Pakistan pulled off a stunning one-wicket victory against England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on October 25. The win was historic, marked by Shadab Khan’s maiden international century and an unprecedented tenth-wicket partnership with Haris Rauf that set a new record in One Day International (ODI) cricket.
England Restrained to a Low Total
The Pakistani bowlers kept England to just 241 runs, a particularly impressive feat considering England had scored 429 against Sri Lanka two days earlier in Rawalpindi. Pakistan’s bowling attack managed to contain England well below that mark, setting a modest target for the home side. By the time Pakistan’s innings was faltering at 154 runs with nine wickets down, few expected the hosts to chase down the total successfully.
Despite the precarious situation, the lower-order batsmen, Shadab Khan at number eight and number eleven batsman Haris Rauf, formed a remarkable partnership. Entering as underdogs, the two batsmen slowly stitched together runs, defying expectations and pushing Pakistan closer to victory.
Record-Breaking Tenth Wicket Stand
While Haris Rauf focused on defending his wicket, Shadab Khan took on the responsibility of scoring most of the runs. As Pakistan remained 21 runs short of the target, Shadab was on the brink of his century when he was given out LBW. However, after reviewing the decision with DRS, he was reprieved as the ball had hit his bat, allowing him to continue.
Shadab seized this chance to complete his first international hundred off 93 balls, eventually scoring 113 runs with 13 boundaries and five sixes. Their partnership of 89 runs off 80 balls between Shadab and Rauf is now the highest tenth wicket partnership in a successful ODI chase, beating the previous record of 65 runs set by Andy Roberts and Derek Murray in a 1975 match against Pakistan.
Haris Rauf’s contribution came in a more reserved fashion, scoring 7 runs from 19 deliveries. Still, his ability to hold the wicket under intense pressure was crucial in allowing Shadab to accumulate the winning runs.
Shadab Khan’s innings was especially historic as he became only the third number eight batsman to score an ODI century, joining the ranks of Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Ireland’s Simi Singh, both of whom scored exactly 100 runs at this position. His innings displayed both resilience and aggression at the lower order.
This match will be remembered not just for the narrow margin but for the remarkable lower-order recovery that led Pakistan to a memorable victory. The combination of Shadab’s batting prowess and Rauf’s steady defense turned the tide in Pakistan’s favor dramatically in the final moments of the game.
The thrilling finish etched new records into cricket history and highlighted the unpredictable excitement of ODI cricket, proving that even when the odds seem stacked against a team, perseverance and teamwork can deliver unforgettable outcomes.
