Pakistan completed an unlikely one-wicket victory over England in Lahore, thanks to an 89-run last-wicket stand between Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf. Shadab finished unbeaten on 113 off 96 balls, and the win leaves England on the brink of elimination from the ODI tri-series final, their third successive defeat.
Ben Duckett made an impressive 105 off 111 for his fifth ODI century, but his innings was the lone bright spot in a disappointing batting display from England. They were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs, largely because of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who took 4-46.
England’s bowlers then dismantled Pakistan’s top order. Jamie Overton (3-43) impressed, and Liam Dawson (2-19) was relentless, as the hosts slipped to 154-9 after being 74-3.
Shadab and Rauf complete the impossible
All hope appeared lost with one wicket remaining. Shadab, however, alongside the unbeaten No 11 Rauf (7 not out off 19), recorded his career-best ODI score and his maiden century to guide Pakistan home. The finish was made even more dramatic by a successful DRS review. Shadab had been given out lbw to Gus Atkinson on 97, but the review revealed the faintest of inside edges, and he stayed in.
Shadab and Rauf’s partnership is the highest last-wicket stand in a successful run chase in ODI history. It also secured Pakistan’s place in the tri-series final. Shadab smashed 12 fours and four maximums during his innings. Rauf completed the win with a drive down the ground for the winning boundary, with 2.5 overs to spare.
England’s second heartbreaking defeat in a row followed Sri Lanka’s second-highest successful run chase in ODI history against them on Thursday. England now must beat Sri Lanka to have any chance of reaching the final.
England’s batting falters
England’s bid to end their run of defeats got off to the worst possible start. In-form opener Banton (4) chipped tamely to Arafat for Shaheen’s 150th ODI wicket. The Pakistan captain struck again with an almost mirrored dismissal of Joe Root (5), who was caught after an uncharacteristically careless slash into the off side.
Things then went from bad to worse. ODI debutant Razaullah fired a brilliant throw into the keeper to run out Harry Brook, leaving England reeling at 19-3.
Duckett then led a recovery. He built a 93-run stand with Sam Curran (42 off 52), his second century in Lahore following his career-best 165 against Australia in 2025, which brought England back to 145-5 from 52-4. Curran’s dismissal started a flurry of wickets that saw Duckett out for 105 and England slide from 175-6 to 201-9.
Atkinson (36 not out) tried to raise the pace, hitting three sixes in a 40-run last-wicket partnership with debutant Henry Crocombe. Crocombe’s dismissal ended England’s innings at 241.
Pakistan’s collapse and the final twist
England made an early breakthrough with the ball. Atkinson and Crocombe removed Fakhar Zaman (10), Saim Ayub (6) and Babar Azam (10) during the 13 powerplay deliveries. A brief Pakistan rally led by Saad Baig (32) ended when Overton claimed the first of his three wickets. Hasan Nawaz (15) and Arafat Minhas (1) then fell in the space of three balls, leaving the hosts reeling at 103-6 after 23.1 overs.
Razaullah’s dismissal for 8 left Pakistan stranded with one wicket and a deficit of 88 runs, but Shadab and Rauf had other ideas. Shadab thought his innings was over when the umpire raised the finger after a yorker from Atkinson trapped him in front. He even shook hands with the England players during the review, only for DRS to keep him in.
Reaction
England captain Harry Brook, speaking at the presentation, 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, also speaking at the presentation, 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.”
Next up for England
England’s next tri-series match is against Sri Lanka in Lahore on Thursday, with first ball at 8am.
ODI tri-series results and schedule
All times UK and Ireland.
- 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)