England lose to Pakistan after improbable last-wicket stand

England fell to yet another baffling one-day international defeat from a commanding position, as Pakistan engineered an improbable last-wicket rescue mission in Lahore on 25 October 2026. Just three days after conceding 430 runs against Sri Lanka, Harry Brook's side were beaten despite reducing Pakistan to 154-9 while chasing a target of 242.

Shadab Khan was the primary architect of the historic win, delivering a brilliant, unbeaten 113—the highest individual score ever recorded by a number eight batsman in an ODI. He found crucial support from number 11 batsman Haris Rauf, who contributed seven runs to an unbroken 10th-wicket partnership of 89 runs.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

In scarcely believable scenes, Shadab was initially given out lbw to Gus Atkinson on 97 with 21 runs still required for victory. As he walked off, he opted for a speculative review which revealed a microscopic inside edge, allowing him to stay at the crease and watch Rauf hit the winning boundary off debutant Henry Crocombe.

The consecutive collapses serve as a major warning sign for England with less than a year remaining before the World Cup. Designed to test the squad under pressure, the tri-series has instead exposed their inability to regain control once momentum shifts away from them during tight tournament scenarios.