Shadab Khan's incredible heroics rescue Pakistan as England fail again

England snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as they conceded the highest tenth-wicket stand in a chase in ODI history, with a brilliant century from chief destroyer Khan proving the thorn in their side.

Chasing a below-par 241, Pakistan spluttered and faltered. When talisman Babar Azam was castled through the gate by Gus Atkinson, they were under pressure at 31/3. Together with spinner Jamie Overton, they controlled the middle overs as well. Overton's regular wickets - he finished with 3/43 - seemed to be marching England to a comfortable victory.

And when Will Jacks bowled Razaullah, Pakistan were 154/9 needing 88 to win. Cometh the hour, cometh Shadab. The required run rate was always under control and the No.8 began to pick off a boundary an over, while a stoic Haris Rauf blocked at the other end.

As the runs needed dwindled, Shadab's confidence grew. He carved Dawson ino the stands, gave Sam Curran a short-arm jab for another and even whipped out the slog-sweep to dispatch Atkinson. There was a moment when England thought they had wrapped it up when Shadab was trapped in front and given out, but a review revealed the slightest of inside edges and he was saved.

While Shadab reached his maiden century and carried the load of the undefeated 89 partnership, it was Rauf who hit the winning runs, driving debutant Henry Crocombe down the ground for an incredible victory.

England's loss comes just three days after they failed to defend 430 against an inspired Sri Lankan outfit, while Pakistan's victory booked them a place in the Tr-Series final.

Earlier, England found themselves in deep trouble after being put into bat first. Paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi was in fine form, charging in and taking the fist two wickets thanks to some solid catching from his teammates.

Tom Banton (4) and Joe Root (5) were back in the shed after just 17 balls and when the red-hot Harry Brook was run out in the fifth over, the hosts were well on top with England 19/3.

Jordan Cox and Ben Duckett (105) began the patch-up job, but the former fell to some guile from Haris Rauf. Duckett was forced to double down, and he and Curran combined to rescue the innings.

Job done at 145/4 in the 27th, England were looking to up the tempo. But again, a flurry of wickets set them back. They would lose 4/42 over the next ten overs. Afridi's bouncer broke the 93-run stand, getting rid of Sam Curran who couldn't handle the bounce.

Tailender Atkinson was not one to die wondering and teed off, striking three sixes in his cameo of 36 from 28 while others fell around him - including centurion Duckett - to take the visitors to 241 all out. 

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