Shadab Khan Scores 97 as Pakistan Beat England by One Wicket

Pakistan produced a remarkable one-wicket victory over England in Lahore on Sunday, with Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf delivering an extraordinary last-wicket partnership to keep the hosts alive. The match appeared to be over when Shadab was given out LBW in the 45th over, but a dramatic Decision Review System (DRS) reversal transformed despair into delight at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Shadab had played a sensational innings and reached 97 when England fast bowler Gus Atkinson struck him on the pads. Initially appearing to accept the decision, the Pakistan all-rounder seemed to believe his opportunity had slipped away. England’s players began shaking hands with him, and broadcasters announced what appeared to be a victory for the visitors.

However, Shadab took a review just in time. The third umpire requested UltraEdge, and the technology revealed a significant spike as the ball passed the bat. The decision was overturned, allowing Pakistan to continue their chase and eventually complete one of their most memorable ODI victories.

Shadab Khan’s LBW Decision Creates Extraordinary DRS Drama

The defining moment came in the second ball of the 45th over, when Atkinson delivered a full, low ball that struck Shadab on the pads. The umpire raised his finger, giving the Pakistan batter out LBW. Shadab, who had scored 97 runs by that stage, reacted with frustration and threw his bat away.

Pakistan needed 21 runs from 35 balls to win, with only one wicket remaining. The last-wicket partnership between Shadab and Rauf had already become the centre of attention, but the LBW decision appeared to bring their remarkable effort to an abrupt end.

England’s players approached Shadab to congratulate him on his innings. Joe Root also shared a brief conversation with the all-rounder, seemingly offering consolation after his outstanding knock. The local broadcasters and stadium announcer had already declared England the winners, with the match appearing to have ended in a 20-run victory for the visitors.

Then came the unexpected twist. Commentators revealed that Shadab had taken a review, prompting the third umpire to examine the delivery more closely. Although the initial replays appeared to support the on-field decision, the review was not complete until the technology had checked whether the ball had made contact with the bat.

UltraEdge Reveals Bat Contact as Lahore Erupts

The third umpire called for UltraEdge, which is used to detect potential contact between the bat and the ball. As the delivery passed Shadab’s bat, the technology registered a substantial spike, indicating that the ball had made contact with the bat before hitting his pads.

The evidence changed everything. The LBW decision was overturned, and Shadab was allowed to continue his innings. The Gaddafi Stadium erupted in celebration, while the commentary box was filled with disbelief at the sudden reversal.

Shadab, who had appeared to be walking away from a heartbreaking defeat, dropped to his knees in relief. A member of the Pakistan team came onto the field carrying a towel as the players and supporters celebrated the reprieve.

The moment demonstrated just how dramatically DRS can influence a cricket match. With Pakistan down to their final wicket and the winning target within reach, a single decision threatened to end the contest. UltraEdge ultimately provided the evidence needed to correct the call and keep the match alive.

Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf Complete an Unforgettable Chase

Surviving the LBW appeal gave Shadab another opportunity to finish the job, and he immediately made the most of it. In Atkinson’s next over, the 47th of the innings, Shadab attacked the England fast bowler and smashed 15 runs, shifting the momentum decisively back towards Pakistan.

The pressure then moved firmly onto England. With the target close and the final pair still together, the visitors needed a breakthrough to prevent a stunning defeat. Instead, Pakistan held their nerve and continued to move towards victory.

Rauf eventually delivered the decisive blow with a boundary off the first ball of the 48th over, taking Pakistan across the finishing line by one wicket. The winning shot triggered wild celebrations at the Gaddafi Stadium, completing an extraordinary turnaround after the hosts had seemed moments away from defeat.

The unbeaten 89-run stand between Shadab and Rauf proved decisive. Their partnership had begun with Pakistan needing 88 runs to win, an enormous task for the final pair. Against the odds, they combined determination and attacking stroke play to take their team to victory.

Shadab’s 97-Run Knock Becomes the Centrepiece of Pakistan’s Win

Shadab’s innings was central to Pakistan’s dramatic finish. Reaching 97 in a high-pressure chase, he had placed his side in a position from which victory was possible, even after the loss of the ninth wicket. His ability to continue after the controversial LBW decision gave Pakistan the chance to complete the job.

The review also highlighted the importance of remaining alert during tense moments. Shadab appeared to accept the umpire’s decision initially, and the opposing players had already begun shaking hands. Taking the review, however, gave the third umpire an opportunity to identify the bat contact that the on-field decision had missed.

For Pakistan, the reversal was more than a technical correction. It preserved their last-wicket partnership and allowed the team to turn what looked like a heartbreaking defeat into a memorable victory in front of their home supporters.

England Suffer Another Heartbreaking Defeat in the Tri-Series

The defeat was another painful result for England in the ongoing tri-series. The team had previously appeared to put itself in a commanding position against Sri Lanka after captain Harry Brook’s double century helped England post a huge total of 429/4.

Despite that imposing score, Sri Lanka successfully chased the target and won by two wickets, producing another unexpected result. England’s defeat to Pakistan followed a similar pattern, with the team coming close to victory before the opposition completed a remarkable comeback.

While the circumstances of the two matches were different, both results underlined the unpredictable nature of limited-overs cricket. A seemingly decisive advantage does not guarantee victory, particularly when opponents have wickets in hand, runs to chase and the opportunity to build a late partnership.

DRS Proves Decisive in a Match Pakistan Will Remember

Pakistan’s one-wicket win will be remembered for the extraordinary final-wicket partnership, Shadab’s crucial innings and the dramatic reversal of the LBW decision. The sequence of events at the Gaddafi Stadium was remarkable: an apparent dismissal, handshakes from England’s players, an announcement of victory for the visitors and then a review that completely changed the outcome.

UltraEdge revealed the vital contact between bat and ball, allowing Shadab to resume his innings. His attacking response in the 47th over and Rauf’s winning boundary in the 48th completed the turnaround and sparked celebrations across the stadium.

For England, the match ended in frustration after victory had appeared within reach. For Pakistan, it became a thrilling example of persistence under pressure and the importance of using the available technology correctly. The DRS reversal did not merely extend the match; it helped pave the way for one of Pakistan’s most dramatic ODI victories.

Conclusion

Pakistan defeated England by one wicket in Lahore after Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf produced an unbeaten 89-run last-wicket stand. Shadab’s dismissal for an apparent LBW in the 45th over seemed to hand England the victory, but his review revealed a spike on UltraEdge, overturning the decision.

Shadab went on to score 15 runs in Atkinson’s next over, before Rauf struck the winning boundary in the 48th. What began as a moment of despair turned into an unforgettable celebration, with DRS playing a crucial role in one of the most dramatic finishes of the tri-series.