Shadab Khan's maiden ODI century pulls off miracle win for Pakistan against England

Pakistan pulled off one of the most extraordinary comebacks in ODI cricket as Shadab Khan smashed a breathtaking maiden century to secure a dramatic one-wicket victory over England at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Chasing England's modest target of 242, Pakistan appeared dead and buried when they lost their ninth wicket with another 88 runs required. With England just one delivery away from victory, Shadab produced an innings for the ages, turning an almost certain defeat into an unforgettable triumph.

The all-rounder hammered 113 off just 69 deliveries, combining with No. 11 Haris Rauf to produce a sensational 89-run partnership for the final wicket — the highest 10th-wicket stand in a successful run chase in men's ODI cricket.

Rauf contributed just seven runs off 19 balls, but his ability to survive at the crease proved as valuable as Shadab's explosive hitting.

The remarkable victory also maintained Pakistan's perfect record in the tournament, with three wins from three matches, while England's miserable campaign continued with three defeats in as many outings.

From certain defeat to an unbelievable victory

At one stage, Pakistan needed 88 runs with just one wicket remaining. England had done virtually everything required to defend their total of 241, and the contest appeared all but over.

Shadab, however, had other ideas.

Rather than surrendering to the pressure, the Pakistan all-rounder launched an extraordinary counterattack, taking the fight to England's bowlers while carefully managing the strike alongside Rauf.

Every boundary brought Pakistan closer to an increasingly improbable victory, while every delivery survived by Rauf kept the hosts' hopes alive.

What initially looked like an exercise in reducing the margin of defeat gradually turned into a genuine chase, with Shadab refusing to let England close out the match.

His maiden ODI hundred was not merely a personal milestone. It was an innings that rescued Pakistan from the brink and delivered one of the most memorable victories in the team's recent history.

The drama reached another level in the closing stages when Shadab was given out lbw, only for a successful review to reveal a faint edge and overturn the decision.

The reprieve proved decisive as Pakistan continued their charge towards the target before Rauf struck the winning boundary, completing a remarkable turnaround.

Shaheen Afridi's four-wicket haul restricts England to 241

Earlier, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered a superb bowling performance after electing to field, claiming four wickets for 46 runs as England were dismissed for 241 in 46.4 overs.

Shaheen struck in the opening over, removing Tom Banton for four to complete 150 wickets in ODI cricket. He followed that up by dismissing Joe Root for five, leaving England under immediate pressure.

England captain Harry Brook, who had smashed a record-breaking double century against Sri Lanka in his previous outing, managed just one run before being run out.

The visitors slumped to 19-3 inside five overs and were later reduced to 52-4 when Haris Rauf dismissed Jordan Cox for six.

However, Ben Duckett launched a determined recovery, sharing a 93-run fifth-wicket partnership with Sam Curran.

Duckett struck 105 off 111 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes, registering his fifth ODI century and first against Pakistan.

Curran contributed 42 off 52 deliveries before Shaheen returned to break the partnership.

Pakistan continued to pick up wickets, with debutant Razaullah claiming two for 38 and Arafat Minhas finishing with two for 26.

Gus Atkinson provided valuable late resistance, smashing an unbeaten 36 off 28 balls, including three sixes, to help England reach 241.

Despite Duckett's century and Atkinson's late contribution, England failed to bat out their allotted 50 overs.

Pakistan seal final berth as England suffer third straight defeat

The victory extended Pakistan's unbeaten run in the ODI tri-series to three matches and secured their place in the October 31 final with a game to spare.

Pakistan had previously defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs and England by 87 runs in Rawalpindi before producing Sunday's extraordinary comeback in Lahore.

For England, the result marked a third consecutive defeat in the tournament, leaving Harry Brook's side without a victory despite producing some remarkable individual performances.

England had already suffered a dramatic two-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi after posting a mammoth 429-4, only to see their opponents complete the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history.

Sunday's defeat was arguably even more painful. England had Pakistan nine wickets down, needing 88 runs, yet could not finish the job.

For Pakistan, the match will be remembered for Shadab Khan's sensational maiden ODI hundred, Rauf's invaluable support and a last-wicket partnership that transformed an apparently hopeless situation into a famous victory.