Sri Lanka Achieves Historic ODI Chase Against England

In a thrilling ODI match, Sri Lanka accomplished a historic 430-run chase against England, showcasing remarkable resilience and teamwork. Captain Kusal Mendis praised his players for their character and belief, while Harry Brook made history with a double century. The match featured standout performances from Pavan Rathnayake and Dasun Shanaka, leading to a nail-biting finish. This victory marks a significant achievement in Sri Lankan cricket, as they secured their highest-ever ODI chase. Read on to explore the details of this unforgettable match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 22, 2026, 23:11 IST

Sri Lanka's Remarkable Chase

Rawalpindi [Pakistan], October 22: After an extraordinary 430-run chase against England, Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis praised his team's resilience and confidence, expressing his enjoyment of the chase as a leader. Following a record-setting double century by English captain Harry Brook, Sri Lankan batsmen elevated their performance, achieving their highest-ever ODI chase of 430 runs, marking only the second-highest chase in ODI history. Contributions from Pavan Rathnayake, along with explosive innings from Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, and Janith Liyanage, matched Brook's historic achievement, leading to England's second defeat in the ongoing tri-series that also includes Pakistan.

England's Batting Performance

In the match, Sri Lanka opted to field first, allowing England to set a challenging target. The English innings began with a solid 74-run partnership between Tom Banton (50 runs off 51 balls, including nine fours) and Ben Duckett (29 runs off 39 balls, with two fours). After their dismissals, England found themselves at 85/2. However, a significant 159-run partnership between Yorkshire teammates Brook and Joe Root (69 runs off 66 balls, featuring eight fours) propelled England forward. Root made history by becoming the first English player to surpass 8,000 ODI runs, now totaling 8,005 runs in 197 matches and 186 innings, averaging 50.66 with 20 centuries and 49 fifties, and a top score of 166*.

Sri Lanka's Record-Setting Chase

During their chase, Sri Lanka faced early setbacks, falling to 24/2 with the losses of Kamindu Mendis (18 runs) and captain Kusal Mendis (0 runs). Avishka Fernando (97 runs off 83 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes) initiated a counter-attack alongside Pavan Rathnayake, forming a crucial 166-run partnership for the third wicket. Pavan delivered a career-best performance with 130 runs off 106 balls, including 15 fours and three sixes, maintaining hope with a 133-run partnership with the aggressive Dasun Shanaka (97 runs off 50 balls, featuring six fours and eight sixes).

Clutch Performance in the Final Overs

When Shanaka was dismissed in the 44th over, Sri Lanka still required 67 runs from six overs. Janith Liyanage (61* runs off 27 balls, with seven fours and three sixes) emerged as the hero, leading the team to victory with support from the lower order, despite Josh Tongue (3/79) posing a threat with consecutive wickets in the final over. Sam Curran (2/103) struggled in his nine-over spell, unable to contain the Sri Lankan batsmen.