The China Mail - Shadab ton stuns England as Pakistan reach tri-series final

Defending a modest 242-run target, England were on the cusp of victory with the home team reduced to 154-9, but Shadab's unbeaten 113 condemned Harry Brook's side to a third defeat in five days in the series, which also involves Sri Lanka.

England, who failed to defend a 430-run target against Sri Lanka on Thursday, were left stunned as number 11 Haris Rauf cracked the winning boundary with 17 balls to spare, sparking huge celebrations in the Pakistan dug-out.

Haris, who scored an unbeaten seven, ably played his part in a match-winning 89-run partnership with Shadab for the last wicket.

Shadab, who cracked five sixes and 13 boundaries, was lucky to survive a leg-before decision off Gus Atkinson with 20 needed. But while trudging off distraught, he took a review which overturned the decision.

Restored to the crease, the 28-year-old guided Pakistan to victory and a spot in next Saturday's final.

Pakistan had lost opener Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam for 10 each and Saim Ayub for six in a poor start before Saad Baig (32) and Salman Agha (26) briefly revived the innings. Match-winner Shadab then entered the fray in the 24th over with Pakistan on 103-6.

- The Shaheen show -

Defeat means England's chances of reaching a place in the October 31 final hang in the balance as they need Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday and then win themselves against the island nation on Thursday.

Earlier, England's 241 all out was aided by a century by opener Ben Duckett, who anchored the innings with 105.

Duckett's knock and Sam Curran's 42 during a 93-run fifth-wicket stand revived England from a precarious position of 19-3.

Atkinson contributed an unbeaten 36 at the bottom of the order.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed 4-46, while Razaullah took 2-38 on his ODI debut as England were bowled out in 46.4 overs.

Duckett hit 10 fours and two sixes before falling to spinner Arafat Minhas, who finished with 2-26.

Opting to bowl first, Pakistan skipper Shaheen removed Tom Banton for four in the opening over -- his 150th ODI wicket.

The lanky left-armer is the 13th bowler from Pakistan to take 150 or more wickets.

In his next over, Shaheen got the prized wicket of Joe Root for five, caught cutting a short delivery.

England plunged into further trouble when Harry Brook -- who scored the fastest-ever ODI double century in his team's shock defeat to Sri Lanka -- was run out for one.

Duckett's fifth ODI hundred and Curran's resolute batting briefly steadied England before Shaheen took two more wickets to end the innings.

D.Wang--ThChM