Pakistan batting coach Mike Smith has backed Babar Azam despite his recent struggles, saying he is not worried about the batter&rsquo;s form ahead of Saturday&rsquo;s ODI tri-series final against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/pak-vs-sl-match-5-highlights-sri-lanka-reach-tri-series-final/8705-2-0">lost</a> their first match of the tournament on Tuesday, going down by eight wickets to Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium. Babar top-scored for Pakistan with 29 runs, but the team was bowled out for just 110 as Sri Lanka&rsquo;s bowlers took control of the innings.

Notably, Babar has scored 118 runs in four innings so far but is still waiting for his first half-century in the tournament. He has managed to get starts in his innings but has failed to turn them into bigger scores.

Despite this, Smith has shown full support for the ace Pakistan batter. The batting coach believes Babar is getting settled at the crease and is confident that he will soon produce a big innings.

&ldquo;It is definitely not a cause for concern. The hardest part of batting in cricket is getting established at the crease, and Babar is doing that effortlessly. Had he converted one of those solid starts into a substantial century, this would not even be a topic of discussion,&rdquo; said Pakistan batting coach Mike Smith.

&ldquo;That is the nature of elite international sport, you cannot deliver a peak performance every single time. Those who truly understand the game can see how well he is striking the ball. We have zero doubt that a big score is imminent, and when it comes, it will be magnificent to watch,&rdquo; added Mike Smith.

Pakistan&rsquo;s batting line-up struggled against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, with left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka taking five wickets. He put pressure on the batters early with the new ball and returned later to finish his spell, leaving Pakistan with a low total to defend.

Despite the heavy defeat, Smith does not believe it will affect the final on Saturday. He feels the result will come down to which team deals with the pressure better and sticks to its plans during the match.

&ldquo;That defeat will have no bearing whatsoever on the final. In a tri-series of this calibre against quality opposition, very few teams remain undefeated throughout. A setback at some point is expected. Losing the game leading into the final changes nothing,&rdquo; said Mike Smith.

&ldquo;Ultimately, a final comes down to whichever team handles the pressure best on the day and executes under strain to lift the trophy,&rdquo; added Mike Smith.

Mike Smith backs Babar Azam despite his poor run in the ODI tri-series, as Pakistan prepare to face Sri Lanka in Saturday’s final.

Mike Smith Throws Support Behind Babar Azam Amid Batting Slump

Sri Lanka take on England in the sixth match of the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time on October 29, 2026. With Sri Lanka already through to the final alongside Pakistan, England will look to finish their campaign with a strong performance.

England enter the contest as the favourites according to the available win probability, with a 70% chance compared to Sri Lanka&#39;s 30%. However, Sri Lanka will be confident after their convincing victory over Pakistan in their previous match.

<h2>Match Details</h2>

<ul>
	<li>Match: England vs Sri Lanka, ODI 6 of 7</li>
	<li>Tournament: Pakistan Tri-Nation Series 2026</li>
	<li>Date: October 29, 2026</li>
	<li>Time: 1:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time</li>
	<li>Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore</li>
	<li>Sri Lanka Captain: Kusal Mendis</li>
	<li>England Captain: Harry Brook</li>
</ul>

<h2>Sri Lanka Look to Continue Winning Form</h2>

Sri Lanka head into the match after a convincing win over Pakistan. Pavan Rathnayake has been their standout batter, scoring 130 against England and 79 against Pakistan. Dasun Shanaka has also impressed with 97 off 50 balls against England, while Janith Liyanage has added useful runs in the middle order.

Sri Lanka will look for a stronger start from Avishka Fernando and his fellow top-order batters. Captain Kusal Mendis, who has struggled for runs in the series, will also aim to find form before the final. Their bowlers gained confidence after restricting Pakistan, with Dilshan Madushanka among the key performers.

<h2>England Aim to Fix Their Inconsistencies</h2>

England have struggled to deliver consistent performances with both bat and ball. Harry Brook scored 202 against Sri Lanka, while Ben Duckett hit a century against Pakistan. However, England failed to turn these individual efforts into victories.

