Image source, ReutersHaris Rauf (back) and Shadab Khan (front) shared a record 10th-wicket partnership to defeat England
One-day international tri-series, Lahore
England 241 (46.4 overs): Duckett 105 (111), Shaheen 4-46
Pakistan 243-9 (47.1 overs): Shadab 113* (96), Overton 3-43
England somehow lost another one-day international from a seemingly unbeatable position thanks to an improbable last-wicket stand by Pakistan in Lahore.
Three days after conceding 430 to lose to Sri Lanka, Harry Brook’s side were beaten despite reducing Pakistan to 154-9 in pursuit of 242.
Shadab Khan was the engineer of Pakistan’s unlikely win, striking a quite brilliant unbeaten 113 – the highest score by a number eight in an ODI.
He was supported by Haris Rauf, Pakistan’s number 11 contributing seven to the unbroken 10th-wicket partnership of 89 – comfortably a new record for a last-wicket pair to win an ODI.
In barely believable scenes, Shadab was given out lbw to Gus Atkinson on 97, with 21 runs still required.
The players shook hands before Shadab called for a speculative review. DRS found a tiny inside edge and, reprieved, he watched Rauf belt debutant Henry Crocombe down the ground for the winning boundary with 17 balls to spare.
It means England are all but out of the tri-series – their exit will be confirmed if Sri Lanka beat Pakistan on Tuesday.
A second implosion in as many matches is hugely concerning for England, who looked to be on course for victory despite being bowled out for only 241.
Ben Duckett made a fine 105 – only the opener, Sam Curran and Gus Atkinson passing 20 in blameless conditions.
Nevertheless, England were well on course thanks to a collectively relentless display from their bowlers. Jamie Overton bowled his 10 overs in one spell for 3-43.
Then came Shadab and another baffling defeat for England, who could be out before they play their final game against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Tournament experience teaching England to lose
With less than a year to go to the World Cup, this tri-series was designed to give England experience of the pressure and permutations of tournament play.
In a matter of days, they have gone through two extreme situations, both ending in crushing defeats. What linked both matches was England’s powerlessness to salvage the situation once the momentum turned against them.
If anything, the finish to this match was more dramatic than Sri Lanka pulling off the second-highest chase in ODI history.
Even Shadab was convinced he was out when he was hit on the shin by Atkinson’s low full toss – he called for the hopeful review as he was walking off the field. When it came back in his favour, he put his head in his hands and was embraced by Rauf.
In the heat of the tight finish, Rauf had to be pulled away from a confrontation with England’s Will Jacks when a Sam Curran bouncer was not called wide, while Rauf could also have been run out by Tom Banton’s flick from mid-on when 18 were still required.
Shadab expertly farmed the strike – Rauf faced only 19 deliveries in a stand that lasted 80 balls.
Rauf defended his first 18 balls then cut loose to his 19th, hammering Crocombe for four then running away and throwing his bat in the air to begin the joyous celebrations.
What must England do to win?
What must England do to win a match in this tri-series? They have lost all three of their matches, the past two in extraordinary circumstances.
Yes, England are without key players Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell on this tour, while Adil Rashid has been omitted from the XI and Josh Tongue missed out with a toe injury.
Still, what they are learning is they do not respond well in tight situations. On Thursday, the batters broke records, only to be let down by the bowlers. On Sunday, the bowlers were on course to mask the deficiencies of the batters, then wilted when it mattered.
This loss means encouraging performances from Duckett and Overton will be forgotten. For Duckett, this was a much-needed score at time when questions have been asked about his position. Overton was superb, the first England seamer to bowl 10 consecutive overs in an ODI since 2017.
But, when England needed inspiration to take the last wicket, they were found wanting. Maybe the pace of Archer or Tongue, or mystery of Rashid would have made the difference.
They crowded the bat for Rauf, tried to defend against Shadab and held countless meetings. Heads dropped, plans failed and England were not good enough.
Super Shadab wins it for Pakistan
To focus only on England does a disservice to Shadab, who played a knock for the ages, one of the greatest by a Pakistan batter in an ODI.
The all-rounder had been left out of the first two matches of this series. After bowling seven overs with his leg-spin, he arrived to bat when his team were in disarray at 103-6, then left as a hero.
Shadab was unflappable in the face of such a monumental task, supported by the fiery Rauf. In a 96-ball stay, Shadab expertly picked his moments to attack, pouncing when England erred. He hit five sixes and 13 fours.
Rauf batted for 70 minutes, more than two times his previous longest stay in an ODI. Only once before had he faced more deliveries.
As tension rose, so did the tempers – Joe Root had to step in to guide Rauf away from Jacks.
Rauf had the last word, but this will be remembered as Shadab’s match.
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