Shadab Khan played one of the greatest ODI knocks to help Pakistan pull victory from the jaws of defeat as England were left stunned for the second time in three days in a tri-series match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Shadab scored 113 not out, his maiden ODI century, and stitched an unbroken 89-run last-wicket partnership from 80 balls with Haris Rauf (seven not out) as Pakistan recovered from 154 for nine to 243 for nine to win by one wicket with 17 balls remaining.

Shadab had come out to bat at No. 8 with Pakistan tottering at 103 for six in 23.1 overs. Earlier, England had recovered from 52 for four in 9.1 overs to 241 in 46.4 overs, with opener Ben Duckett scoring 105.

Shadab’s 96-ball innings contained 13 fours and five sixes. He had completed his 50 from 52 balls with seven fours and a six. He reached his century from 92 balls with 12 fours and four sixes.

At 97, Shadab was given out lbw off Gus Atkinson, a decision he had accepted gracefully while showing his disappointment. But as he walked toward the dressing room, he used DRS in desperation, only to see the giant screen show a tiny tickle on the bat. The transformation of reactions from dismay to delight captured the sentiments and mood of Shadab, Haris and the rest of the team.

While Shadab dominated the last-wicket partnership, Haris Rauf befittingly struck the winning boundary as England were left stunned and shocked, with one foot on an early flight home. For Harry Brook’s side to remain alive in the series, Sri Lanka now need to lose both their matches, against Pakistan on Tuesday and England on Thursday.

Shadab’s breathtaking innings not only justified his selection and silenced his critics, but also saved the day for coach Mike Hesson, who had included him as one of the two changes from the side that defeated England by 87 runs in Rawalpindi. Shadab and Razaullah were drafted in place of Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah on a good batting surface.

Shadab was so determined and focused that, despite watching from the non-striker’s end the departures of Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Razaullah, he stayed composed, organized, calculated and punishing.

Shadab had to complete what looked like an impossible job after Pakistan’s top order had failed once again. Fakhar Zaman scored 10, Saim Ayub six and Babar Azam 10 as Pakistan slipped to 31 for three.

Saad Baig scored a blistering 22-ball 32 and added 43 runs for the fourth wicket with Salman Ali Agha (26) before Pakistan suffered another collapse to slip to 154 for nine, with Hasan Nawaz scoring 15 and Arafat Minhas one.

For England, fast bowler Jamie Overton captured three wickets for 43 runs, while Gus Atkinson followed up his vital 36 not out with two for 62. Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson finished with two for 30.

Earlier in the afternoon, Ben Duckett stroked his fifth career century after Shaheen Shah Afridi missed the trick that allowed England to bounce back from 52 for four in 9.1 overs to 241 all out in 46.4 overs.

Duckett scored 105 and put on 93 runs from 105 balls for the fifth wicket with Sam Curran (42). Duckett faced 111 balls and struck 10 fours and two sixes, with his half-century coming from 54 balls with six fours and a six.

Curran, who conceded over 100 runs on Thursday against Sri Lanka, offered a great helping hand to Duckett, scoring 42 from 73 balls with five fours.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 8.4-0-46-4, his first four-wicket haul in 15 matches, the last coming against the West Indies in August 2025. While Shaheen’s bowling put England on the back foot, his poor captaincy at the same time let England off the hook from 52 for four in 9.1 overs to 241 all out in 46.4 overs after the visitors had been sent into bat.

Shaheen, for reasons only known to himself, delayed the introduction of specialist wrist spinner Shadab Khan until the 20th over and left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas, who had taken six for 40 in the previous match, until the 29th over. Consequently, England, who looked down and out after the Powerplay overs, recovered to post a total that they very nearly defended successfully.

After England had their backs against the wall, Shaheen used part-timers Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha from either end. The two bowlers failed to stop the flow of runs and were also unsuccessful in providing the breakthrough, allowing Duckett and Curran to rebuild the innings.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have made one change to their squad. Sufiyan Moqim was released and opener Maaz Sadaqat was drafted, indicating there will be a change at the top of the order on Tuesday against Sri Lanka.

Scores in brief

Match 4 – Pakistan beat England by one wicket, Lahore

England 241 all out, 46.4 overs (Ben Duckett 105, Sam Curran 42, Gus Atkinson 36 not out; Shaheen Shah Afridi 4-46, Arafat Minhas 2-26, Razaullah 2-38)

Pakistan 243-9, 47.1 overs (Shadab Khan 113 not out, Saad Baig 32, Salman Ali Agha 26; Jamie Overton 3-43, Liam Dawson 2-30)

Player of the match – Shadab Khan (Pakistan)

Next match – Tuesday, Pakistan v Sri Lanka