LAHORE: Shadab Khan scored his maiden one-day international century as Pakistan edged England by one wicket in a thrilling fourth match of the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday to secure a place in the final.
Chasing a target of 242, Pakistan crossed the finishing line in the 48th over after losing nine wickets, with Shadab leading a remarkable fightback alongside valuable contributions from Saad Baig and Salman Ali Agha.
Pakistan got off to a poor start as Gus Atkinson dismissed Fakhar Zaman in the fifth over for 10 off 18 deliveries, including one boundary.
In the following over, debutant Henry Crocombe removed Saim Ayub, who scored six off 12 deliveries, including a six. Atkinson then struck again, clean-bowling Babar Azam for 10 off 12 balls, including two boundaries, to leave Pakistan struggling at 31-3 after 6.5 overs.
Saad Baig and Salman Ali Agha joined forces to stabilise the innings, building a valuable partnership that eased the pressure and took Pakistan past the 50-run mark.
However, Jamie Overton broke the stand by dismissing Saad, who scored a brisk 32 off 22 deliveries, including seven boundaries. Their 43-run partnership provided Pakistan with some much-needed momentum.
Hasan Nawaz then joined Agha at the crease, and the pair attempted to rebuild the innings as Pakistan crossed the 100-run mark.
Liam Dawson provided England with another breakthrough by dismissing Nawaz for 15 off 33 deliveries. Overton then returned to claim his second wicket, removing Arafat Minhas for one and leaving Pakistan reeling at 103-6 after 23.1 overs.
Dawson struck again to further dent Pakistan’s hopes, dismissing Agha for 26 off 49 deliveries, including two fours, as the hosts slipped further behind in their pursuit of the target.
The hosts lost another wicket when Overton struck again, dismissing captain Shaheen Afridi for four off five deliveries, including one boundary.
With Pakistan struggling after the early collapse, Shadab found support from debutant Razaullah, who struck a six to help the hosts cross the 150-run mark.
Shadab Khan 113(96)* vs England | Match 04, ODI Tri-Series 2026 – Lahore | Ball By Ball Highlights https://t.co/6NfhlWQbvs
— Danish (@PctDanish) October 25, 2026
However, Will Jacks dismissed Razaullah for eight off 15 deliveries, including one six, leaving Pakistan nine wickets down and their hopes resting on Shadab.
Shadab led Pakistan’s fightback, keeping the hosts in contention.
The all-rounder continued his determined assault and brought up his maiden ODI century at a crucial juncture, keeping his composure under pressure to steer Pakistan towards victory.
Shadab remained unbeaten on 113 off 96 deliveries, striking 13 fours and five sixes, while Haris Rauf scored the winning runs to seal a memorable one-wicket victory and book Pakistan’s place in the ODI tri-series final.
After being put in to bat, England suffered an early collapse before Ben Duckett and Sam Curran revived the innings with a crucial fifth-wicket partnership.
Shaheen made an immediate impact, dismissing Tom Banton for four off five deliveries, including one boundary, in the opening over.
The left-arm pacer struck again in his opening spell, removing Joe Root for five off seven balls to leave England reeling at 11-2 after 2.5 overs.
England’s woes deepened when captain Harry Brook was run out for one off seven deliveries following a sharp direct hit by debutant Razaullah, reducing the visitors to 11-3.
Jordan Cox and Duckett attempted to stabilise the innings, adding 33 runs for the fourth wicket. However, right-arm pacer Haris Rauf broke the partnership by dismissing Cox for six off 12 deliveries, including one boundary, leaving England struggling at 52-4 after 9.1 overs.
Sam Curran joined Duckett at the crease, and the pair mounted a recovery with a valuable 93-run partnership for the fifth wicket to take England past the 100-run mark.
Duckett anchored the innings, bringing up his 11th ODI half-century, while Curran provided solid support at the other end.
Shaheen eventually broke the partnership by claiming his third wicket of the innings, dismissing Curran for a fighting 42 off 52 deliveries, including five boundaries, to leave England at 145-5.
Will Jacks then joined Duckett and scored 13 off 16 balls before falling to debutant Razaullah, who claimed his maiden ODI wicket. England slipped to 175-6 after 33.2 overs.
Duckett continued to lead the recovery, reaching his fifth ODI century with an impressive knock that kept England in contention for a competitive total.
However, left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas ended the centurion’s resistance, dismissing Duckett for 105 off 111 deliveries. His innings featured 10 fours and two sixes.
Razaullah struck again to claim his second wicket, removing Liam Dawson for five off 13 balls and leaving England at 187-8 after 37.3 overs.
Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton then provided a late boost, adding valuable runs to take England past the 200-run mark in the 41st over.
Arafat struck again to dismiss Overton for 10 off 16 deliveries, claiming his second wicket of the innings. Shaheen then wrapped up England’s innings by removing Henry Crocombe for eight, leaving Atkinson unbeaten on 36 off 28 balls, including three sixes.
Shaheen Afridi spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling attack with figures of 4/46 in 8.4 overs. Razaullah and Arafat Minhas claimed two wickets apiece, while Haris Rauf chipped in with one wicket.
Shadab Wins Player of the Match Award
Shadab Khan was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 113.
Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Shadab said: “You only enjoy an innings when the team wins. So, I’m very happy that I played that innings and we won the match. I think Haris deserves more credit than me because, obviously, tailenders in that position are always keen to hit sixes. The way I guided him, or he guided me, we managed to put together a good partnership.”
PM Sharif Congratulates Cricket Team
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the national cricket team on “a superb win” against England. “Every run, every wicket and every catch showed the grit, discipline and fighting spirit that define Pakistan,” PM Sharif said.
Shehbaz Sharif commended Shadab and Haris’s last-wicket partnership. “The last wicket partnership between Shadab and Haris turned the game around. Shadab’s century was spectacular. Well done boys!”
Well played, Team Pakistan! Shabash 👏🏻
Heartiest congratulations to our boys on a superb win against England in Lahore. Every run, every wicket and every catch showed the grit, discipline and fighting spirit that define Pakistan.The last wicket partnership between Shadab and Haris turned the game around. Shadab’s century was spectacular. Well done boys!
The roar of the Lahore crowd tonight was the voice of the whole nation. You have filled millions of hearts with pride and joy.
I also commend Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi and his entire team for their tireless efforts to strengthen Pakistan cricket and to make our home ground a proud host of world-class international cricket.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 25, 2026
‘Incredible Run Chase’: Former England Captain Nasser Hussain
Former England captain Nasser Hussain praised Pakistan’s remarkable run chase, highlighting Shadab Khan’s change of approach and his partnership with Haris Rauf.
He said England had crumbled under pressure in both matches, while Shadab’s decision to change his intent, backed by Rauf, turned the game around.
“Again, as with Sri Lanka, you’ve got to give Pakistan credit. Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf’s partnership required them to be switched on and smart in how they played. Brilliant change of intent from Shadab Khan. That game had gone away from Pakistan, but Shadab, backed by Haris Rauf, brought it back. Incredible run chase,” Hussain said.