Jamie Overton impressed with three wickets against Pakistan, but England&#39;s batting collapse left them short of a competitive total.

Brook will want a stronger team performance in the final league match. Joe Root, Duckett and Sam Curran will be important with the bat, while Overton and Gus Atkinson will lead the bowling effort. Although England are out of the final, they will aim to finish the tournament with a win.

<h2>Key Players to Watch</h2>

Pavan Rathnayake: Sri Lanka&#39;s consistent run-scorer has already delivered two major contributions in the series. Another strong innings could put England under pressure.

Dasun Shanaka: His ability to accelerate the scoring rate makes him a major threat in the middle and final overs.

Harry Brook: England&#39;s captain has shown that he can produce a match-defining innings. His performance will be crucial if England want to finish the tournament on a high.

Jamie Overton: Overton has delivered an impressive spell against Pakistan. His pace and ability to take wickets could prove important on Lahore&#39;s surface.

<h2>Pitch Report and Match Prediction</h2>

Gaddafi Stadium has offered challenging batting conditions, with first-innings scores of 241 and 110 in its last two matches. Swing and bounce could help fast bowlers, making early wickets crucial.

Sri Lanka enter with momentum after beating Pakistan, while England will rely on their experienced batting lineup. England may have the edge on paper, but Sri Lanka&#39;s recent form makes them competitive. Sri Lanka will also use this match to prepare for the final, while England aim to finish their campaign with a win.

<h2>England vs Sri Lanka Last ODI Thriller&nbsp;</h2>

England posted a massive 429/4, led by Harry Brook&#39;s 202 off 116 balls. Joe Root scored 69, while Will Jacks smashed 66 off just 30 balls. Sri Lanka faced a daunting chase at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Then came Sri Lanka&rsquo;s remarkable chase. Pavan Rathnayake scored 130, while Avishka Fernando made 97 and Dasun Shanaka smashed 97 off 50 balls. Sri Lanka <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/watch/england-vs-sri-lanka-3rd-odi-highlights/13405870">chased down 430 in 49.5 overs</a>, winning by two wickets with one ball remaining in a remarkable thriller.

<h2>Where to Watch England vs Sri Lanka Live</h2>

Watch the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/sri-lanka-tour-of-england-2026/1037/1">England vs Sri Lanka ODI live</a> on tapmad on October 29 at 1:00 PM Pakistan time. Follow the action live.

Read the England vs Sri Lanka preview for ODI 6 of the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series, including team news, key players, match time and venue.

England vs Sri Lanka Preview ODI Tri-Series Match 6

Pakistan suffered a major batting collapse against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, getting bowled out for just 110 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore during the ongoing ODI tri-series. It was their second-lowest ODI total at the venue, only behind their 75 all out also against Sri Lanka in 2009.

The hosts struggled from the start after choosing to bat first. Fakhar Zaman managed only five runs, while Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Baig scored eight and five respectively before Pakistan lost three wickets inside the first seven overs.

Salman Ali Agha and Babar Azam tried to get the innings back on track, but Agha was dismissed for nine off 14 balls. Babar offered some resistance with 29 off 33 deliveries, hitting five fours, but Eshan Malinga removed him to leave Pakistan at 61/5 after 13.1 overs.

Shadab Khan, who was the hero for Pakistan in the last match against England, also could not perform and got dismissed after scoring just two runs. Arafat Minhas and Hasan Nawaz then tried to steady the innings, but neither could take Pakistan to a competitive total.

The lower order of Pakistan also failed miserably, as Sri Lanka kept picking regular wickets to maintain an edge in the contest. As a result, the green shirts were dismantled for just 110 in the first innings, recording their second-lowest total ever scored in Lahore.

<h2>Lowest ODI Totals for Pakistan in Lahore</h2>

<ul>
	<li>75 (second innings) vs Sri Lanka &mdash; 2009</li>
	<li>110 (first innings) vs Sri Lanka &mdash; 2026</li>
	<li>137 (second innings) vs Sri Lanka &mdash; 2000</li>
	<li>158-6 (first innings) vs England &mdash; 1978</li>
	<li>163-6 (second innings) vs West Indies &mdash; 1980</li>
</ul>

Meanwhile, Pakistan have now been bowled out for fewer than 111 runs while batting first against Sri Lanka on three different occasions. Their lowest score in such matches was 102 in 2014, while the 110-run total in Lahore ranks as their second-lowest in one day internationals.

