The contest produced a significant change in scoring conditions compared to the previous match. After Pakistan were bowled out for just 110 in the last game, both teams combined for 717 runs in Lahore.
England made full use of the batting-friendly conditions and posted a total of 387. Ben Duckett led the charge with 167 runs, providing the foundation for a big score.
Tom Banton also contributed with a half-century, while several other batters made useful starts. Their contributions helped England maintain a steady scoring rate throughout the innings.
Asitha Fernando was among Sri Lanka’s more effective bowlers. However, the rest of the attack struggled to contain England, with every bowler conceding at least six runs per over.
Consequently, England finished with a substantial total that put Sri Lanka under pressure before the chase began in the 6th ODI of tri-series.
Sri Lanka lost an early wicket but responded through an attacking partnership between captain Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando. The pair added 84 runs for the second wicket before Fernando departed.
Mendis continued to build the innings alongside Pavan Rathnayake. Their partnership produced another 80 runs, keeping Sri Lanka in contention.
After Mendis’ dismissal, Rathnayake took responsibility for the chase. He received useful support from Janith Liyanage and Sahan Arachchige as he registered his second consecutive century against England.
However, Sri Lanka continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. With the required rate increasing, Rathnayake eventually fell to Liam Dawson, who was bowling his final over.
The dismissal left Sri Lanka with too much to do. Although Rathnayake had kept their hopes alive, the lower order could not complete the chase.
England had entered the match following three consecutive defeats and needed a response. Although their bowlers faced another demanding assignment, Liam Dawson delivered an important performance.
Sonny Baker provided an early breakthrough before Dawson broke the developing partnership between Mendis and Fernando. He then removed Dasun Shanaka and Rathnayake, two batters who had played important roles in Sri Lanka’s previous meeting with England.
Dawson’s wickets disrupted Sri Lanka’s progress and helped England maintain control during the closing stages.
England still have areas to address in their bowling and fielding. Nevertheless, Dawson’s contribution proved decisive in securing the victory.
England secured a win in the 6th ODI of tri-series a high-scoring contest against Sri Lanka. Despite their elimination from the race for the final, the victory gave them a positive finish and an opportunity to build momentum.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will now shift their focus to the final against Pakistan, scheduled to take place in a couple of days. Their batting performance provided several positives, but the bowling unit will need to improve after conceding 387 runs.
With the final approaching, Sri Lanka will look to address those concerns before facing Pakistan for the title.
