Shadab Khan produced a brilliant unbeaten century to guide Pakistan to a one-wicket victory over England in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.
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Chasing a target of 242 runs, Pakistan reached 243 for nine in 47.1 overs, with Shadab scoring an unbeaten 113 off 96 balls. His innings included 13 fours and five sixes.
Pakistan were in trouble early in the chase after losing three wickets for just 31 runs. Fakhar Zaman scored 10, Saim Ayub made six, while Babar Azam was dismissed for 10.
Saad Baig offered some resistance with 32 off 22 balls, including seven fours. However, Pakistan continued to lose wickets and slipped to 103 for six before Shadab began to rebuild the innings.
Salman Agha scored 26, while Hasan Nawaz contributed 15, but England kept the pressure on Pakistan by taking regular wickets.
With Pakistan reduced to 154 for nine, Shadab found an important partner in Haris Rauf. The pair added an unbeaten 89 runs for the last wicket to take Pakistan over the line.
Haris remained not out on seven off 19 balls, while Shadab completed a memorable century and secured the victory with one wicket remaining.
Earlier, England were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs after being asked to bat first.
Ben Duckett top-scored for England with 105 off 111 balls, hitting 10 fours and two sixes. Sam Curran added 42 runs, while Gus Atkinson remained unbeaten on 36.
Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi led the bowling attack with four wickets for 46 runs in 8.4 overs. Arafat Minhas and Razaullah took two wickets each, while Haris Rauf claimed one wicket.
England struggled early, losing four wickets for 52 runs. Duckett and Curran then helped rebuild the innings with a fifth-wicket partnership of 93 runs.
However, Pakistan’s bowlers struck back to dismiss England for 241, setting up a chase that went down to the final wicket. Shadab Khan was named Player of the Match for his match-winning century, which kept Pakistan’s campaign in the tri-series on track.
