Pakistan pulled off a remarkable chase against England in the ongoing ODI tri-series, also featuring Sri Lanka, on Sunday (October 25). The hosts were down to their last wicket at 154, with another 88 runs needed to win, when Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf produced an incredible fightback to take their team home.
Shadab remained unbeaten on 113 off 113 balls, while Rauf scored seven not out off 19 deliveries. The duo stitched an unbeaten 89 runs for the 10th wicket, helping Pakistan chase down England’s target of 242 in 47.1 overs.
The partnership set a new record for the highest 10th-wicket stand in a successful ODI chase. Shadab also became the highest-scoring batter at No. 8 or lower in men’s ODI cricket, making his innings even more special.
England Recover After Early Wickets
England also had a difficult start after being asked to bat first. The visitors lost four wickets for just 52 runs and needed a partnership to get their innings back on track.
Sam Curran and Ben Duckett stepped up, adding 93 runs for the fifth wicket. Curran scored 42, while Duckett went on to make 105, giving England some much-needed stability.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Devdutt Padikkal’s Reaction After Being Given Out On 199 Goes Viral
However, Pakistan struck back and reduced England from 145/5 to 187/8. Gus Atkinson then contributed an unbeaten 36 to help the visitors cross the 200-run mark.
England were eventually bowled out for 241, leaving Pakistan with a target of 242 to win.
Pakistan Collapse Before Shadab And Rauf’s Fightback
Pakistan’s chase got off to a poor start as England’s bowlers reduced them to 31/3. Saad Baig scored 32, while Salman Agha made 26, with the pair adding 43 runs for the fourth wicket.
England continued to pick up wickets and put Pakistan under pressure. The hosts slipped from 102/4 to 154/9, leaving them with 88 runs to get and just one wicket remaining.
With the match seemingly in England’s hands, Shadab and Rauf turned the game around. Shadab took responsibility for the chase, while Rauf held his end and supported the all-rounder.
The duo stayed together until the target was reached, completing one of the most remarkable 10th-wicket partnerships in ODI history.
Shaheen Afridi Creates History With 150 ODI Wickets
Earlier in the match, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi achieved a major personal milestone with the ball.
The left-arm fast bowler became the fastest Pakistani pacer to take 150 wickets in men’s ODIs, reaching the mark in just 80 matches. He surpassed former Pakistan fast bowlers Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, who both took 91 matches to reach the milestone.
Shaheen is now the second-fastest Pakistani bowler overall to claim 150 ODI wickets. Former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq remains ahead of him, having reached the mark in 78 matches.
Shadab Khan Enters The Record Books
Shadab’s unbeaten 113 was the standout performance of the match and earned him a place in ODI record books.
His innings is now the highest individual score by a batter at No. 8 or lower in men’s ODIs. Before this knock, only two batters had scored ODI centuries from that position: Ireland’s Simi Singh, who made an unbeaten 100 against South Africa in 2021, and Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored an unbeaten 100 against India in 2022.
Shadab’s effort also helped Pakistan set a new record for the highest 10th-wicket partnership in a successful ODI chase, with his 89-run stand with Rauf proving decisive.