Haris Rauf, Will Jacks involved in heated exchange during Pakistan’s thrilling win vs England

Pakistan Beat England by One Wicket After Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf’s Record Stand

Pakistan produced a remarkable last-wicket comeback to defeat England by one wicket in their ODI tri-series match in Lahore on Sunday, October 25. Shadab Khan’s maiden one-day international century and an unbeaten partnership with fast bowler Haris Rauf turned a near-certain defeat into a dramatic victory—and secured Pakistan’s place in the final.

The match also featured a tense exchange between Rauf and England all-rounder Will Jacks. The on-field umpire and Joe Root stepped in to calm the players, with the confrontation briefly resurfacing during the post-match handshakes.

Shadab and Rauf Rescue Pakistan’s Chase

Chasing England’s target of 242, Pakistan lost wickets steadily and slipped to 154 for nine. With only one batter left, the hosts appeared to be heading for defeat. Shadab, however, held his nerve, while Rauf offered crucial support at the other end.

The pair added an unbeaten 89 runs for the tenth wicket, setting a record for the highest last-wicket partnership in a successful men’s ODI run-chase. Their stand surpassed the previous mark of 64, set by West Indies’ Deryck Murray and Andy Roberts against Pakistan in 1975.

Shadab finished on 113 not out from 96 balls, striking 12 fours and five sixes. Rauf contributed seven from 19 deliveries, but his most important contribution came at the end: he hit the boundary that carried Pakistan to 243 for nine in 47.1 overs and completed the one-wicket win.

The result offered a striking example of how quickly an ODI can change. England had controlled much of the chase, but Shadab’s composure and Rauf’s support kept Pakistan’s hopes alive until the final stages.

Haris Rauf and Will Jacks Clash During Pakistan vs England ODI

The heated exchange occurred on the final delivery of the 46th over. Sam Curran bowled a high bouncer to Shadab, who was batting on 99 from 90 balls. Shadab appealed to the square-leg umpire for a wide, but the official did not call it.

Rauf, waiting at the non-striker’s end, then became involved in a verbal exchange with Jacks, who was fielding nearby. Rauf pointed his bat towards the England player and moved towards him, prompting the umpire to step between the two men.

Root helped defuse the situation, guiding Rauf away before the argument could escalate. Tension remained visible after the match, however, as Rauf and Jacks were seen exchanging words again during the customary handshakes.

The incident added an emotional edge to an already dramatic finish. Yet the defining story of the match was Pakistan’s recovery: the home side had to manage pressure, a steep climb in the required runs and the risk of losing its final wicket with the target still out of reach.

Crucial Review Keeps Shadab at the Crease

Pakistan’s escape came close to ending in the 45th over. Gus Atkinson struck Shadab on the pads, and the umpire raised his finger. England celebrated, while Shadab initially began walking back, believing he had been dismissed.

Rauf urged his partner to review the decision. Replays showed an inside edge before the ball hit Shadab’s pad, and the third umpire overturned the call. The review proved pivotal: Shadab remained at the crease and went on to complete his century and guide Pakistan home.

Speaking to PCB Digital after the game, Shadab said he had not realised he had edged the ball. He credited Rauf for encouraging him to challenge the decision and said he was pleased to repay the confidence shown in him by the selectors and team management.

That moment also highlighted the value of clear communication between partners under pressure. With Pakistan’s innings down to its final wicket, Rauf’s conviction gave Shadab another chance—and the batter made the most of it.

England Set a Target of 242

England were bowled out for 241 in 46.4 overs after choosing to build their innings around Ben Duckett. The left-hander made 105 from 111 balls, providing the innings’ strongest foundation. Sam Curran added 42, while Gus Atkinson remained unbeaten on 36 to help England post a competitive total.

Pakistan’s leading bowler was Shaheen Shah Afridi, who claimed four wickets for 46 runs. His spell helped prevent England from converting Duckett’s century into a substantially larger score.

Pakistan’s reply began poorly. Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam both scored 10, while Saim Ayub made six. England took advantage of the early breakthroughs, with Jamie Overton returning figures of three for 43 as the hosts fell to 154 for nine.

At that point, England appeared firmly in control. But Shadab and Rauf changed the match with a partnership that combined careful defence, timely scoring and the ability to capitalise on scoring opportunities. Rauf’s winning boundary completed one of the most memorable finishes of the tri-series.

What the Result Means for the Tri-Series

Pakistan’s victory confirmed their place in the final and gave the team a significant boost after a chase that tested its batting depth and composure. For England, the defeat marked a third consecutive loss in the competition, despite Duckett’s century and a strong position late in Pakistan’s innings.

Looking ahead, the match offers an intriguing prediction for the final: Pakistan will arrive with confidence in its ability to recover under pressure, while opponents will know that dismissing the top order may not be enough to secure a win. Shadab’s form and Rauf’s determination could be important factors, although Pakistan will also want a more stable start to avoid relying on another last-wicket rescue.

For England, the immediate challenge is to turn promising individual performances into a more complete team result. Their bowlers had Pakistan nine down, but could not close out the chase. In a short-format tournament, that missed opportunity may prove as significant as the defeat itself.