Shadab Khan orchestrated a stunning late-innings assault to guide Pakistan to a one-wicket victory over England in their tri-series clash at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 25 October 2026, securing a place in the final and handing the hosts a dramatic turnaround from a position of near-certain defeat. According to The Guardian, Pakistan's chase appeared lost when the team reached 154 for nine, still requiring 88 runs to overhaul England's total of 241, but Khan's unbeaten 113 and a crucial partnership with Haris Rauf transformed the match into one of the tournament's most memorable contests.
Khan's innings was punctuated by drama when he was adjudged lbw to a full toss while on 97, only to discover an inside edge upon review that allowed him to continue his assault. The final stages saw Pakistan needing 20 runs, which Khan and Rauf duly delivered through a combination of aggressive batting and England's inability to close out the match, with Rauf driving Henry Crocombe for four to seal victory.
Khan was making his first appearance in the tri-series, having been brought into the squad to replace Faheem Ashraf for this fixture. The victory extended Pakistan's dominance in the tournament, as the hosts had already defeated both Sri Lanka by 37 runs and England by 87 runs in their earlier matches.
How did England's innings unfold?
England's total of 241 proved insufficient despite Ben Duckett's composed century, which represented his second hundred at the Lahore venue. The opening phase of England's innings was marked by rapid wicket losses, with the first four batsmen dismissed for 4, 5, 1, and 6 runs respectively, establishing a precarious position early in the innings.
Tom Banton fell to Shaheen Shah Afridi's fifth delivery, clipped to cover to give the Pakistan fast bowler his 150th ODI wicket. Joe Root managed to dispatch Afridi to the boundary before playing an ungainly stroke that led to his dismissal. Harry Brook, returning from a 202-run innings against Sri Lanka, was undone by a slip catch off Razaullah, who was making his ODI debut, with the fielder's throw from fine leg proving fractionally too quick. Jordan Cox attempted to guide Haris Rauf to third man but was caught by Babar Azam diving at slip, leaving England at 56 for four at the end of the power play.
Sam Curran provided crucial resistance alongside Duckett, the pair adding 93 runs before Curran was dismissed for 42 when he hooked a short ball to fine leg off Shaheen, who had returned to the attack to break the partnership. England's final five wickets contributed 96 runs, with Duckett reaching his fifth ODI century and first against Pakistan with a single, celebrating with a modest gesture to his helmet.
Arafat Minhas, fresh from taking six wickets at Rawalpindi, was not introduced into the attack until the 29th over but claimed Duckett's wicket for 105. Razaullah claimed two further scalps, removing Jacks off the dirt in his follow-through and tempting Liam Dawson to pull to deep square leg. Shaheen collected his fourth wicket when Crocombe toe-ended to extra cover, giving Babar his third catch of the innings.
How did Pakistan's chase develop?
Pakistan's pursuit of 242 began under floodlights at the Gaddafi Stadium, with the ground filling progressively as the evening progressed. The atmosphere proved challenging for Henry Crocombe, making his ODI debut as a replacement for Josh Tongue, who was unavailable due to a bruised toe. England also opted to leave Adil Rashid on the bench for the second consecutive match.
Pakistan's power play proved difficult, with Fakhar Zaman flashing a drive straight to Jamie Overton at slip in the fifth over, giving Gus Atkinson his first wicket. Crocombe struck immediately in his third over, dismissing Saim Ayub, who had begun with a six but was caught by Overton after opening the face of the bat.
Babar Azam, playing at his home ground, provided moments of brilliance with pure off-side and on-side drives, but Atkinson removed him through the gate, firing into the top of off stump. Saad Baig accelerated with 32 runs before being caught by Jacks at backward point off Overton, who had earlier required attention from the physio during the same over.
From that point, England's bowlers—particularly Liam Dawson, Sam Curran, and Overton—maintained disciplined lines and lengths, forcing Pakistan's batsmen into errors. Hasan Nawaz was caught at a considerable height by Harry Brook off Dawson, while Arafat Minhas lasted only three balls before directing Overton to Joe Root at short fine leg. Salman Ali Agha attempted an aggressive stroke and was caught at long off by Curran off Dawson, and Razaullah was deceived by a delivery from Jacks that passed between bat and pad, leaving Pakistan at 154 for nine with the match apparently beyond recovery.
What was the significance of Khan and Rauf's partnership?
With Pakistan seemingly defeated, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf orchestrated an improbable recovery that transformed the contest. Rauf contributed seven runs from 19 balls, providing the necessary stability while Khan unleashed a boundary-filled assault that brought the crowd to their feet. The partnership's turning point came when Khan was given out lbw to a full toss on 97, having already begun walking off the field and shaken hands with England players, only for a review to reveal an inside edge that overturned the decision.
Khan reached his first international century from a Gus Atkinson yorker that he dabbed for four, a milestone that energised Pakistan's hopes. The final moments contained further drama when Rauf engaged in a dispute with Will Jacks over a wide call, requiring Joe Root to usher him away from the confrontation. Rauf then drove Henry Crocombe for four to secure victory by one wicket, completing one of the tournament's most remarkable turnarounds.
What happens next in the tri-series?
Pakistan are scheduled to face Sri Lanka in Lahore on 27 October, with England meeting Sri Lanka at the same venue on 29 October. The tri-series final is set for 31 October in Lahore, with Pakistan's victory over England securing their progression to that decisive match.
Key Facts
- Shadab Khan scored an unbeaten 113 to guide Pakistan to a one-wicket victory, his first appearance in the tri-series
- Pakistan reached 154 for nine before Khan and Rauf's partnership added the required 88 runs to win
- England's total of 241 was built on Ben Duckett's century, but proved insufficient despite strong bowling performances
- Pakistan have now won both their tri-series matches, defeating Sri Lanka by 37 runs and England by 87 runs before this fixture
- The tri-series final is scheduled for 31 October in Lahore
