Shadab heroics help Pakistan down England in one-wicket thriller

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan struck an unbeaten 113 and shared a record 89-run last-wicket stand with Haris Rauf as the hosts rallied from 154-9 ​to secure a one-wicket win over England in Lahore on Sunday ‌and book their place in the tri-series final. Chasing 242 for victory, Pakistan appeared to be heading towards defeat after England’s bowlers reduced them to 154-9 in the 34th over. However, ​Shadab launched a superb counter-attack and, with Rauf making an unbeaten ​seven off 19 balls, guided the hosts to victory with 17 ⁠balls to spare. Their 89-run partnership was the highest for the final ​wicket in a successful ODI run chase. Earlier, England were bowled out for 241 ​in 46.4 overs despite Ben Duckett’s composed 105. Shaheen Shah Afridi led Pakistan’s bowling effort with 4-46 to dismantle England’s top order. The defeat was England’s third successive loss in the ​tri-series after Sri Lanka completed the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history, ​reaching a target of 430 with one ball to spare. Afridi struck in the opening over ‌to ⁠dismiss Tom Banton before removing Joe Root in the third over, while Jordan Cox fell to Haris Rauf as England slumped to 52-4.

Ben Duckett and Sam Curran steadied the innings with a fifth-wicket partnership of 93. Curran made 42 ​before becoming Afridi’s ​third victim. Jamie ⁠Overton helped take England past 200, while Gus Atkinson finished unbeaten on 36. Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam for ​10 apiece before Saad Baig struck a brisk 32 ​off 22 ⁠balls and Salman Ali Agha made 26 to briefly revive the chase. Shadab Khan came to the crease in the 24th over with the hosts struggling at ⁠103-6. Shadab, ​who struck 13 fours and five sixes, was ​given out lbw to Atkinson with 21 runs needed, but successfully reviewed the decision after replays showed ​an inside edge.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 243 for 9 (Shadab 113 not out, Overton 3-43) beat England 241 (Duckett 105, Curran 42, Afridi 4-46) by one wicket.