Shadab Khan hit an epic ODI century and England suffered another extraordinary defeat as Pakistan snatched a one-wicket victory on Sunday to secure its place in the cricket tri-series final. Pakistan’s chase looked doomed at 154-9 before a defiant 89-run last-wicket stand between Shadab and No. 11 Haris Rauf secured a dazzling win. Shadab smashed his first ODI century to take Pakistan to 243-9 in 47.1 overs. England, which scored 429 and still lost in its last game against Sri Lanka, was earlier bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs.
With that score, Shadab broke the world record for the highest score in an ODI innings while batting at No. Rauf gave him ample support by sensibly avoiding expansive shots While Shadab outsmarted England’s pace attack with his brilliant batting. That included the run-out of Brook, who went for a second run but fell short of his crease following an electrifying throw from debutant Razaullah .
Playing his first game of the tournament, Shadab scored 113 not out off 96 balls and farmed most of the strike. 8 or below. He surpassed the record held by Simi Singh of Ireland (100* against South Africa). Left-handed opener Ben Duckett scored 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 after successfully defending 300-plus scores in the first two games. It was England’s third successive defeat in the tournament after losing to Pakistan by 87 runs and seeing Sri Lanka pull off the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history despite captain Harry Brook scoring a blistering 114-ball double century. Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in their final league game on Tuesday after beating the Sri Lankans by 37 runs in the tournament opener. Rauf joined Shadab at 154-9 in the 34th over and launched a partnership neither side will quickly forget. Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson (2-30) and Jacks (1-18) then bowled tidily to raise England’s hopes of a first win in the tournament. Afridi finished with 4-46 as England lost four of their top five batters for single-digit scores.
