Sri Lanka Pull Off Record-Breaking Chase to Beat England in 859-Run Thriller

RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka produced a remarkable batting display to overcome England by two wickets in a sensational high-scoring encounter at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Pavan Rathnayake led the charge with a magnificent century, while Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka narrowly missed out on hundreds as Sri Lanka chased down a massive target of 430 in the third match of the Pakistan-hosted ODI tri-series.

Sri Lanka reached 430/8 in 49.5 overs, completing the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history and bringing an extraordinary contest to a thrilling conclusion with just one ball remaining.

The chase began poorly for Sri Lanka, who lost Kamindu Mendis for 18 and captain Kusal Mendis for a duck within the first five overs. With only 24 runs on the scoreboard, the visitors needed a substantial recovery to stay in contention.

Rathnayake and Fernando responded with an outstanding counterattacking partnership. The pair added 166 runs for the third wicket from just 137 balls, shifting the momentum firmly in Sri Lanka’s favour. Both batters reached their half-centuries before England finally separated them in the 28th over, when Jamie Overton dismissed Fernando for 97. His 83-ball innings included 11 fours and two sixes.

Shanaka then joined Rathnayake and continued the assault on England’s bowlers. Their fourth-wicket stand yielded 133 runs, putting Sri Lanka within reach of the target while Rathnayake completed his second ODI hundred.

Sam Curran eventually removed Rathnayake in the 41st over, ending a superb innings of 130 from 106 deliveries. The opener struck 15 fours and three sixes to keep Sri Lanka firmly in the contest.

Shanaka maintained the pressure alongside Janith Liyanage, contributing to a 40-run partnership for the fifth wicket. His explosive innings ended agonisingly close to a maiden ODI century when Liam Dawson dismissed him for 97 off only 50 balls. Shanaka’s knock featured six fours and eight sixes.

With the required runs still to be scored, Liyanage took responsibility in the closing stages and delivered a decisive finish. He remained unbeaten on 61 from just 27 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes, as Sri Lanka completed the historic chase on the penultimate delivery.

For England, Josh Tongue claimed three wickets for 79 runs in 8.5 overs. Curran picked up two wickets, while Overton and Dawson took one each.

Earlier, England had piled up 429/4 after being asked to bat first, setting a new record for the highest ODI total in Pakistan. The previous benchmark was Pakistan’s 375/3 against Zimbabwe in 2015.

Openers Tom Banton and Ben Duckett provided England with a rapid start, putting together 74 runs before left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage dismissed both batters in successive overs. Banton scored 51 from 50 balls, including nine fours, while Duckett made 29 off 39 deliveries.

England captain Harry Brook then combined with Joe Root to establish control through a third-wicket partnership worth 159 runs. Both batters registered half-centuries before Asitha Fernando ended their stand in the 38th over, dismissing Root for 69 off 66 balls, an innings containing eight boundaries.

Brook subsequently accelerated the scoring alongside Will Jacks, and the pair tore into Sri Lanka’s bowling attack during the closing overs. Their fourth-wicket partnership produced 185 runs from just 77 deliveries, propelling England beyond the 400-run mark.

The stand ended on the final ball of the innings when Janith Liyanage dismissed Brook, who had delivered a stunning 202 from 116 balls. His innings included 21 fours and 10 sixes. Jacks provided an equally valuable finishing contribution, smashing an unbeaten 60 off 33 deliveries with eight fours and three sixes.

Wellalage was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler, finishing with two wickets for 56 runs from his 10 overs. Asitha Fernando and Liyanage claimed one wicket apiece.

England’s record-breaking total ultimately proved insufficient as Sri Lanka’s remarkable response turned the contest into one of the most memorable run chases in ODI cricket.