The key facts

  • Shadab Khan scored 113 not out — his maiden century and the highest score at number eight in ODI history
  • Pakistan won by one wicket, reaching the tri-series final on 31 October
  • England suffered a third defeat in five days and keep their final hopes only under certain results

Pakistan snatched victory from a hopeless situation

In a One Day International (ODI) in Lahore on Sunday, Pakistan beat England by one wicket and secured their place in the tri-series final, which also involves Sri Lanka. England, defending a modest target of 242 runs, were one step away from victory when the hosts lost nine wickets at 154, but Shadab Khan, who scored 113 not out, turned the game around. The winning shot was struck by number 11 Haris Rauf with 17 balls to spare, sparking wild celebrations in the Pakistan pavilion. Haris, who finished on 7 not out, was part of the decisive 89-run partnership with Shadab for the final wicket.

Key moments of the match

Shadab, who hit five sixes and 13 boundaries, came close to being dismissed leg-before off Gus Atkinson when the team needed 20 more runs, but a successful review overturned the decision. His score became the highest in ODI history for the number eight position. Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said after the match: “I cannot say much — Shadab and Haris, the way they finished the game, the 89-run partnership, it is amazing. I have never seen anything like it in my life.” England captain Harry Brook did not blame his bowlers: “I don’t think we got our bowling wrong, to be honest. I think we did an exceptional job, but perhaps we didn’t score enough runs.” Earlier, England, who made 241, were carried by opener Ben Duckett’s century (105) and Sam Curran’s 42; for Pakistan, Shaheen took 4-46 and debutant Naseem — actually Razaullah — took 2-38.

What next for England

The defeat was Brook’s side’s third in five days in the series — earlier the English failed to defend a target of 430 runs against Sri Lanka on Thursday. England’s chances of reaching the final on 31 October now hang by a thread: the team need Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday, and then defeat the islanders themselves on Thursday. For Pakistan, this match confirmed the depth of their squad: even at 103-6 in the 24th over, when Shadab had just come to the crease, the team managed to grind down their opponents.