Sri Lanka stun England with 2nd-highest ODI chase, overhaul 330-run target to spoil Brook's double ton

In one of the most astonishing encounters ever witnessed in one-day international cricket, Sri Lanka pulled off an unbelievable two-wicket victory over England at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series.

Sri Lanka script second-highest ODI chase against England

Chasing a monumental target of 430, set by an unforgettable, record-breaking 202 from England captain Harry Brook, Sri Lankans mounted a fearless, history-making chase. Sealed by a nerve-shredding six off the penultimate ball by Janith Liyanage, Sri Lanka registered the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history (430/8 in 49.5 overs), falling just short of South Africa’s legendary 438-run pursuit against Australia in Johannesburg in 2006.

Harry Brook’s historic double ton assault in vain

Opting to field first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis soon found himself on the receiving end of a historic batting exhibition. England skipper Harry Brook put on a masterclass of white-ball hitting, becoming the first England batter to record an ODI double century. Brook reached his double hundred in just 114 deliveries, breaking the record for the fastest double century in ODI history. His explosive 202 off 116 balls featured 21 boundaries and 10 colossal sixes. Supported by a composed 69 from Joe Root and a late-overs blitz by Will Jacks (66 not out off 30 balls), England accumulated an enormous total of 429/4, their fourth-highest in ODI history and the highest ever posted on Pakistani soil. At the innings break, England appeared to have effectively batted Sri Lanka out of the contest.

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And then comes Sri Lanka's epic chase

The monumental pursuit started on a shaky note for Sri Lanka. Facing heavy pressure, the islanders slipped to 24/2 in 4.2 overs after losing their top order early to Josh Tongue and the England seamers. However, as night fell over Rawalpindi, a heavy blanket of dew set in, significantly slicking the outfield and making it difficult for England’s bowlers to grip the ball. Opener Avishka Fernando and young Pavan Rathnayake capitalised on the shifting conditions, rebuilding the chase with a sensational 166-run third-wicket partnership. Avishka Fernando played a crisp, authoritative knock of 97 off 83 balls, piercing the infield effortlessly to get the run rate back on track before falling agonizingly close to a century. Pavan Rathnayake played the role of chief orchestrator, anchoring the middle overs with supreme composure. Rathnayake brought up a magnificent, maiden ODI century off 87 balls, eventually powering his way to 130 off 106 deliveries (laced with 15 fours and 3 sixes).

Rathnayake's ton, Fernando-Shanaka’s counter-sttack, Liyanage’s finish

When Rathnayake was dismissed, the required run rate still loomed near 10 runs per over. Former skipper Dasun Shanaka entered the fray and unleashed pure carnage. Shanaka blitzed 97 off just 50 balls, smashing 6 fours and 8 monstrous sixes to firmly swing the momentum back toward Sri Lanka. When Shanaka fell short of his hundred, Janith Liyanage took over the mantle. Playing a heroic, ice-cool cameo, Liyanage brought up a 22-ball half-century, keeping the target firmly in sights with clean striking all around the ground.

Final over drama: Tongue’s double strike to Liyanage’s winner

With Sri Lanka needing 8 runs off the final 6 deliveries, England fast bowler Josh Tongue was tasked with bowling the final over under immense pressure. The game delivered a final twist in the opening deliveries:

49.1: Tongue bowled Dunith Wellalage.
49.2: Tongue bowled Eshan Malinga for a golden duck.
49.3: Asitha Fernando survived the hat-trick ball to scamper a leg bye.
49.4: Asitha Fernando sliced a tight delivery over cover for a single to put Liyanage back on strike with 6 needed off 2 balls.
49.5: Tongue missed his yorker slightly, pitching it tight in the slot. Liyanage swung cleanly through the line, sending the ball soaring over long-on for a dramatic six to win the match with one ball to spare.

Liyanage finished unbeaten on 61 off 27 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes), sparking ecstatic celebrations in the Sri Lankan dugout while leaving Harry Brook and the England team completely shell-shocked.

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Here're the record scripted during Sri Lanka chase vs England

Highest successful chases in ODIs:
435 SA vs Aus Joburg 2006
430 SL vs Eng Rawalpindi 2026
406 Ind vs WI Guwahati 2026
375 Net vs WI Harare 2023 (Super Over win)
372 SA vs Aus Durban 2016

Highest match aggregate in an ODI:
872 Aus (434) vs SA (438) Joburg 2006
859 Eng (429) vs SL (430) Rawalpindi 2026
825 Ind (414) vs SL (411) Rajkot 2009
811 WI (405) vs Ind (406) Guwahati 2026
807 Eng (419) vs WI (389) St George’s 2019

Highest scores in a losing cause in ODIs:
202 Harry Brook vs Eng Rawalpindi 2026
194*Charles Coventry vs Ban Bulawayo 2009
193 Fakhar Zaman vs SA Joburg 2021
191 Goerge Munsey vs Net Dundee 2025
181*Matthew Hayden vs NZ Hamilton 2007

How is the tri-series shaping out?

This unexpected outcome puts massive pressure on England, who now find themselves winless after back-to-back defeats. In contrast, host nation Pakistan remains comfortably perched at the top of the standings on the back of two consecutive victories. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have officially put points on the board with this monumental triumph, leaving the tri-series beautifully poised and wide open as the tournament moves into its crucial remaining fixtures.

Schedule for remainder of tri-series