<h2>Lowest ODI Totals for Pakistan Against Sri Lanka</h2>

<ul>
	<li>75 (second innings) &mdash; 2009</li>
	<li>102 (first innings) &mdash; 2014</li>
	<li>110 (first innings) &mdash; 2026</li>
	<li>122 (first innings) &mdash; 2004</li>
	<li>131 (second innings) &mdash; 1996</li>
	<li>137 (second innings) &mdash; 2000</li>
</ul>

Pakistan were bowled out for 110 against Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series, recording their second-lowest ODI total at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Pakistan Suffer Batting Collapse to Record Second-Lowest ODI Total in Lahore

Shaheen Shah Afridi wants Pakistan to leave their heavy defeat to Sri Lanka behind and turn their attention to Saturday&rsquo;s ODI tri-series final, where the two sides will meet again.

Pakistan had entered Tuesday&rsquo;s game full of confidence after winning three matches in a row. Their place in the final was already confirmed following a thrilling one-wicket win over England on Sunday, but they failed to carry that form into their last league match.

The green shirts had a tough outing in Lahore, managing just 110 runs before being dismissed in 25.3 overs. It was the team&rsquo;s second-lowest ODI score at the ground. Their lowest total there was 75, which also came against Sri Lanka in 2009.

Babar Azam remained the highest run-scorer for the home side, scoring 29 from 33 balls. Apart from him, Hasan Nawaz made 17 off 31 deliveries, while captain Shaheen Afridi contributed with only 15 runs.

In the second innings, Sri Lanka had little trouble chasing down the target of 111, reaching it with just two wickets down and 191 balls remaining. The result handed Pakistan their first <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/pak-vs-sl-tri-series-match-5-sri-lanka-won-by-8-wickets/8702-5-0">defeat</a> of the ODI tri-series and confirmed Sri Lanka&rsquo;s place in the final. It also ended England&rsquo;s chances of reaching the title clash.

Kamindu Mendis led the chase with an unbeaten 62 off 60 balls. The left-handed opener hit eight fours and two sixes to guide Sri Lanka to a comfortable victory.

Speaking after the match, Shaheen admitted that the team&rsquo;s top order hadn&rsquo;t been performing well in recent matches. However, he also urged the team to forget the latest defeat as quickly as possible and prepare for the big final on Saturday.

&quot;Unfortunately, for the last three or four games we are collapsing in the top order. We&#39;ve had three wins and lost today,&quot; said Shaheen Afridi.

&quot;We should forget that and move forward. We have three days now, and we can practice,&quot; added Shaheen Afridi.

Shaheen then expressed confidence in his side, saying they will come back stronger in the series final by rectifying their recent mistakes with the bat.

&quot;We will come back in the final and bat stronger. We need to forget this game quickly and take the positives from the previous games.&quot; said Shaheen Afridi.

Shaheen Afridi urges Pakistan to move on from their heavy defeat to Sri Lanka and improve their batting ahead of Saturday’s ODI tri-series final.

Shaheen Afridi Calls on Pakistan to Bounce Back in Tri-Series Final

LAHORE: Sri Lanka stormed into the ODI Tri-Series final after defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in Match 5 at the Gaddafi Stadium, bowling out the hosts for 110 before completing the chase in 18.1 overs.

Dilshan Madushanka led Sri Lanka&rsquo;s bowling attack with figures of 5 for 34, while Kamindu Mendis scored an unbeaten 62 to guide his side to a convincing victory.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Sri Lanka made an immediate impact with the ball. Madushanka dismantled Pakistan&rsquo;s top order with early strikes, leaving the hosts struggling to build partnerships during the opening overs.

Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 29 off 33 balls, but the right-handed batter received little support from his teammates. Sahan Arachchige also contributed with two wickets for 24 runs as Pakistan were dismissed for 110 in 25.3 overs.

