Pakistan completed an unlikely one-wicket victory over England in Lahore, as Shadab Khan struck an unbeaten 113 off 96 balls and shared an 89-run last-wicket stand with Haris Rauf. The result leaves England close to elimination from the ODI tri-series final.
Ben Duckett made 105 off 111 balls for his fifth ODI century, but his innings was the lone bright spot in a disappointing batting performance from England. They were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs, largely due to the bowling of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who took 4-46.
England’s bowlers then dismantled Pakistan’s top order. Jamie Overton took 3-43, and Liam Dawson took 2-19, as the hosts slipped from 74-3 to 154-9.
Shadab and Rauf complete the impossible
All hope seemed lost for Pakistan with one wicket remaining, but Shadab, who hit 12 fours and four sixes, and the No 11 Rauf (7 not out off 19) produced a career-best ODI score and Shadab’s maiden century. Shadab thought his innings was over when the umpire raised the finger for an lbw decision off Gus Atkinson. He even shook hands with the England players during the review, but DRS revealed the faintest of inside edges, and he was reprieved on 97.
Pakistan were then 20 runs away from victory. Rauf played a drive down the ground for the winning boundary with 2.5 overs to spare. The partnership was the highest last-wicket stand in a successful ODI run chase in history, and it secured Pakistan’s place in the tri-series final.
England’s innings
England’s start was poor. Opener Phil Salt was not mentioned; instead, in-form opener Banton (4) chipped a catch to Arafat for Shaheen’s 150th ODI wicket. The Pakistan captain struck again to dismiss Joe Root (5), who was caught after an uncharacteristically careless slash into the off side.
Things worsened when Razaullah, making his ODI debut, fired a brilliant throw into the keeper to run out Harry Brook, leaving England at 19-3. Duckett then led a recovery, building a 93-run stand with Sam Curran (42 off 52) after Jordan Cox fell for 6. That stand took England from 52-4 to 145-5. It was Duckett’s second century in Lahore, following his career-best 165 against Australia in 2025.
Curran’s dismissal started a flurry of wickets for Pakistan. Duckett was out on 105, and England slumped from 175-6 to 201-9. Atkinson (36 not out) attempted to accelerate, hitting three sixes in a 40-run last-wicket partnership with debutant Henry Crocombe, but Crocombe’s dismissal ended the innings at 241.
Pakistan’s chase falters
England’s bowlers made an early impact. Atkinson and Crocombe dismissed Fakhar Zaman (10), Saim Ayub (6), and Babar Azam (10) within the 13 powerplay deliveries. A brief rally led by Saad Baig (32) ended when Overton removed him. Hasan Nawaz (15) and Arafat Minhas (1) then fell within three balls, leaving Pakistan at 103-6 after 23.1 overs. Razaullah’s dismissal for 8 left Pakistan with one wicket remaining and 88 runs to get, but Shadab and Rauf had other ideas.
Reaction
England captain Harry Brook said: “I don’t think it went wrong with the ball, to be honest. I thought we did an exceptional job to restrict them to us nearly winning the game.
“We probably didn’t quite get enough runs on the board, but the effort the boys put in with the ball and in the field was phenomenal.
“Ben Duckett played an exceptional innings – his fifth ODI hundred which came at a good time. He played really well and that partnership that he and Sam Curran had together put us in a decent position to kick on.
“Unfortunately we lost a few wickets in quick succession but the way that Gus Atkinson finished the innings off was awesome.”
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said: “The way Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf finished the game with the bat – I have never seen in my life an innings like that.
“I am really happy as a captain. Starting with the bowling, the team effort was top-drawer. We thought we had a lot of variation in the team so that’s why we brought Shadab in.
“[But] we need top-order runs, we’re struggling. I hope the next few games we’ll bring that energy.”
What’s next
England must beat Sri Lanka in their final group-stage match in Lahore on Thursday, October 29, at 8am UK time, to have any chance of reaching the final.
ODI tri-series results and schedule
- October 18: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs (Rawalpindi)
- October 20: Pakistan beat England by 87 runs (Rawalpindi)
- October 22: Sri Lanka beat England by two wickets (Rawalpindi)
- October 25: Pakistan beat England by one wicket (Lahore)
- October 27 (8am): Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Lahore)
- October 29 (8am): Sri Lanka vs England (Lahore)
- October 31 (8am): Final (Lahore)