LAHORE MIRROR (AFP) — Shadab Khan’s maiden century rescued Pakistan from a dire situation and took them to a stunning one-wicket victory over England in the one-day international in Lahore on Sunday, booking the hosts’ spot in the final of the tri-series.
Defending a modest 242-run target, England were on the cusp of victory with the home team reduced to 154-9, but Shadab’s unbeaten 113 condemned Harry Brook’s side to a third defeat in five days in the series, which also involves Sri Lanka.
England, who failed to defend a 430-run target against Sri Lanka on Thursday, were left stunned as number 11 Haris Rauf cracked the winning boundary with 17 balls to spare, sparking huge celebrations in the Pakistan dug-out.
Haris, who scored an unbeaten seven, ably played his part in a match-winning 89-run partnership with Shadab for the last wicket.
Khan, who cracked five sixes and 13 boundaries, was lucky to survive a leg-before decision off Gus Atkinson with 20 needed. But while trudging off distraught, he took a review which overturned the decision.
Restored to the crease, the 28-year-old guided Pakistan to victory and a spot in next Saturday’s final – his score now is the highest batting at number eight in all ODIs.
It was a stunning turnaround which left Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi struggling for words,
Pakistan lost opener Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam for 10 each and Saim Ayub for six in a poor start before Saad Baig (32) and Salman Agha (26) briefly revived the innings.
