PAK vs ENG ODI Tri-Series: Shaheen's Four Restricts England Despite Duckett’s Century

LAHORE: A masterclass in death bowling by Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi countered a spectacular century from opener Ben Duckett, as England were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs during the first innings of the 4th ODI of the Tri-Series at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Choosing to field first after winning the toss, Pakistan made immediate inroads into the English batting lineup. The PAK vs ENG clash ignited in the very first over when Shaheen Shah Afridi struck with his fifth ball. Afridi dismissed opening batsman Tom Banton for just 4 runs, setting a fiery tone for the evening and picking up his 150th milestone wicket in ODI cricket. The early breakthrough put England on the defensive immediately.

The pressure multiplied when Afridi struck again in his next over, dismissing the legendary Joe Root for 5 runs with a sharp delivery that found Saim Ayub at backward point. Within the blink of an eye, England’s top-order collapsed to a precarious 52-4 as Jordan Cox (5) fell to slip and Harry Brook was run out for just a single run.

However, opener Ben Duckett refused to succumb to the host team’s aggressive bowling attack. Duckett anchored the innings brilliantly, counter-attacking with clean drives and powerful sweeps. He found a reliable partner in all-rounder Sam Curran. 

Together, the duo stitched a critical 93-run partnership for the fifth wicket, steadying the ship and rescuing the visitors from a complete collapse. Curran played an aggressive supporting role, smashing 42 runs off 52 balls before he eventually fell, leaving England at 145-5.

Despite losing partners at the other end, the English opener kept pushing forward. Duckett's century was the undisputed highlight of the English innings, as he notched up a magnificent 105 runs off 111 deliveries, decorated with 10 boundaries and 2 sixes. His resistance finally ended when he was caught by Salman Ali Agha off the bowling of young spinner Arafat Minhas.

Once Duckett departed, Pakistan’s bowling attack clinical wrapped up the tail. Arafat Minhas and fast bowler Razaullah bowled brilliantly in tandem through the middle overs, picking up two wickets apiece.

A late cameo by lower-order batsman Gus Atkinson, who clubbed a quickfire 36 runs off 28 balls including three massive sixes, pushed the visitors to a respectable score. But it was Shaheen's four-wicket haul that broke the final resistance. Afridi returned to clean up the tail, finishing with superb figures of 4 for 46 in 8.4 overs. 

The clinical bowling performance from the home side meant England fell well short of their targeted 50-over quota. Pakistan now require 242 runs to secure their second victory of the series.

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