Lahore, Oct 26 (V7N)- Pakistan pulled off a remarkable one-wicket victory over England at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with Shadab Khan scoring an unbeaten 113 to rescue his side from the brink of defeat and secure a place in the final of the tri-nation series.

Chasing a target of 242, Pakistan were struggling at 154 for nine wickets before Shadab and Haris Rauf combined for a record-breaking 89-run partnership for the final wicket to complete an extraordinary comeback.

Batting at number eight, Shadab struck his maiden ODI century in a Pakistan shirt, finishing unbeaten on 113. His innings proved decisive after England had reduced the hosts to what appeared to be an almost impossible position.

Shadab also survived a tense moment when he was given out leg-before-wicket on 97. He reviewed the decision and was reprieved after the UltraEdge technology detected a spike, allowing him to continue his match-winning innings.

With Pakistan needing 21 runs to win at that stage, Shadab moved closer to his century while keeping the chase alive. A six off the final delivery of Gus Atkinson’s over reduced the target to three runs from 18 balls. Shadab then reached his hundred with a boundary as the dramatic finish unfolded.

Haris Rauf, unbeaten on seven, sealed the victory by hitting England pacer Henry Crocombe for four in the following over.

The 89-run stand between Shadab and Haris was described in the supplied match report as the highest 10th-wicket partnership in a successful ODI run chase, surpassing the previous record of 64 runs set by West Indies’ Deryck Murray and Andy Roberts against Pakistan during the 1975 World Cup.

Earlier, England posted 241 after being put in to bat. Ben Duckett top-scored with 105 off 111 deliveries, but the visitors struggled to build enough momentum against Pakistan’s bowling attack.

Shaheen Shah Afridi led the hosts’ bowling effort, taking four wickets for 46 runs. England also suffered an early setback when Harry Brook, who had scored a double century in the previous match according to the supplied report, was dismissed for one.

The defeat left England facing elimination from the tri-nation series after losing all three of their matches, while Pakistan secured their place in the final with a third consecutive victory.

END/SMA/AJ