Shadab’s Superhuman Century Scripts Pakistan’s Incredible One-Wicket Victory Against England

LAHORE: Shadab Khan produced a sensational innings under pressure, smashing his maiden ODI century to propel Pakistan to a dramatic one-wicket victory over England in the fourth match of the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday. The victory also confirmed Pakistan’s place in the tournament final.

Needing 242 runs to win, Pakistan reached the target in the 48th over despite losing nine wickets. Shadab remained unbeaten on a magnificent 113, while Haris Rauf held his nerve to score the winning runs and complete a memorable comeback.

Pakistan’s chase began disastrously as England’s bowlers ripped through the top order. Gus Atkinson sent Fakhar Zaman back for 10 before debutant Henry Crocombe dismissed Saim Ayub for six. Atkinson then bowled Babar Azam for 10, leaving the hosts in deep trouble at 31-3 inside seven overs.

Saad Baig and Salman Ali Agha attempted to rescue the innings, putting together a useful 43-run partnership. Saad played aggressively, scoring 32 from just 22 balls with seven boundaries, but Jamie Overton ended the stand.

Hasan Nawaz joined Agha in an effort to rebuild, but Liam Dawson removed Nawaz for 15. Overton then dismissed Arafat Minhas for one, leaving Pakistan at 103-6. Dawson added to the pressure by sending Agha back for 26, while Overton claimed another wicket when captain Shaheen Shah Afridi departed for four.

With Pakistan reduced to eight wickets down, Shadab found an important ally in debutant Razaullah. Their partnership helped the home side move beyond 150, although Will Jacks dismissed Razaullah for eight, leaving Pakistan with just one wicket remaining.

Shadab, however, refused to surrender. Mixing calculated stroke play with timely aggression, he kept Pakistan’s hopes alive, brought up his half-century and guided the innings beyond the 200-run mark.

The all-rounder then shifted gears to register his maiden ODI hundred, delivering one of the finest innings of his career when Pakistan needed it most. His unbeaten 113 came off 96 balls and included 13 fours and five sixes.

At the other end, Haris Rauf provided the final support Shadab needed, scoring the decisive runs to seal Pakistan’s thrilling one-wicket triumph.

Duckett Century Fails to Save England

Earlier, England were bowled out for 241 after Pakistan’s bowlers made an impressive start before Ben Duckett and Sam Curran led a determined recovery.

Shaheen Afridi struck twice early in the innings, dismissing Tom Banton for four and Joe Root for five. England captain Harry Brook followed shortly afterwards, run out for one by debutant Razaullah’s direct hit, leaving the visitors struggling at 11-3.

Jordan Cox and Duckett attempted to steady the innings with a 33-run partnership. Haris Rauf broke the stand by removing Cox for six, reducing England to 52-4 in the 10th over.

Duckett subsequently combined with Sam Curran to revive England’s innings. The pair added 93 runs for the fifth wicket, taking their team past the 100-run mark and restoring some stability.

Duckett played the anchor’s role, while Curran contributed a valuable 42 from 52 deliveries, striking five boundaries. Shaheen eventually broke their partnership by dismissing Curran, leaving England at 145-5.

Will Jacks managed 13 before falling to Razaullah, who claimed his maiden ODI wicket. Duckett continued to score freely at the other end, bringing up his fifth ODI century and giving England hope of posting a competitive total.

His innings ended when left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas trapped him after an outstanding 105 off 111 balls, featuring 10 fours and two sixes.

Razaullah struck again to dismiss Liam Dawson for five, leaving England at 187-8. Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton then added valuable late runs, helping England cross the 200-run mark.

Arafat claimed his second wicket by removing Overton for 10, before Shaheen completed the innings by dismissing Crocombe for eight. Atkinson remained unbeaten on 36 from 28 balls, including three sixes, as England were dismissed for 241.

Shaheen Leads Pakistan’s Bowling Effort

Shaheen was Pakistan’s standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 4-46 from 8.4 overs. Razaullah and Arafat Minhas picked up two wickets each, while Haris Rauf claimed one.

Pakistan’s bowling performance laid the foundation for the victory, but it was Shadab’s extraordinary century and Rauf’s contribution at the finish that ultimately carried the hosts across the line.

The result secured Pakistan’s place in the ODI tri-series final and gave the home crowd a match-winning performance to remember.