The PAK vs SL Match 5 highlights feature Madushanka&rsquo;s five-wicket performance and Mendis&rsquo; match-winning innings. Pakistan&rsquo;s batting collapse left Sri Lanka with a target of just 111 runs to secure their place in the final.

Pakistan managed to remove both Sri Lankan openers early in the chase, briefly raising hopes of a comeback. However, Kamindu Mendis took control of the innings with an unbeaten 62 from 60 deliveries, striking two sixes and finding regular boundaries to keep the required run rate comfortably within reach.

Pavan Rathnayake provided valuable support with an unbeaten 23 as the pair guided Sri Lanka to 111 for 2 in just 18.1 overs. Sri Lanka sealed the eight-wicket win with 191 balls remaining, underlining their dominance throughout the contest.

Fans in Pakistan and Bangladesh can watch cricket coverage and catch the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/pakistan-odi-tri-series-2026/1160/1">ODI Tri-Series highlights</a> on tapmad.

Dilshan Madushanka's 5-for and Kamindu Mendis' 62* powered Sri Lanka to an 8-wicket win over Pakistan. Catch PAK vs SL Match 5 highlights on tapmad.

PAK vs SL Match 5 Highlights: Sri Lanka Reach Tri-Series Final

LAHORE: Sri Lanka reaches the ODI Tri-series final in emphatic fashion, dismantling a lackluster Pakistan by eight wickets in Match 5 at the Gaddafi Stadium.&nbsp;

Driven by Dilshan Madushanka&rsquo;s five-wicket haul and Kamindu Mendis&rsquo; half-century, Sri Lanka has booked their ticket to the tournament&#39;s ultimate showpiece.

Winning the toss and electing to field first, Sri Lankan skipper Kusal Mendis (c) reaped immediate rewards from his decision. The Pakistani opening pair looked utterly helpless against a moving white ball. Left-arm speedster Dilshan Madushanka produced an opening spell of absolute venom, extracting sharp bounce and late swing that caught the Pakistani top order completely off guard.&nbsp;

He struck early and repeatedly, leaving the crowd in stunned silence as the hosts collapsed to a humiliating depth within the first powerplay.

Babar Azam attempted to single-handedly reconstruct the shattered innings, grinding out a top score of 29 runs from 33 deliveries. However, his resistance was short-lived. Deprived of any meaningful partnerships from the opposite end, Babar eventually mistimed a probing delivery, handing Madushanka another prized scalp.&nbsp;

The lower order offered little to no defiance against the turning ball either. Sahan Arachchige claimed 2 for 24, but the afternoon belonged strictly to Madushanka. The youngster finished with sensational, career-best figures of 5 for 34, single-handedly skittling <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/pak-vs-sl-match-5-pakistan-bowled-out-for-110-in-lahore/8699-5-0">Pakistan out for 110 runs</a> in just 25.3 overs.

Chasing a target of 111, Sri Lanka experienced a minor stutter when Pakistan&rsquo;s new-ball bowlers extracted early breakthroughs, dismissing both openers cheaply. Sensing a slight opening, the Lahore crowd found its voice, but Kamindu Mendis arrived at the crease to completely suck the oxygen out of the stadium.

Displaying an immaculate blend of technical defense and calculated aggression, Mendis asserted total dominance over both pace and spin. He regularly pierced the infield with crisp cover drives and used his feet elegantly against the spinners to launch two sixes into the stands. Mendis&rsquo; half-century arrived in just 53 balls, serving as the definitive anchor for the chase.

Ably supported by Pavan Rathnayake, who remained unbeaten on a composed 23, Mendis guided Sri Lanka past the finish line in just 18.1 overs with a staggering 191 balls left to spare. Finishing on an unbeaten 62 off 60 balls, Mendis ensured the victory walk was a clinical stroll.

With this eight-wicket triumph, Sri Lanka effectively secures their place in the grand finale alongside Pakistan in the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/pakistan-odi-tri-series-2026/1160/1">ODI tri-series 2026</a>. While this fixture was technically a dead rubber for the hosts, the sheer manner of the defeat will send massive alarm bells through the Pakistani dressing room.

