Lahore, October 25,2026: Shadab Khan produced a remarkable unbeaten century to guide Pakistan to a dramatic one-wicket victory over England in the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday, securing the hosts’ place in the October 31 final.
Chasing 242 for victory, Pakistan were reduced to 154-9 after 33.5 overs and appeared headed for defeat. However, Shadab’s extraordinary 113 not out off 96 balls, combined with Haris Rauf’s stubborn support, turned the contest around as Pakistan reached 243-9 in 47.1 overs.
Shadab struck 13 fours and five sixes, while his unbroken 89-run partnership with Haris set a record for the highest 10th-wicket stand in a successful ODI chase, surpassing the previous mark of 64 runs.
The decisive moment came when Pakistan needed 27 runs with their last wicket intact. Shadab swept Gus Atkinson for six over fine leg, only to be given out leg-before-wicket off the next delivery.
He reviewed the decision, and UltraEdge detected an edge as the ball passed the bat, overturning the on-field decision.
Shadab immediately capitalised on his reprieve, driving Atkinson for four to complete his maiden ODI century off 91 balls. He followed it with another boundary and a six over long-off, leaving Pakistan within touching distance of victory.
Haris, who had contributed just three runs from 18 balls, sealed the win in the following over by driving debutant Henry Crocombe straight down the ground for four.
Shadab became only the third batter to score an ODI century at No. 8 or lower, producing a match-winning innings after Pakistan’s top and middle order had collapsed.
Pakistan’s chase had faltered early, with Fakhar Zaman (10), Saim Ayub (six) and Babar Azam (10) falling inside the first seven overs. Saad Baig counter-attacked with 32 off 22 balls, including seven fours, but Pakistan continued to lose wickets.
Hasan Nawaz scored 15, while Arafat Minhas was dismissed for one. Salman Ali Agha made 26 off 49 balls before Liam Dawson removed him at 121-6.
Shaheen Shah Afridi and Razaullah also fell, leaving Pakistan nine wickets down and needing 88 runs. Shadab, however, gradually shifted gears, reaching his half-century off 49 balls before launching a sustained assault on England’s bowlers.
His boundaries through cover and midwicket, along with powerful hits against Dawson and Atkinson, kept Pakistan in the contest as Haris held his end.
Earlier, Ben Duckett scored a century as England were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs after Pakistan’s pace attack struck repeatedly in the opening overs.
Shaheen led the bowling effort with 4-46, reducing England to 19-3 inside five overs. Tom Banton fell for four, Joe Root made five and captain Harry Brook was run out for one.
Haris Rauf then dismissed Jordan Cox for six, leaving England struggling at 52-4 in the 10th over.
Duckett steadied the innings, reaching his half-century off 56 balls and helping England cross 100 in the 20th over. Sam Curran provided valuable support with 42 off 52 balls, and the pair added 93 runs for the fifth wicket before Shaheen broke the stand by dismissing Curran.
Duckett continued to anchor the innings, reaching his fifth ODI century off 104 balls and his first against Pakistan. He scored 105 off 111 deliveries, including 10 fours and two sixes, before Arafat Minhas had him caught at short fine leg for 187-7.
England’s lower order struggled to build on the platform. Razaullah claimed Will Jacks for 13, while Arafat dismissed Jamie Overton for 10. Liam Dawson fell for five, leaving Gus Atkinson to provide late resistance.
Atkinson remained unbeaten on 36 off 28 balls, including three sixes, but Shaheen dismissed debutant Henry Crocombe for eight to wrap up the innings.
England’s total appeared competitive when Pakistan slumped to 154-9, but Shadab’s outstanding innings and the last-wicket partnership with Haris transformed the match and booked Pakistan’s place in the final.
