Shadab Khan Hits Ton as Pakistan Edge England, Enter Final

Pakistan have stormed into the final of the ODI tri-series after defeating England by one wicket at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday. The victory in the fourth match of the tournament was built on a remarkable late partnership between Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf.

At 154 for nine, the hosts looked set to lose. Shadab, batting at number eight, then produced an unbeaten century that carried Pakistan to a dramatic win. Together with Rauf, who remained unbeaten on seven, he added 89 runs for the tenth wicket in 80 balls. This is the highest tenth-wicket partnership in a successful ODI chase.

Pakistan have won their first three matches and are assured of a place in the final. Sri Lanka have won one of their two games and occupy second place on the points table. England have lost three straight matches and are third. They face Sri Lanka on October 29, and Sri Lanka have two games remaining. The final will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium on October 31.

Batting first after losing the toss, England were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs. They slipped to 19 for three before Jordan Cox and Ben Duckett added 33 runs for the fourth wicket, reaching 52. Cox was out for six, hitting one four.

Duckett then put on 93 runs for the fifth wicket with Sam Curran, taking England to 145. He added 30 runs with Will Jacks, who made 13.

Duckett was out for 105 from 111 balls, including two sixes and ten fours. Curran made 42 from 52 balls, hitting five fours. Gus Atkinson, unbeaten on 36, and Henry Crocombe, who scored 8, added 40 runs for the last wicket to give England a competitive total.

Captain Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, taking four wickets for 46 runs. Rizwanullah and Arafat Minhas each took two wickets, and Haris Rauf took one.

Pakistan lost three wickets for 31 in the early overs of their chase. Salman Agha, who scored 26, rebuilt the innings with Saad Baig, who made 32, adding 43 runs for the fourth wicket. He then added 28 runs for the fifth wicket with Hasan Nawaz, who made 15. These partnerships pushed the total past 100.

With Pakistan at 154 for nine, England seemed certain to win comfortably. Shadab Khan had other ideas. His 96-ball innings of 113 not out included five sixes and thirteen fours, and it turned the contest in Pakistan's favour.

Jamie Overton was England's most effective bowler with three wickets. Gus Atkinson and Liam Dawson each took two, while Henry Crocombe and Will Jacks took one wicket apiece.