Madushanka's five-wicket haul and Mendis' half-century ensured Sri Lanka reaches ODI Tri-series final with an eight-wicket victory over Pakistan.

PAK vs SL Tri-Series Match 5: Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets

LAHORE: A spectacular bowling masterclass from left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka plunged the hosts into absolute disarray as Pakistan was bowled out for 110 runs in just 25.3 overs.&nbsp;

The <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/pak-vs-sl-match-5-preview-tri-series-final-spot-on-line/8682-2-0">PAK vs SL match 5</a> of the ongoing ODI Tri-Series 2026 turned into a one-sided affair during the first session at the Gaddafi Stadium, courtesy of Madushanka&#39;s 5 wickets that ruthlessly tore through the home team&#39;s batting order.

Opting to field first after winning the toss, Sri Lankan skipper Kusal Mendis reaped immediate rewards. The pitch offered prominent lateral movement, and the Sri Lankan new-ball attack exploited the conditions perfectly. Pakistan&rsquo;s top-order displayed brittle technique against the moving ball. Openers Fakhar Zaman (5) and Maaz Sadaqat (8) fell cheaply, failing to withstand the disciplined early spells.&nbsp;

While former captain Babar Azam attempted a rescue act, fighting his way to a top-scoring 29 off 33 balls, he lacked meaningful support from the opposite end. Once Babar was trapped leg-before, the remaining middle-order crumbled like a house of cards under relentless pressure.

The undisputed star of the afternoon was Dilshan Madushanka. The dynamic left-arm speedster finished with exemplary figures of 5 for 34 in 8.3 overs, blending lethal swing with subtle variations. He regularly punctured Pakistan&#39;s partnerships, removing key lower-order batsmen just as they looked to stabilize the innings.&nbsp;

Madushanka completed his magnificent five-wicket haul by extracting an edge from Shaheen Shah Afridi, wrapping up the Pakistani tail to trigger wild celebrations among the Sri Lankan fielders. Alongside him, Asitha Fernando chipped in with crucial breakthroughs to keep the hosts firmly on the back foot.

Aside from Babar Azam, only Hasan Nawaz (17), Shaheen Afridi (15), and Arafat Minhas (10) managed to scrape into double digits. The final seven wickets tumbled for minimal runs, leaving the Lahore crowd stunned by the batting unit&#39;s lack of application.

This critical match holds massive implications for the tournament standings. While Pakistan has already secured its place in the final on October 31, Sri Lanka requires a victorious chase to guarantee their spot and eliminate England from final contention.&nbsp;

Chasing a target of 111 runs, the Sri Lankan top-order will look to wrap up the contest clinically. If they succeed, it will set up a thrilling rematch between these two subcontinental rivals in the tournament&#39;s showcase finale later this week.

Watch <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/watch/pak-vs-sl-5th-odi-live/1188671">PAK vs SL live</a> on tapmad.&nbsp;

Dilshan Madushanka's 5 wickets dismantled Pakistan for 110 in PAK vs SL match 5, leaving Sri Lanka a target of 111 in the ODI Tri-Series.

PAK vs SL Match 5: Pakistan Bowled Out for 110 in Lahore

Pakistan lost five wickets for 61 runs against Sri Lanka in the fifth ODI of the 2026 Pakistan Tri-Nation Series at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis chose to bowl first, and his side quickly put Pakistan under pressure. The hosts struggled to build partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals and reaching 61/5 after 13.1 overs.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:20,&quot;y&quot;:236,&quot;w&quot;:277,&quot;h&quot;:46,&quot;abs_x&quot;:714,&quot;abs_y&quot;:946}">Babar Azam falls after top-scoring with 29</h2>

Babar Azam was Pakistan&rsquo;s top scorer with 29 off 33 balls, hitting five fours before Eshan Malinga trapped him lbw. His dismissal left Pakistan five down before the innings had reached 70.

Salman Ali Agha fell for nine off 14 balls just before Babar, caught by Mendis off Sahan Arachchige.

