England’s tri-series final aspirations took a severe blow in Lahore after Shadab Khan’s composed century rescued Pakistan from a precarious position. Despite reducing the hosts to 154 for nine while chasing 242, England failed to close out the match, allowing the all-rounder to exploit the pressure and secure a dramatic one-wicket victory with 17 balls remaining.
No. 11 heroics rescue Pakistan from 154/9, keeping tri-series final hopes alive
Shadab, batting at No. 11 alongside Haris Rauf, displayed the urgency that was absent from his top-order counterparts. He anchored the innings with a masterful 113 not out off 96 deliveries, meticulously marshalling the strike to ensure Haris faced only 19 balls. Rauf contributed an unbeaten seven, but it was Shadab’s maiden international hundred that proved decisive in flipping the momentum against the visiting side.
This result leaves England’s path to the final hanging by a thread, marking another instance where they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. The performance highlights a critical gap in England’s death-bowling strategy, as they were unable to break the lower-order partnership despite dominating the middle overs. Pakistan’s resilience in the face of a 154/9 deficit serves as a stark reminder of their competitive edge in high-pressure scenarios.
Source: The Independent Sport
