Shadab Khan produced a career-best performance, hitting his maiden ODI century and sharing an unbeaten 89-run last-wicket partnership with Haris Rauf to seal Pakistan’s thrilling one-wicket victory over England at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing 242, Pakistan crossed the finish line in 47.1 overs, with Shadab finishing unbeaten on 113 to book the hosts’ place in the ODI tri-series final.
Pakistan’s innings got off to a disastrous start when Gus Atkinson dismissed Fakhar Zaman for 10 off 18 balls in the fifth over. Debutant Henry Crocombe removed Saim Ayub for six in the following over, before Atkinson bowled out Babar Azam for 10 to leave the hosts struggling at 31-3 after 6.5 overs.
Saad Baig and Salman Ali Agha attempted to stabilise the innings, adding 43 runs for the fourth wicket. Saad scored a brisk 32 off 22 deliveries, including seven boundaries, before Jamie Overton broke the partnership.
Hasan Nawaz joined Agha at the crease, but Liam Dawson dismissed Nawaz for 15 off 33 balls. Overton then removed Arafat Minhas for one, leaving Pakistan reeling at 103-6 after 23.1 overs.
Dawson struck again to dismiss Agha for 26 off 49 deliveries, including two fours, while Overton removed captain Shaheen Afridi for four, further denting Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the target.
With Pakistan in deep trouble, Shadab found support from debutant Razaullah, who struck a six to help the hosts move past 150. However, Will Jacks dismissed Razaullah for eight off 15 balls, leaving Pakistan nine wickets down for 154 and Shadab’s side on the brink of defeat.
Shadab responded with a determined knock, registering his sixth ODI half-century before reaching his maiden century in the format.
Dramatic review
With Pakistan needing 21 more runs to win, Shadab survived an LBW scare against Gus Atkinson after reviewing the decision, despite initially believing he was out.
He even shook hands with England players as they began heading towards the dressing room, but UltraEdge revealed a spike, prompting the umpire to overturn the decision and keep Pakistan’s hopes alive.
Shadab remained unbeaten on 113 off 96 deliveries, striking 13 fours and five sixes, to keep Pakistan in contention.
Rauf supported Shadab in the crucial last-wicket stand and scored the winning runs, completing a memorable one-wicket victory for Pakistan. Rauf made seven off 19.
Earlier, skipper Afridi claimed four wickets as England were dismissed for 241 in 46.4 overs.
Put in to bat, England suffered an early collapse as Shaheen removed Tom Banton for four and Joe Root for five. Captain Harry Brook was then run out for one by debutant Razaullah, leaving England at 11-3.
Jordan Cox and Ben Duckett attempted to rebuild the innings, but Rauf dismissed Cox for six to reduce England to 52-4.
Duckett and Sam Curran revived the innings with a 93-run fifth-wicket partnership. Duckett scored 105 off 111 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes, reaching his fifth ODI century, while Curran contributed 42 off 52 deliveries before falling to Shaheen.
Razaullah dismissed Will Jacks for 13 and later removed Liam Dawson for five, claiming his maiden ODI wicket and finishing with two wickets. Arafat Minhas also took two wickets, including Duckett’s crucial dismissal.
Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton added valuable late runs to push England past 200. Minhas dismissed Overton for 10 before Shaheen removed Henry Crocombe for eight, wrapping up the innings. Atkinson remained unbeaten on 36 off 28 balls, including three sixes.
Shaheen finished with 4-46 in 8.4 overs, while Razaullah and Minhas took two wickets each. Rauf claimed one wicket.
Source: The News
-Agencies