Pakistan&rsquo;s opening pair failed to provide a solid start. Fakhar Zaman made five off 13 balls before Dilshan Madushanka dismissed him, while Maaz Sadaqat scored eight before falling lbw to Asitha Fernando.

Saad Baig added only five runs from eight deliveries. Madushanka took his wicket, with Janith Liyanage completing the catch.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:20,&quot;y&quot;:687,&quot;w&quot;:277,&quot;h&quot;:23,&quot;abs_x&quot;:714,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1397}">Sri Lanka bowlers keep control</h2>

Madushanka led Sri Lanka&rsquo;s attack with two wickets for 18 runs in five overs, including a maiden. Fernando took one wicket for 24 runs, while Arachchige and Malinga claimed one each.

Pakistan&rsquo;s run rate stood at 4.63 when the fifth wicket fell. Hasan Nawaz was unbeaten on zero, with Arafat Minhas, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf still to come.

Pakistan entered the match after winning their first three games in the tri-series and had already qualified for the October 31 final, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board.

However, the early collapse handed Sri Lanka control of the contest. Pakistan now need a recovery from Hasan Nawaz and the lower order to post a competitive total.

Sri Lanka had lost their previous meeting with Pakistan by 37 runs. Their disciplined start in Lahore gives them an opportunity to respond, while Pakistan must find a way to steady the innings before the damage becomes greater.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:20,&quot;y&quot;:1273,&quot;w&quot;:277,&quot;h&quot;:46,&quot;abs_x&quot;:714,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1983}">Watch Pakistan vs Sri Lanka live On tapmad</h2>

Watch <a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:59,&quot;y&quot;:1338,&quot;w&quot;:148,&quot;h&quot;:14,&quot;abs_x&quot;:753,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2048}" href="https://www.tapmad.com/watch/pak-vs-sl-5th-odi-live/1188671">Pakistan vs Sri Lanka live</a> on tapmad for ball-by-ball action from the Tri-Series ODI. Follow every wicket, boundary and key moment as Pakistan fight to recover against Sri Lanka in Lahore.

Pakistan slip to 61/5 against Sri Lanka in the Tri-Series ODI in Lahore as early wickets expose their batting problems. Babar Azam scores 29.

Pakistan Slump to 61/5 Against Sri Lanka in Tri-Series ODI

LAHORE: Shai Hope, Angelo Mathews and Ian Bishop were among the international cricket figures who praised Pakistan after their remarkable one-wicket victory over England in the ODI tri-series on Sunday, with Shadab Khan&rsquo;s unbeaten century drawing particular attention.

Pakistan looked close to defeat at 154-9 while chasing England&rsquo;s 242-run target at Gaddafi Stadium. Shadab, however, kept the chase alive with an unbeaten 113 off 96 balls, sharing an unbroken 89-run partnership with Haris Rauf to take Pakistan into the final.

Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy summed up the contest in a short social media post.

&ldquo;Wow.. another thriller,&rdquo; Sammy wrote.

Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews focused on Shadab&rsquo;s individual effort, praising the all-rounder for rescuing Pakistan when the match appeared to be slipping away.

&ldquo;That was a sensational innings by @76Shadabkhan 👏👏 won it for Pakistan out of nowhere,&rdquo; Mathews wrote.

West Indies batter Shai Hope also reacted to the finish, posting: &ldquo;Cricket 🤝 Absolute Cinema.&rdquo;

Ian Bishop highlighted the contributions of both Pakistan players, pointing to Haris&rsquo; support at the other end as Shadab took responsibility for the chase.

&ldquo;Outstanding win by Pakistan by 1 wicket tonight. YES of course, Shadab KHAN!!!!!! Brilliant innings. As important a 7(19) by Haris Rauf in an 89 run partnership for the last wicket,&rdquo; Bishop wrote.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain also credited the pair, particularly Shadab&rsquo;s decision to change his approach when Pakistan needed to accelerate.

&ldquo;You&#39;ve got to give Pakistan credit, and Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf,&rdquo; Hussain said, praising their awareness and execution under pressure.

He also criticised England&rsquo;s response when the game turned against them, saying the side had struggled to cope when put under pressure in the closing stages.

