Sri Lanka has completed the second-highest successful run chase in the history of One-Day Internationals (ODIs). In a tri-series match in Rawalpindi, Sri Lanka made history by chasing down England’s target of 430 runs, securing a thrilling two-wicket victory with just one ball to spare.
Chasing a daunting target, the Sri Lankan batters adopted an aggressive approach and put up a spirited fight. Rathnayake led the charge with 130 runs, while Shanaka and Fernando scored 97 runs each.
Janith Liyanage also played a crucial role, contributing a match-winning half-century. Earlier, England had piled up a massive total on Pakistani soil, with their batters dismantling the Sri Lankan bowling attack at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Banton and Duckett laid the foundation for the imposing total before England captain Harry Brook took charge with a blistering double century, becoming the first English captain to achieve the feat in ODI cricket.
It also marked the first double century by a batter on Pakistani soil. Will Jacks further boosted England’s total with a blistering knock off just 30 balls, helping the team surpass the 400-run mark for the first time in an ODI played in Pakistan. England finished with 429 runs, their highest-ever ODI total against Sri Lanka. The innings featured 13 sixes and 48 fours.
Sri Lanka got off to a shaky start in their chase, losing opener Kamindu Mendis for 18 and captain Kusal Mendis for a duck within the first five overs, leaving the team struggling at 24 runs.
However, Rathnayake joined Fernando at the crease, and the pair launched a counterattack against the England bowlers. They added 166 runs off just 137 balls for the third wicket, with both batters reaching their half-centuries.
Their partnership ended on the first ball of the 28th over when Jamie Overton caught Fernando off his own bowling. Fernando departed after scoring a brilliant 97 off 83 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes.
Dasun Shanaka came in at number five and joined Rathnayake to maintain Sri Lanka’s scoring momentum. The pair added a rapid 133 runs for the fourth wicket, during which Rathnayake progressed from his half-century to his second ODI century.
Sam Curran eventually brought Rathnayake’s outstanding innings to an end in the 41st over. The opener finished as Sri Lanka’s top scorer with 130 off 106 balls, hitting 15 fours and three sixes.
