Shadab's Maiden Century Seals Miraculous One-Wicket Win for Pakistan Against England in ODI Tri-Series

LAHORE: In what will go down as one of the most miraculous escape acts in modern cricket history, PAK won by one wicket against England in a breathtaking thriller at the Gaddafi Stadium. With this win, Pakistan seals its spot in the final of the 2026 Pakistan ODI Tri-Series.

Chasing a target of 242, the hosts seemed dead and buried when a catastrophic middle-order collapse left them reeling at 154 for 9. With 88 runs still needed and only the final pair at the crease, English victory felt like a mere formality. What followed, however, was pure, unadulterated cricketing theatre.

An extraordinary, unbroken 89-run partnership for the tenth wicket between Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf stunned the visitors, steering Pakistan to 243 for 9 with 17 balls to spare. The epic chase was anchored by Shadab's century, a maiden ODI hundred that will be remembered for generations. 

Coming in under immense pressure, the star all-rounder played a counter-attacking masterpiece, finishing unbeaten on 113 off 96 deliveries, an innings punctuated by calculated risks, masterclass strike rotation, and towering sixes that ignited the Lahore crowd.

Earlier in the day, England’s innings was a story of a solitary fightback. Asked to bat first, the visitors found themselves in early trouble against a lethal Pakistani pace attack. Opener Ben Duckett stood as the lone warrior for the English side, compiling a brilliant, gritty 105 off 111 balls. 

Duckett’s elegance kept the scoreboard ticking, but he found virtually no support from the other end. Pakistan's speedster, Shaheen Shah Afridi, bowled with fierce intensity to rip through the English lineup, returning magnificent figures of 4 for 46 in 8.4 overs. His opening and death-over spells ensured England was bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs.

When Pakistan began their pursuit, England’s bowlers retaliated with venom. Pakistan struggled in the powerplay with 52/3. A disciplined spell from Jamie Overton, who dismantled the middle order to finish with 3 for 43, had Pakistan's top order collapsing like a house of cards. At 154 for 9, England looked poised to wrap up a comprehensive victory.

But Shadab Khan had other plans. Shielding Haris Rauf expertly from the frontline English pacers, Shadab launched a calculated assault. Rauf played his part to perfection, showing immense composure to block out deliveries and survive 19 crucial balls. 

As the target crept closer, the pressure shifted back to England, who began losing their line and length under the onslaught. Shadab brought up his historic hundred with a roaring boundary, eventually hitting the winning runs to trigger ecstatic celebrations in the Pakistan dressing room.

Unsurprisingly named Player of the Match, Shadab's heroic rescue mission ensured Pakistan’s qualification for the tournament’s grand finale on October 31. 

For England, it remains a bitter pill to swallow, having let victory slip from the absolute cusp of certainty.