Thursday Nov 12, 2026
Thursday Nov 12, 2026
Friday, 23 October 2026 02:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
RAWALPINDI: What a game it turned out to be! Chasing 430 was always going to be a monumental task, but Sri Lanka pulled off the unthinkable beating England by two wickets with a ball to spare to register their first win in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium yesterday.
This incredible chase had to rank among the greatest run chases of all time! South Africa’s famous chase of 434 set the benchmark, and now Sri Lanka produced something equally extraordinary - an absolutely phenomenal effort.
Earlier in the day, Harry Brook lit up the contest with the fastest double century in ODI history, powering England to their highest-ever total in the format. But in a remarkable turn of events, Sri Lanka managed to outdo even that extraordinary feat with a sensational run chase.
Avishka Fernando provided the perfect launch pad with a blistering 97 off 83 balls (11 fours, 2 sixes) at the top of the order, and Pavan Rathnayake chipped in with a magnificent century – 130 off 106 balls (15 fours, 3 sixes) to lay the foundation for Sri Lanka’s record run chase. The pair put on 166 off 137 balls for the third wicket after Kamindu Mendis was out for 18 and skipper Kusal Mendis run out at the non-striker’s end without facing a ball.
Dasun Shanaka promoted in the batting to no. 5 hit an explosive 97 off just 50 deliveries (6 fours, 8 sixes) and that truly swung the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favour, turning an already remarkable chase into something truly unbelievable.
Shanaka, like Fernando, fell agonisingly short of a century, but Janith Liyanage rose to the occasion with a career-defining knock (61* off 27 balls, 7 fours, 3 sixes), holding his nerve to steer Sri Lanka home in a thrilling finish in the final over. Josh Tongue’s double strike in the final over briefly threatened to turn the game on its head, but Liyanage held his nerve under immense pressure, delivering when Sri Lanka needed him the most, finishing the match in style with a straight six.
Earlier, England put into bat first hit up a colossal total of 429-4, giving their bowlers a huge cushion to work with. England’s openers laid a solid foundation with an impressive partnership at the top, with Tom Banton scoring a 50 off 51 balls (9 fours). However, it was the crucial stand of 159 off 127 balls between Joe Root and Harry Brook that firmly put England in the driver’s seat.
Brook delivered a breathtaking knock of 202 off 116 balls (21 fours, 10 sixes), tearing into the Sri Lankan attack as the bowlers struggled to find answers to his relentless onslaught. He lit up Rawalpindi with a dazzling array of attacking strokes, keeping the spectators entertained with his explosive shot-making throughout the innings.Brook became the first England batsman to score a double ton in ODIs, and it was also the quickest double ton in ODIs by a batsman off 114 balls beating the previous best off 117 balls by Shubman Gill for India against West Indies at Guwahati this year.
Joe Root (69 off 66 balls, 8 fours) and Will Jacks (66* off 30 balls, 8 fours, 3 sixes) played valuable supporting roles, forging crucial partnerships with their Captain to put England ahead in the contest. Jacks helped Brooks add 185 off 77 balls as England scored 156 off the final 10 overs. Dunith Wellalage managed to pick up a couple of wickets, but the rest of the Sri Lankan attack struggled to contain Brook and company, with most of the bowlers proving costly.
Highest successful run chases in ODIs
