Shadab Khan struck a superb unbeaten century to guide Pakistan to an historic victory over England in their ODI in Lahore on Sunday.
Shadab combined with fast bowler Haris Rauf for an unbeaten stand of 89 for the 10th wicket, as Pakistan successfully chased down England’s total of 241 with 17 balls remaining to clinch a one-wicket triumph.
It was the fourth largest 10th wicket partnership ever in men’s ODI history and the biggest in a successful run chase, surpassing the unbeaten 64 that Deryck Murray and Andy Roberts put together for the West Indies against Pakistan in the inaugural ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 1975.
Highest 10th wicket partnerships – Men’s ODIs
| PLAYERS | PARTNERSHIP |
| Viv Richards & Michael Holding (West Indies) | 106* v England, 1984 |
| Mohammad Amir & Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan) | 103 v New Zealand, 2009 |
| Ravi Rampaul & Kemar Roach (West Indies) | 99* v India, 2011 |
| Shadab Khan & Haris Rauf (Pakistan) | 89* v England, 2026 |
| Aayan Afzal Khan & Hazrat Bilal (UAE) | 83* v Nepal, 2022 |
Shadab’s innings of 113 from just 96 deliveries was also the biggest score ever in a men’s ODI from a player coming in at No.8 or below, with the efforts of the right-hander better than the scores of 100 managed by Ireland’s Simi Singh against South Africa in 2021 and Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz against India in 2021.
Pakistan’s hopes of victory looked forlorn when they slipped to 154/9 in the 34th over, but Shadab took control of the situation to shelter Rauf from the strike and attacked England’s bowlers when required to put the tri-series hosts in touching distance of the victory target.
Shadab thought he was out lbw on 97 when trapped by Gus Atkinson, but a thick edge saved him and he responded with back-to-back fours from the England pacer to bring up his century and a massive six later in the over to leave the hosts with just three runs to win.
It was then Rauf that finished the unlikely chase when he drilled Henry Crocombe down the ground for four to ensure victory, leaving Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi lost for words after the match.
“I can’t say anything,” Shaheen said.
“Shadab and Haris, the way they finished the game, (an) 89-run partnership. I’ve never seen (anything) like that in my life.
“I am really happy as captain, starting from the morning, the team effort was top drawer.”
Earlier it was opener Ben Duckett (105) that guided England to a decent total with an excellent century, with skipper Harry Brook out for just one after his quickfire double-century against Sri Lanka earlier in the tri-series.
Brook couldn’t fault the effort of his bowlers and believes his side left a few runs out there during their batting innings.
“I don’t think we went wrong with the ball, to be honest. I thought we did an exceptional job,” Brook noted.
“We probably didn’t quite get enough runs on the board, but the effort put up was phenomenal, couldn’t have asked for more.”
Pakistan sit on top of the tri-series standings with three wins from as many matches, while England are rooted to the bottom without a victory from their two contests thus far.
