Social media was awash with praise on Sunday after Shadab Khan struck an unbeaten century to steer Pakistan to a dramatic one-wicket victory over England in the fourth match of the One-day International tri-series at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Chasing 242, Pakistan were in deep trouble at 154-9 before Shadab’s 113 not out off 96 balls, featuring 13 fours and five sixes, and an unbroken 89-run partnership with Haris Rauf turned the match on its head. The victory secured Pakistan’s place in the tri-series final and set a record for the highest 10th-wicket partnership in a successful ODI chase.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led the congratulatory messages, praising the team’s resilience and Shadab’s decisive contribution.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) celebrated the all-rounder’s performance in a series of posts, hailing him as a superstar and describing the result as a remarkable comeback.
In another post, the board wrote: “THE MOST STAGGERING COMEBACK YOU WILL EVER SEE!”
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar also joined the celebrations, highlighting the decisive last-wicket stand.
“A thriller beyond imagination,” he wrote about the game.
Former Pakistan opener Ahmad Shahzad praised Shadab’s composure under pressure but cautioned that the team’s batting remained a concern.
“What a turnaround, a VICTORY!! Shadab Khan deserves credit for his maiden international century, showing composure and responsibility under pressure. Haris Rauf stood firm alongside him as the last wicket pair carried Pakistan over the line.”
The International Cricket Council (ICC) highlighted the significance of the innings, posting: “A monumental hundred under pressure from Shadab Khan sends Pakistan into the ODI tri-series final.”
In a separate message, the ICC wrote: “Pakistan pull victory from the jaws of defeat against England thanks to Shadab Khan’s sensational hundred.”
Cricket publication Wisden Cricket also celebrated the achievement, describing Shadab’s knock as an innings to remember.
“The highest score by a No.8 in ODI history: Shadab Khan. A maiden international century that nobody, and certainly not England, will ever forget!”
Journalist and former PCB director Umar Farooq Kalson drew a comparison with another Abdul Razzaq’s 109 against South Africa in Abu Dhabi in 2010.
“Two of the greatest and unreal ODI innings in a winning cause.”
Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators, along with Desert Vipers, also congratulated Shadab.
Quetta summed up the dramatic finish in a post: “One man. One heroic century. One unforgettable finish!”
Fans and commentators repeatedly described the match as one of the great ODI heists, with particular praise for Shadab’s ability to remain composed as wickets fell around him. His survival of a review on 97 added another twist to an already extraordinary finish.
The 89-run stand with Haris proved decisive. Shadab supplied the bulk of the runs while Haris, who had managed just three when the partnership began, held his end before striking the boundary that sealed the win.
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