<h2>Shadab and Haris turn the match around</h2>

The Shadab Khan century against England came after Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals. Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Babar Azam were among the early dismissals, leaving the hosts in trouble during the chase.

Shadab responded with 13 fours and five sixes, keeping Pakistan in contention as wickets continued to fall. His innings was the highest individual score in men&#39;s ODIs by a batter coming in at number eight or lower, according to the ICC.

Haris contributed only seven runs off 19 deliveries, but his presence at the other end proved vital. Their unbeaten 89-run stand became the highest tenth-wicket partnership in a successful men&#39;s ODI run chase, surpassing the previous record of 64 runs.

Pakistan completed the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/pak-won-by-one-wicket-shadabs-century-seals-final-spot-in-tri-series/8671-5-0">chase at 243-9 in 47.1 overs</a>, winning by one wicket and securing their place in the tri-series final. The result gave the hosts their third consecutive victory in the competition, while England remained without a win after three matches.

Shadab&rsquo;s century provided the defining moment of the contest, but the partnership with Haris ensured that his innings ended in victory rather than another narrow defeat.

Shai Hope, Ian Bishop and Angelo Mathews praise Shadab Khan after his unbeaten 113 helped Pakistan beat England by one wicket in Lahore.

Shadab Khan Century Draws Praise After Pakistan Beat England

Pakistan have released opening batter Saim Ayub from their squad for the remainder of the ODI tri-series against England and Sri Lanka after he requested to return to domestic cricket to work on his batting form and regain confidence.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the decision on Monday, October 26, following a discussion between Ayub and head coach Mike Hesson. The team management and national selection committee accepted the left-hander&rsquo;s request and named Sahibzada Farhan as his replacement.

Ayub has struggled to produce runs during the ongoing competition, scoring just 21 runs in three matches. His departure gives him an opportunity to work on his batting away from the national setup.

According to the PCB, the decision followed Ayub&rsquo;s own assessment of his current form. The board did not announce how long he would spend playing domestic cricket.

<h2>Saim Ayub&rsquo;s Recent ODI Form</h2>

The 24-year-old has built a strong record in the 50-over format since making his international debut. He has scored 772 runs in 20 ODIs at an average of 40.63, including three centuries and three half-centuries.

His recent returns, however, have been less consistent. Ayub has accumulated 257 runs at an average of 23.36 across his last 11 ODI innings, with two half-centuries during that stretch.

His struggles continued in the tri-series, where he managed only 21 runs across three appearances. He scored six in Pakistan&rsquo;s latest match against England on Sunday.

<h2>Sahibzada Farhan Gets an ODI Call-Up</h2>

Sahibzada Farhan replaces Saim Ayub in the squad for the remainder of the tournament. The right-handed batter currently captains Pakistan&rsquo;s T20I side and now has another opportunity to feature in the ODI setup.

He has played six ODIs for Pakistan, scoring 101 runs at an average of 16.83. His international experience in the format remains limited compared with Ayub&rsquo;s.

Pakistan have already qualified for the tri-series final after winning three consecutive matches. Their latest victory came against England, when Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf produced a remarkable last-wicket stand to complete a one-wicket chase.

<h2>Shadab Khan Leads Pakistan&rsquo;s Comeback</h2>

Chasing England&rsquo;s target of 242, Pakistan slipped to 154-9 and appeared close to defeat. Shadab then took control of the innings, finishing <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/pak-won-by-one-wicket-shadabs-century-seals-final-spot-in-tri-series/8671-5-0">unbeaten on 113 off 96 balls</a>.

He shared an unbroken 89-run partnership with Rauf, who scored seven off 19 deliveries, to guide Pakistan home with one wicket remaining.

Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in their next tri-series match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, October 27. The final is scheduled for October 31.

With Ayub returning to domestic cricket and Farhan joining the ODI squad, Pakistan have made a change to their batting options ahead of the tournament&rsquo;s final stages.

Saim Ayub has been released from Pakistan’s ODI squad to work on his batting form, with Sahibzada Farhan named as his replacement.

Saim Ayub Released From Pakistan ODI Squad, Farhan Replaces Him

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Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026

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