A rescue act from the brink
Pakistan looked finished as a batting side when they slid to 154-9 in the 34th over while chasing 242, yet Shadab Khan refused to accept the outcome. The all-rounder made an unbeaten 113, his first century in one-day international cricket, and number eleven Haris Rauf stayed with him to the end. Haris struck the boundary that sealed the match with 17 balls remaining, an unbeaten seven off 19 deliveries, and the Pakistan dug-out erupted.[S1][S3]
The pair put on 89 runs for the final wicket, which the Reuters report describes as the highest partnership for the last wicket in a successful ODI chase. Shadab's innings contained 13 fours and five sixes. He was given out leg-before to Gus Atkinson with the target still 21 runs away, but a review showed an inside edge and the decision was overturned, allowing him to finish the job.[S1][S3]
England's innings and Pakistan's reply
England were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs after choosing to bat, with Ben Duckett holding the innings together through 105, his fifth ODI hundred. Sam Curran made 42 in a fifth-wicket stand of 93 that lifted England from 19-3, and Gus Atkinson finished unbeaten on 36. Shaheen Shah Afridi took 4-46, while Razaullah claimed 2-38 on his ODI debut and Arafat Minhas finished with 2-26.[S1][S3]
Shaheen, captaining Pakistan, removed Tom Banton for four in the opening over, his 150th ODI wicket, and had Joe Root caught for five in his next over. Harry Brook, who had struck the fastest ODI double century during England's loss to Sri Lanka, was run out for one. Pakistan's chase began badly, with Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam both out for 10 and Saim Ayub for six, before Saad Baig made 32 and Salman Agha 26. Shadab arrived in the 24th over at 103-6.[S1][S3]
What the result means for the series
The defeat was England's third in five days in a competition that also includes Sri Lanka, following their failure to defend 430 against Sri Lanka on Thursday. To reach the October 31 final, England need Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday and then must win their own match against Sri Lanka on Thursday. Pakistan, meanwhile, have already secured their place in next Saturday's final.[S1][S3]
