Sri Lanka produced a sensational run chase in 3rd ODI to defeat England in one of the most thrilling contests of tri-series. Despite England piling up a massive 429 runs, the hosts found a way to turn the match around and secure a memorable victory.
Harry Brook’s historic double century powered England to a record total. However, Sri Lanka responded with remarkable determination. Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka and Janith Liyanage led the charge as the hosts completed an extraordinary chase.
The result earned Sri Lanka two valuable points in the series. Meanwhile, England were left to regret a missed opportunity after setting such a formidable target.
England’s batters dominated the first innings and posted the highest ODI total ever recorded in Pakistan. Captain Harry Brook led the charge with a magnificent double century, which also became the fastest double hundred in ODI cricket.
Joe Root provided excellent support with 69 runs. The pair added 159 runs together and kept the scoring rate high.
Earlier, Tom Banton contributed a valuable half-century at the top of the order. Will Jacks then delivered a powerful finish, smashing 66 runs from just 30 deliveries.
Sri Lanka struggled to contain England’s aggressive approach. Dunith Wellalage claimed two wickets, while Asitha Fernando and Janith Liyanage took one each. However, the bowlers could not prevent England from reaching a huge total of 429.
Chasing such a daunting target, Sri Lanka suffered an early setback in the 3rd ODI of tri-series versus England. Captain Kamindu Mendis fell for a golden duck, leaving the hosts under immediate pressure.
England’s bowlers looked in control during the opening stages. Nevertheless, Avishka Fernando remained composed and kept the scoreboard moving with timely boundaries and clever running between the wickets.
He then joined forces with Pavan Rathnayake. The pair built a remarkable 166-run partnership that brought Sri Lanka back into contention.
Fernando played with confidence but narrowly missed his century, departing on 97. His innings gave the chase a strong foundation and left Rathnayake with the responsibility of carrying the fight forward.
Rathnayake continued his outstanding innings as Sri Lanka increased the pressure on England. Dasun Shanaka’s promotion up the batting order also proved decisive.
The two batters launched a fierce counterattack and added 133 runs from only 79 deliveries. Their partnership transformed the contest and brought Sri Lanka within reach of the target.
Rathnayake completed a superb century but fell shortly after the start of the final Powerplay. Shanaka then took charge of the chase and continued attacking the English bowlers.
He came agonisingly close to a hundred before departing for 97. However, Janith Liyanage maintained the momentum with an unbeaten 61 from just 27 balls.
Dunith Wellalage and Sahan Arachchige also contributed important runs during the closing stages. Sri Lanka kept their composure despite the mounting pressure and moved closer to a remarkable victory.
England briefly threatened to pull off a late comeback in the 3rd ODI of tri-series against Sri Lanka. Josh Tongue dismissed Kamindu Mendis early, while Gus Atkinson ran out the Sri Lankan captain at the non-striker’s end.
Jamie Overton and Sam Curran also struck at important moments. However, Shanaka and Liyanage ensured England could not regain control.
With 13 runs needed from the final two overs, Overton delivered a tight penultimate over and conceded only five runs.
Tongue then began the final over impressively. He gave away just one run from the first three deliveries and removed two batters in consecutive balls.
Yet Liyanage kept his nerve. He regained the strike on the fourth delivery and finished the contest with a towering six off the next ball, sealing a stunning victory for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s triumph underlined their fighting spirit and ability to handle pressure. They recovered from an early collapse, built crucial partnerships and maintained their attacking approach against England’s huge total.
The result also placed Sri Lanka among the select teams to have successfully chased more than 400 runs in an ODI, joining South Africa and India.
England, by contrast, will be disappointed after scoring 429 but failing to defend it. Their batting performance was exceptional, yet their bowling attack could not stop Sri Lanka’s remarkable comeback.
Ultimately, Sri Lanka claimed two crucial points in the series. Their extraordinary chase turned a seemingly impossible task into a famous victory.
