series final but also stunned the English team, who were on the brink of victory.
Defending a modest target of 242 runs, England appeared to be on track to win with the home team reduced to 154-9. However, Shadab’s unbeaten 113, which included five sixes and 13 boundaries, turned the game on its head. With 20 needed, Haris Rauf, who scored an unbeaten seven, played a crucial role in the final partnership, guiding Pakistan to a 17-ball winning boundary.
The victory was a significant turnaround for Pakistan, who had struggled early in the innings, losing opener Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam for 10 each, and Saim Ayub for six. Saad Baig and Salman Agha briefly revived the innings with scores of 32 and 26, respectively, before Shadab Khan entered the fray in the 24th over.
Shadab’s performance was particularly remarkable, as his 89-run partnership with Haris Rauf for the last wicket was described by Pakistan’s skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi as ‘amazing’. ‘I’ve never seen that in my life. Really happy as captain, the team effort was top drawer,’ Afridi said, struggling to find words to describe the victory.
England’s Ben Duckett anchored the innings with a century, scoring 105 runs, while Sam Curran contributed 42 during a 93-run fifth-wicket stand. Despite their efforts, England’s bowlers struggled, with Tom Banton falling for four in the opening over. England’s bowlers, including Atkinson, who contributed an unbeaten 36, were unable to close out the game.
Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Shaheen, who claimed 4-46, and Razaullah, who took 2-38 on his ODI debut, were instrumental in England’s dismissal. Duckett’s knock of 10 fours and two sixes was a highlight for England, but his fall to spinner Arafat Minhas, who finished with 2-26, sealed the fate of the match.
The victory means England’s chances of reaching the tri-series final are now in doubt. They need Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday and then win themselves against the island nation on Thursday. England’s defeat comes after their earlier loss against Sri Lanka, where they failed to defend a 430-run target.
‘I don’t think we went wrong with the ball, to be honest,’ said England’s Harry Brook, refusing to blame his bowlers. ‘I thought we did an exceptional job but maybe didn’t quite get enough runs on the board.’
With this victory, Pakistan advances to the tri-series final, set for next Saturday. The team’s performance and the emotional response from their skipper highlight the significance of this win in the ongoing series.
I can’t say much, Shadab and Haris, the way they finished the game, 89-runs partnership is amazing.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan captain
