Pakistan’s dramatic one-wicket victory over England in the fourth match of the ODI tri-series at Gaddafi Stadium has drawn praise from some of the biggest names in world cricket, with Shadab Khan’s maiden ODI century earning particular attention. The win, sealed in nail-biting fashion, booked Pakistan’s place in the tri-series final and immediately became one of the most talked-about finishes of the season.
Among those to applaud the comeback were former West Indies captain and current head coach Daren Sammy, former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, West Indies batter Shai Hope and respected commentator Ian Bishop. Sammy summed up the mood of millions of fans with a short message on social media, writing simply, “Wow.. another thriller.” It was the kind of reaction that captures what made the game special: a contest that swung back and forth until the very last moments, with Pakistan somehow finding a way over the line.
The praise matters because it underlines just how remarkable the chase was. Shadab’s first ODI hundred anchored the effort, and the fact that Pakistan got home with only one wicket in hand tells its own story of tension and nerve. Wins like this do more than add points to a table. They build belief inside a dressing room, they give fans a memory to hold on to, and they remind opponents that this Pakistan side cannot be written off, however difficult the position looks.
Attention now turns to the final, where Pakistan will carry both the confidence of this escape and the knowledge that they have already beaten strong opposition under pressure. If the reaction of the game’s greats is anything to go by, the rest of the cricket world will be watching closely.
