Lahore, October 26,2026: International cricket stars have praised Pakistan following their dramatic one-wicket victory over England in the fourth match of the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium, with Shadab Khan’s maiden ODI century drawing widespread acclaim.
Former West Indies captain and current head coach Daren Sammy, former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, West Indies batter Shai Hope, cricket commentator Ian Bishop and former England captain Nasser Hussain were among those who lauded Pakistan’s remarkable comeback on Sunday.
Sammy took to social media to express his excitement over another closely contested match, writing: “Wow.. another thriller.”
Mathews singled out Shadab for his match-winning performance, saying the Pakistan all-rounder had turned the game around when the hosts appeared to be heading towards defeat.
“That was a sensational innings by @76Shadabkhan 👏👏 won it for Pakistan out of nowhere,” Mathews wrote.
Hope also praised the thrilling finish, describing it as an example of cricket at its most entertaining.
“Cricket 🤝 Absolute Cinema,” he wrote.
Bishop highlighted both Shadab’s outstanding century and Haris Rauf’s crucial contribution during the decisive last-wicket partnership.
“Outstanding win by Pakistan by 1 wicket tonight. YES of course, Shadab KHAN!!!!!! Brilliant innings. As important a 7(19) by Haris Rauf in an 89 run partnership for the last wicket,” Bishop wrote.
Hussain also praised the Pakistan pair, highlighting Shadab’s decision to change his approach when the run chase appeared to be slipping away.
“You’ve got to give Pakistan credit, and Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf. That partnership, you had to be really switched on and smart how you played it, and the moment they changed intent, the moment Shadab said, ‘Right, we’ve gone one way, it’s gone nowhere, we’re going to play our shots,’ there’s a lesson to be learned because they should have learned it from the last game,” Hussain said.
He also criticised England’s inability to withstand pressure during the closing stages.
“When England were put under pressure, they crumbled. When England were put under pressure here at the end, they crumbled. Brilliant change of intent from Shadab Khan. That game had gone from them to one individual, backed up by Haris Rauf, to bring it back. Incredible run change,” he added.
Pakistan’s victory was built around Shadab’s unbeaten 113 off 96 balls, featuring 13 boundaries and five sixes, after the hosts suffered a dramatic top-order collapse while chasing England’s target of 243.
Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals, with Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Babar Azam among the early dismissals. The hosts were reduced to 154-9, leaving England firmly in control of the contest.
However, Shadab responded with an attacking innings, combining calculated strokeplay with composure to keep Pakistan in the hunt.
He found an unlikely ally in Haris, who contributed an unbeaten seven off 19 deliveries as the pair added 89 runs for the final wicket, the highest 10th-wicket partnership in a successful men’s ODI chase.
Haris eventually struck the winning boundary to seal Pakistan’s one-wicket victory and confirm their place in the tri-series final.
The remarkable comeback provided Pakistan with a major confidence boost ahead of the title clash, while Shadab’s innings and the final-wicket stand emerged as the defining moments of the contest.
