Pakistan’s one‑day international against England turned from a near defeat into a historic win on Sunday at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, thanks to an extraordinary unbeaten 113 by all‑rounder Shadab Khan. The hosts, teetering at 154‑9 in the chase of 242, found new life when Shadab and fast bowler Haris Rauf joined forces for a last‑wicket partnership that rewrote the record books.
England had posted 241 all out after 46.4 overs, a total that looked comfortably defendable in a three‑team series where the visitors were chasing their first win. Ben Duckett’s lone brilliance, a 105 off 111 balls, had been the only bright spot for England, but his innings was clipped short when Arafat Minhas dismissed him. Shaheen Afridi then ripped through the English line‑up, taking four wickets for 46 runs, including the crucial wicket of Henry Crocombe. The English side limped home with a sub‑par total, leaving Pakistan with a modest target of 242.
The Pakistani top order, however, could not cope with the disciplined spell of Jamie Overton (3‑43) and Liam Dawson (2‑19). Their combined pressure saw Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam and Saad Baig fall cheaply, and the scoreboard slid to 154‑9. By the time the ninth wicket fell, the crowd that had filled Gaddafi Stadium began to thin, the atmosphere turning from hopeful to resigned.
When Shadab Khan walked to the crease at number eight, the expectation was simply to survive the final over. Yet the 28‑year‑old launched a counter‑attack that would become the innings of a lifetime. Facing a disciplined English bowling attack, he struck 113 runs off 96 deliveries, mixing powerful drives with deft sweeps. He rotated the strike expertly, finding gaps in the field and punishing loose deliveries. Haris Rauf, unbeaten on 7 off 19, provided steady support, and together they compiled a 127‑run stand, the highest last‑wicket partnership ever to chase down a target in ODI history.
The partnership’s significance was highlighted by former Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Hafeez, who called it “an innings to remember”. Sri Lanka veteran Angelo Mathews echoed the sentiment on social media, writing, “Won it for Pakistan out of nowhere.” Barbadian wicket‑keeper Shai Hope described the match as “absolute cinema”, while former West Indies star Daren Sammy labelled it “another thriller”. Their reactions show how rare such a finish is in the limited‑overs format, where a single wicket often decides the outcome.
Shadab’s triumph was not merely personal; it breathed new life into a fan base that had endured months of disappointing performances on the global stage. In a post‑match message, he dedicated the win to his mother and wife, adding, “Special mention for Haris Rauf, we win only as a team and he showed that today in the partnership. Thank you to my entire team.” His words resonated across social media, where memes and jokes about turning the game into a documentary began to circulate, reflecting the collective relief and excitement of Pakistani supporters.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi praised the resilience of his side, especially the finish. “We thought we had a lot of variation in the team, so that’s why we brought Shadab in,” Afridi said. He noted the need for more runs from the top order, a weakness that had been exposed earlier, but remained hopeful: “I think tonight we’ll be celebrating; tomorrow back to normal.” Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf shared a similar sentiment, writing, “Superb display of positive intent! Fearless, aggressive and full of belief. Take a bow.”
English commentary also reflected the awe of the comeback. Sky Sports analyst Nasser Hussain highlighted the shift in intent that turned the tide, stating, “Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf; that partnership, you had to be really switched on and smart how you played it.” He praised Shadab’s decision to alter his approach mid‑innings, noting it offered a lesson for future chases. Retired England bowler Chris Woakes agreed, calling a hundred at number eight “pretty special”. Their observations point to how a change in strategy, even late in an innings, can completely alter the dynamics of a chase.
The win secured Pakistan a place in the series final, a crucial step toward reviving confidence ahead of upcoming international commitments. Organisers of the tri‑nation tournament have hinted at more ODIs in the calendar, a prospect welcomed by fans who see the format as a vehicle for thrilling finishes such as this. As the teams prepare for the next round, the focus will shift to strengthening the Pakistani top order, a weakness exposed earlier in the match.
In the immediate aftermath, the crowd that had begun to disperse returned in force, chanting Shadab’s name as he left the field. The stadium reverberated with applause, a stark contrast to the quiet that had settled when the ninth wicket fell. The victory, described by many as a cinematic climax, showcases the unpredictable nature of cricket and the impact a single innings can have on a nation’s sporting morale.
Looking ahead, Pakistan will aim to build on this momentum. The coaching staff will likely review the top‑order collapse that left them 154‑9, while the batting depth demonstrated by Shadab and Rauf will be a template for future chases. The next challenge for Pakistan will be to translate the dramatic rescue into consistent performances as the series progresses.
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