Pakistan secured a narrow victory over England in a closely contested One Day International (ODI) match, extending England’s losing streak to three consecutive games. The match took place on October 26, 2026, with Pakistan winning after bowling England out and successfully chasing the target.

England batted first but struggled despite a notable performance from Will Duckett, who scored his fifth ODI century while dealing with a leg injury. His innings was characterized by resilience, but a lack of substantial support from teammates limited England’s total. Captain Tom Brook, returning after opting to field first as well as bat in a prior match, faced early difficulties, scoring slowly and eventually being run out in a pivotal moment after a sharp one-handed fielding effort by Pakistan’s Razaullah.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was the standout bowler for Pakistan, delivering a disciplined and effective spell with his left-arm pace, claiming four wickets for 46 runs. His early dismissals included Tom Banton and England captain Joe Root, who fell to an uncharacteristic back-footed shot. Other bowlers such as Adil Atkinson and debutant Crocombe contributed with incisive spells, the latter showing promise after replacing Josh Tongue in the lineup.

England’s middle order saw a partnership between Curran, who contributed 42 runs, and Duckett add 93 runs. Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas, despite having previously troubled England significantly, was held back until the 29th over. This decision drew some surprise given Duckett’s record against left-arm spin. When Minhas was introduced, he broke the partnership by dismissing Duckett with a top-edged sweep to short fine leg.

Pakistan’s own innings got off to a bumpy start, with their opening batsmen Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub both falling cheaply, struggling with form. Fakhar was edged to slip off Atkinson’s bowling, while Ayub was caught similarly off Crocombe. Following them, key batsman Babar Azam was bowled by Atkinson after being beaten by a delivery “through the gate.” Contributions from Saad Baig and others faced pressure, with several wickets falling as England fought to regain control.

Despite this, Pakistan's middle and lower order, supported by effective bowling changes as England searched for breakthroughs, managed to steady the innings. The match remained in the balance until the final moments, showcasing competitive cricket from both sides. Pakistan’s ability to capitalize on key moments ultimately secured them a hard-fought victory in this ODI thriller.