Shadab’s last-wicket miracle help Pakistan stun England

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP):

Shadab Khan struck a magnificent One-Day International (ODI) century as Pakistan pulled off a remarkable one-wicket victory over England yesterday to secure their place in the tri-series final.

Pakistan’s chase appeared doomed at 154-9 before a defiant 89-run last-wicket partnership between Shadab and No. 11 batter Haris Rauf carried the hosts to a dramatic win. Shadab’s maiden ODI century guided Pakistan to 243-9 in 47.1 overs after England had earlier been bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs.

England’s defeat came after they scored 429 and still lost to Sri Lanka in their previous match.

Playing his first game of the tournament, Shadab finished unbeaten on 113 from 96 balls and farmed much of the strike during the closing stages. Rauf, unbeaten on seven from 19 deliveries, struck the winning boundary as Pakistan claimed a third consecutive victory.

It was the highest last-wicket partnership in a successful ODI run chase.

Left-handed opener Ben Duckett made 105 for England, his fifth ODI century and first against Pakistan, after Shaheen Shah Afridi won his first toss of the tournament and elected to field. Pakistan had successfully defended totals in excess of 300 in each of their first two matches.

It was England’s third straight defeat of the tournament. They had already lost to Pakistan by 87 runs before Sri Lanka completed the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history, despite captain Harry Brook blasting a 114-ball double century.

Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in their final league match tomorrow after defeating them by 37 runs in the tournament opener.

Sensational Shadab, resilient Rauf

Rauf joined Shadab at 154-9 in the 34th over and helped produce a partnership neither side will quickly forget. While Shadab countered England’s pace attack with superb stroke play, Rauf provided valuable support by resisting the temptation to play risky shots.

Shadab shielded Rauf effectively by retaining much of the strike and keeping the scoreboard moving with timely boundaries.

Gus Atkinson thought he had trapped Shadab lbw when Pakistan needed 21 more runs for victory, only for a review to reveal an inside edge. Shadab had already started walking towards the dressing room before deciding to challenge the decision and celebrated the reprieve with obvious delight.

Shadab brought up his century with a late cut off Atkinson for his 12th boundary before launching the fast bowler over long off for six, leaving Pakistan needing only three runs from the final three overs.

Rauf then drove debutant fast-bowler Henry Crocombe straight down the ground for the boundary that completed Pakistan’s remarkable recovery.

Earlier, Jamie Overton (3-43) took two sharp catches in the slips to remove struggling openers Fakhar Zaman (10) and Saim Ayub (6), while Babar Azam’s search for a significant score continued after Atkinson knocked back his off stump as Pakistan slipped to 31-3 inside seven overs.

Brook turned back to Overton shortly after the batting powerplay and the fast bowler delivered immediately, with 19-year-old Saad Baig (32) slicing a catch straight to Will Jacks at point.

Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson (2-30) and Jacks (1-18) then bowled with discipline to boost England’s hopes of a first victory in the tournament.

Duckett century lifts England

Duckett helped revive England from a precarious 52-4 with a 93-run partnership alongside Sam Curran, who scored 42 from 52 balls.

Afridi claimed 4-46 as England lost four of their top five batters for single-figure scores. Among them was Brook, whose attempt at a second run ended with a run-out after an outstanding throw from debutant Razaullah left him short of his crease.

England then lost wickets in quick succession and slumped to 201-9 after Afridi dismissed Curran in his return spell when the all-rounder mistimed a pull to fine leg. Razaullah finished with 2-38, claiming the wickets of Jacks and Dawson.

Duckett, who struck 10 fours and two sixes in his 111-ball innings, was dismissed in the 37th over when he top-edged a sweep against left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas to fine leg. Atkinson (36 not out) and Crocombe then added 40 runs for the final wicket to lift England to a competitive total.