Shadab Khan hit a maiden one-day international century from number eight to rescue Pakistan from the brink of defeat and secure a one-wicket victory over England in Lahore on Sunday, booking the hosts a place in Saturday’s tri-series final. The innings, unbeaten on 113 off 96 balls, was one of the more remarkable chases in Pakistan’s ODI history.

Pakistan were chasing 242 at Gaddafi Stadium and, by the 34th over, were 154 for 9 with almost no realistic prospect of winning. Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam had both been dismissed for 10 and Saim Ayub for six in a poor start, and Saad Baig (32) and Salman Ali Agha (26) had briefly revived the innings before the middle order gave way again. Shadab had walked in during the 24th over with the score at 103 for 6. What followed was a counter-attack that included 13 fours and five sixes, and it was built around a 10th-wicket partnership of 89 with Haris Rauf, who finished the match by hitting the winning boundary with 17 balls to spare.

The numbers around the innings are striking. Shadab’s 113 is the highest score by a number eight batter in ODI history, according to AFP and the International Cricket Council. The 89-run last-wicket stand is the highest 10th-wicket partnership in a successful ODI chase, a record that captures how unlikely the result was. At one point Shadab was given out and began walking off before a review overturned the decision, a moment of fortune that turned out to be decisive. He went on to reach his century off 91 balls with a boundary off Gus Atkinson and kept scoring freely to the end.

England’s batting had been uneven but competitive. They were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs after losing early wickets, with captain Shaheen Shah Afridi removing Tom Banton for four in the opening over, his 150th ODI wicket, which made him the 13th Pakistani bowler to reach that mark. Harry Brook, whose recent double century in a heavy defeat to Sri Lanka had made him one of the tournament’s headline names, was run out for one. Ben Duckett’s fifth ODI hundred and a resolute innings from Sam Curran briefly steadied England before Shaheen took two more wickets to end the innings. Shaheen finished with 4 for 46, and Razaullah took 2 for 38 on his ODI debut, a solid start for the young seamer.

The reaction was immediate. President Asif Ali Zardari praised the century and the decisive last-wicket stand, saying the team had shown courage, determination and excellent cricket, and congratulated Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the team’s success. He also thanked the Lahore crowd and credited the PCB for promoting international cricket at home. Social media was filled with celebration, and the International Cricket Council highlighted the knock as a hundred made under heavy pressure.

For Shadab, the century has particular significance. The 28-year-old all-rounder made his ODI debut in 2017 and has long been valued for his leg-spin and lower-order batting, but a hundred in the format had eluded him until now. His earlier career included a first-class century for Pakistan A in Zimbabwe in 2016, a sign of his batting ability, and Sunday’s innings showed that he can also play the anchor’s role when the situation demands it. His place in the side has at times been questioned, and an innings like this will strengthen his case, particularly with the 2027 World Cup being the stated goal of the series.

Also Read: Salman Agha’s Century and Shaheen’s Pace Attack Hand Pakistan Winning Start in ODI Tri-Series

The win also changes the picture in the tournament. Pakistan are through to the final on October 31, while England’s chances now hang in the balance. They need Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday and then win against Sri Lanka on Thursday to take the second spot. That makes today’s match in Lahore a significant one, with Pakistan already assured of their place but with a chance to experiment or build momentum, and England watching closely.

There is a wider lesson in Sunday’s match as well. Pakistan’s top order again struggled, with three of the first four batters out for 10 or fewer, and the chase would almost certainly have failed without Shadab’s innings. The team’s bowling, led by Shaheen, has been the more reliable unit in the series, but a top order that cannot give the middle order a platform will be a concern against stronger opposition in the final. The selectors will be encouraged by Shadab’s contribution but will also want to know how the batting can be stabilised without depending on a lower-order rescue.

For now, though, the focus is on a result that Pakistani fans will remember for a long time. A side that looked beaten was saved by one batter’s determination and a tailender’s nerve, and the tri-series final on Saturday will be played with that victory behind it.

Compiled by the Weekly PK Sports Desk.