Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 and record last-wicket stand take Pakistan past England into tri-series final

Shadab Khan produced the innings of his career on Sunday, 25 October, scoring an unbeaten 113 to carry Pakistan to a one-wicket win over England in a One-Day International at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The result put Pakistan into the final of the three-nation ODI series, which also features Sri Lanka.

The game was a 50-over contest, not a Test, although “Test cricket” was also trending in India alongside the fixture. England were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs. Pakistan reached 243 for nine in 47.1 overs, after looking beaten at 154 for nine.

A record last-wicket stand

When the ninth wicket fell, Pakistan still needed 88 runs, and only fast bowler Haris Rauf was left to support Shadab. The pair added an unbroken 89 for the tenth wicket. Sky Sports and Dawn both reported that this is now the highest last-wicket partnership in a successful ODI run chase. Dawn said the previous best was 64.

Rauf’s part was to survive. He finished on 7 not out off 19 balls and left the scoring to his partner. Shadab got to his maiden ODI hundred and ended on 113 off 96 balls, his best score in the format. According to Dawn’s scorecard, he hit 13 fours and five sixes. He was named player of the match.

The chase began badly. Sky Sports reported that Pakistan had slipped to 74 for three, and the middle and lower order then fell around Shadab. Jamie Overton was England’s most successful bowler with three for 43. Debutant Henry Crocombe took his first international wicket.

Duckett’s hundred goes in vain

England’s innings was built around opener Ben Duckett, who made 105 off 111 balls, his third ODI century. Not enough support came from the other end, though. Shaheen Shah Afridi took four for 46, and Arafat Minhas picked up two wickets cheaply as England failed to bat out their overs.

This was Pakistan’s second win over England in the tournament. In the earlier meeting at Rawalpindi on 20 October, Pakistan won by 88 runs. ARY News reported that Minhas took six for 40 that day after a half-century with the bat.

What it means for the series

The win confirms Pakistan’s place in the final, which will be played in Lahore on Saturday, 31 October. For England, the defeat was their second in a row, following their loss to Sri Lanka on 22 October. Sky Sports reported that England must now beat Sri Lanka in their last group game on Thursday, 29 October, to keep any hope of reaching the final.

The innings also comes at a useful time for Shadab. The all-rounder has spent long spells in and out of Pakistan’s white-ball sides. A match-winning hundred with the bat, against a strong England attack and with the game nearly lost, will be hard for selectors to ignore.

Sources

• Sky Sports: Pakistan vs England: Shadab Khan makes maiden ODI century in 89-run last wicket stand to secure victory despite Ben Duckett ton
• Dawn: Shadab’s fighting ton steers Pakistan to tri-series final after thrilling chase against England
• ARY News: Minhas stars as Pakistan sink England in tri-series clash