A dramatic final-wicket partnership between Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf secured a one-wicket victory for Pakistan over England in the ongoing tri-nation series in Lahore on Sunday. Chasing 242 runs for victory, Pakistan appeared out of contention at 154 for nine when Shadab and Rauf combined to add an unbeaten 89 runs, guiding their team to a win in the 48th over.
Shadab Khan played a match-defining innings, scoring an unbeaten 113 runs off 96 balls, marking his first century in One Day Internationals and becoming only the third player in ODI history to score a hundred batting at number eight or lower. Haris Rauf supported with a quickfire 7 runs from 19 balls. The partnership is the highest tenth-wicket stand in a successful ODI chase.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi praised the tail-enders' performance, calling their effort “top drawer” and expressing satisfaction with the team's collective performance from the morning until the victory. Afridi also highlighted bowling contributions, with pacer Razaullah making his ODI debut and playing a key role with figures of 2 for 38.
Earlier, Shaheen Shah Afridi led Pakistan’s bowling attack, taking four wickets for 46 runs to restrict England to 241 runs all out in 46.4 overs. England’s innings was anchored by Ben Duckett, who scored a resilient 105 runs off 111 balls, supported by Sam Curran’s 42 in a 93-run fifth-wicket partnership. Despite initial setbacks losing early wickets, Duckett’s century and Gus Atkinson’s unbeaten 36 helped England post a competitive total.
England captain Harry Brook acknowledged the team’s strong bowling but admitted the batting disappointed. He noted that while the team executed well with the ball, they fell short of putting up a defendable score. Brook emphasized the need to focus on winning their remaining matches to stay alive in the tri-series, which also involves Sri Lanka.
The match saw moments of high tension, including a controversial leg before wicket decision against Shadab on 97 runs, which was overturned after an UltraEdge review, allowing him to continue his innings. England’s bowling was criticized for lacking pace and variety, especially in the absence of rested players Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid. The absence of bowling coach Tim Southee and batting consultant Kevin Pietersen was also noted as potentially affecting England’s preparation.
Despite the loss, England showed some promise with emerging players such as Duckett and Tom Banton, who is integrating well into the side. However, the defeat has put England’s chances of advancing in the tri-series in jeopardy, with Pakistan’s win effectively knocking England out unless they can secure a significant net run-rate improvement.
The tri-nation format continues to offer competitive cricket and high-stakes drama amid the challenges facing the One Day International format globally. Both sides will look to regroup as the series progresses.