Sri Lanka scripted history with a record-breaking run chase against England to register their first win in the ODI Tri-Series 2026 in Pakistan, pulling off the highest successful chase in their ODI history and the second-highest successful run chase in men’s ODI cricket.
Having won the toss, Sri Lankan skipper Kusal Mendis elected to bowl first, making one change to the playing XI as Dunith Wellalage replaced Sachindu Colombage. England made full use of the batting-friendly conditions, piling up a mammoth 429/4 in their allotted 50 overs, led by a sensational double century from captain Harry Brook.
Brook produced a breathtaking innings of 202 runs off just 116 deliveries, striking 21 fours and 10 sixes. He became the first England batter to score a double century in ODIs and registered the fastest double century in the format’s history. Wellalage was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, claiming 2 wickets for 56 runs in his 10 overs.
Sri Lanka’s decision to rely on four specialist bowlers once again came under scrutiny, as the remaining 10 overs shared by all-rounders Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis cost a combined 123 runs, allowing England to post a daunting target.
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In reply, Sri Lanka suffered an early setback, losing two wickets for just 24 runs, including the dismissal of captain Kusal Mendis. However, Avishka Fernando and Pavan Rathnayake launched a remarkable recovery, putting together a 166-run partnership off 137 deliveries for the third wicket.
Fernando looked set for a century before falling agonizingly short on 97, but Rathnayake continued to attack the England bowling attack. He found another outstanding partner in Shanaka, with the pair adding 133 runs off just 79 balls for the fourth wicket to keep Sri Lanka firmly in the contest.
Rathnayake brought up his second ODI century, scoring a superb 130 off 106 balls, including 15 fours and 3 sixes. Shanaka was equally destructive, striking 97 runs before also falling just three runs short of a century.
With the required rate climbing and the pressure mounting, Janith Liyanage stepped up with what could prove to be the most important innings of his career. Showing remarkable composure in the closing stages, he struck an unbeaten 61 off just 27 deliveries, including 7 fours and 3 sixes, at a stunning strike rate of 225.93.
Liyanage’s explosive late assault proved decisive as Sri Lanka completed a remarkable chase in the final over, sealing a memorable victory after being set a target of 430.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Banton | c Janith Liyanage b Dunith Wellalage | 50 | 51 | 9 | 0 | 98.04 |
| Ben Duckett | lbw b Dunith Wellalage | 29 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 74.36 |
| Joe Root | c Dunith Wellalage b Asitha Fernando | 69 | 66 | 8 | 0 | 104.55 |
| Harry Brook | c Sahan Arachchige b Janith Liyanage | 202 | 116 | 21 | 10 | 174.14 |
| Will Jacks | not out | 66 | 30 | 8 | 3 | 220.00 |
| Extras | 13 (b 1 , lb 1 , nb 2, w 9, pen 0) |
| Total | 429/4 (50 Overs, RR: 8.58) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asitha Fernando | 10 | 1 | 68 | 1 | 6.80 | |
| Dilshan Madusanka | 10 | 0 | 89 | 0 | 8.90 | |
| Eshan Malinga | 10 | 0 | 91 | 0 | 9.10 | |
| Dunith Wellalage | 10 | 0 | 56 | 2 | 5.60 | |
| Dasun Shanaka | 6 | 0 | 74 | 0 | 12.33 | |
| Kamindu Mendis | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 8.50 | |
| Janith Liyanage | 2 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 16.00 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamindu Mendis | b Josh Tongue | 18 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 112.50 |
| Avishka Fernando | c & b Jamie Overton | 97 | 83 | 11 | 2 | 116.87 |
| Kusal Mendis | run out (Gus Atkinson) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Pavan Rathnayake | c Tom Banton b Sam Curran | 130 | 106 | 15 | 3 | 122.64 |
| Dasun Shanaka | c Tom Banton b Liam Dawson | 97 | 50 | 6 | 8 | 194.00 |
| Janith Liyanage | not out | 61 | 27 | 7 | 3 | 225.93 |
| Sahan Arachchige | c Will Jacks b Sam Curran | 13 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 162.50 |
| Dunith Wellalage | b Josh Tongue | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 114.29 |
| Eshan Malinga | b Josh Tongue | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Asitha Fernando | not out | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 5 (b 1 , lb 1 , nb 0, w 3, pen 0) |
| Total | 430/8 (49.5 Overs, RR: 8.63) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gus Atkinson | 7 | 0 | 57 | 0 | 8.14 | |
| Josh Tongue | 8.5 | 1 | 79 | 3 | 9.29 | |
| Jamie Overton | 10 | 0 | 77 | 1 | 7.70 | |
| Liam Dawson | 10 | 0 | 71 | 1 | 7.10 | |
| Sam Curran | 9 | 0 | 103 | 2 | 11.44 | |
| Will Jacks | 5 | 0 | 49 | 0 | 9.80 | |
