Pakistan clinched a dramatic one‑wicket victory over England in an ODI at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, completing a chase of 242 runs that had seemed out of reach when the hosts were 154 for nine. All‑rounder Shadab Khan, batting at number eight, produced an unbeaten 113 from 96 balls, forging a 20‑run partnership with fast bowler Haris Rauf that set a new benchmark for the highest last‑wicket stand in a successful run chase in One‑Day International history.
Match overview
England posted a total of 241 for nine wickets in 46.4 overs. The innings was anchored by Ben Duckett, who scored 105 off 111 balls – his fifth ODI century – before being dismissed by Arafat Minhas. Following Duckett’s wicket, England’s batting collapsed as Shaheen Afridi claimed four wickets for 46 runs, including the dismissal of Henry Crocombe. The English lower order added 39 runs, but the innings concluded at 241 all out.
In reply, Pakistan’s top order struggled. After a promising start at 74 for three, the side slumped to 154 for nine, leaving the required target well beyond reach. The crowd began to filter out of the stadium after the ninth wicket fell, and England appeared poised to secure their first win of the tri‑nation series.
Shadab Khan’s record‑breaking innings
When Shadab Khan arrived at the crease, Pakistan needed 88 runs with only one wicket remaining. He quickly shifted the momentum, launching a counter‑attack that saw him reach a century in just 96 deliveries. His innings included a mixture of boundaries and aggressive shot‑making, and he remained unbeaten on 113 when the winning run was taken.
Partnering him was Haris Rauf, who contributed an unbeaten 7 runs from 19 balls. Together they compiled a 20‑run partnership that not only secured the win but also eclipsed all previous last‑wicket stands in successful ODI chases. The partnership was described by English commentator Nasser Hussain as a display of “real‑time intelligence” and a “brilliant change of intent” from Shadab, who altered his approach after a leg‑before‑wicket dismissal was overturned on review.
Shadab’s performance drew praise from several former players. Former Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Hafeez called it “an innings to remember,” while teammate Imad Wasim highlighted the pressure Shadab handled. Sri Lanka’s veteran Angelo Mathews called the knock “sensational,” and former West Indies great Daren Sammy referred to the match as “another thriller.” Barbadian wicket‑keeper Shai Hope described the contest as “absolute cinema.”
Reactions and significance
After the match, Shadab posted a message on social media dedicating the win to his mother and wife, and acknowledging Haris Rauf’s contribution. He wrote: “Special mention for Haris Rauf, we win only as a team and he showed that today in the partnership. Thank you to my entire team.”
Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi expressed satisfaction with the overall team effort, particularly the finish by Shadab and Rauf. “We thought we had a lot of variation in the team, so that’s why we brought Shadab in,” Afridi said. He added that the side needed more top‑order runs and hoped to carry the momentum into the next games.
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf echoed the sentiment, describing the display as “superb, fearless, aggressive and full of belief.” Retired English all‑rounder Chris Woakes noted the rarity of a “hundred not out at number eight,” underscoring the uniqueness of the achievement.
The win arrived at a time when Pakistani cricket fans have endured a series of disappointing performances in global tournaments and bilateral series. The dramatic finish helped restore confidence among the supporters, who had begun to leave the stadium after the ninth wicket fell.
England’s bowlers, Jamie Overton (3 for 43) and Liam Dawson (2 for 19), had earlier removed Pakistan’s top‑order batsmen Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam and Saad Baig cheaply, contributing to the precarious position before Shadab’s arrival. Despite the early setbacks, Pakistan’s lower order turned the tide, delivering a victory that will be remembered as one of the most thrilling comebacks in recent ODI history.
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