slug: “shadab-century-pakistan-england-tri-series-final-october-2026”
category: “Cricket News”
headline: “Shadab Century Takes Pakistan Into Tri-Series Final”
seo_title: “Shadab Century Takes Pakistan Into Tri-Series Final”
meta_description: “Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 carried Pakistan from 154-9 to a one-wicket win over England in Lahore and a place in the tri-series final on October 31.”
focus_keyphrase: “Shadab century”
image_url: “hourly-2134-shadab-century-pakistan-england-tri-series-final-october-2026.webp”
image_credit: “Geo TV”
—
Shadab Century Takes Pakistan Into Tri-Series Final
Shadab Khan scored an unbeaten 113 as Pakistan beat England by one wicket in Lahore on Sunday and booked a place in the tri-series final. The hosts chased down England’s total of 241 to reach 243-9 in 47.1 overs at Gaddafi Stadium, after looking beaten at 154-9.
The win sealed Pakistan’s place in the final on October 31. England, who lost both of their matches in Rawalpindi before this game, suffered another late defeat in a series full of close finishes.
How Pakistan recovered from 154-9
Pakistan lost their top order early in the chase. Fakhar Zaman made 10, Saim Ayub made six and Babar Azam made 10, and the hosts slipped into trouble inside the first seven overs. Saad Baig then counter-attacked with 32 off 22 balls, but his dismissal left Pakistan at 74-4.
Hasan Nawaz made 15 and Arafat Minhas fell for one, so Shadab walked to the crease with Pakistan at 103-5. Salman Ali Agha made 26 before he was caught off Liam Dawson at 121-6. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Razaullah then fell, and Pakistan stood at 154-9 after 33.5 overs, still needing 88 runs.
Shadab refused to give up the chase. He built his innings patiently at first, then attacked with greater force as the target came closer. He used sweeps, reverse-sweeps and crisp drives to keep the scoreboard moving, and he protected his partner at the other end by keeping the strike when he could.
The drama peaked late in the chase. Shadab was given out leg-before against Gus Atkinson, but a review showed a spike on UltraEdge as the ball passed the bat, and the decision was overturned. He then reached his maiden ODI century and kept Pakistan on course for victory.
Haris Rauf held firm at the other end and struck the winning boundary off debutant Henry Crocombe. The unbroken 89-run stand between Shadab and Haris set a record for the highest 10th-wicket partnership in a successful ODI chase, passing the previous mark of 64.
Shadab finished on 113 not out off 96 balls, with 13 fours and five sixes. His century made him only the third batter to score an ODI hundred at No. 8 or lower.
Duckett century had put England in control
England had earlier been bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs after choosing to bat first. Ben Duckett held their innings together with 105 off 111 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes. Sam Curran gave him the only strong support with 42 off 52 balls, and the pair added 93 for the fifth wicket.
Shaheen Shah Afridi led Pakistan’s bowling with 4-46. He reduced England to 19-3 inside five overs, removing Tom Banton for four, Joe Root for five, and captain Harry Brook for one through a run out. Haris Rauf then removed Jordan Cox for six, and England slipped to 52-4.
Duckett rebuilt the innings and reached his fifth ODI century, his first against Pakistan, before Arafat Minhas dismissed him. Gus Atkinson finished unbeaten on 36 off 28 balls, with three sixes, to lift England past 200. Shaheen ended the innings by dismissing Crocombe for eight.
Why the Shadab century matters for Pakistan
The result continued a strong tri-series run for Pakistan, who had already won both of their matches in Rawalpindi. Feature Pakistan had previewed Pakistan’s final-berth clash with England before the match, and reported the squad changes for the Lahore leg. It also capped a memorable day at Gaddafi Stadium, where Pakistan played in pink for breast cancer awareness. Feature Pakistan earlier reported Pakistan’s Pink Day fixture against England, and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s 150th ODI wicket in the same match.
For England, the defeat leaves their final hopes in serious trouble after a series in which they have lost close games from strong positions. Sri Lanka remain in the race for the other final place, and the Lahore leg will now decide who joins Pakistan on October 31.
