When England piled up 429 on the back of Harry Brook’s terrific double century, a comfortable victory looked almost certain. Few would have imagined that Sri Lanka would chase it down. Even halfway through their reply, the visitors appeared to be playing for respectability rather than victory. What followed was a remarkable turnaround, as Sri Lanka reached 430/8 in 49.5 overs to complete the second-highest successful run chase in men’s ODI history.
Dasun Shanaka gave Sri Lanka the belief that they could win. Janith Liyanage stayed until the end to turn that belief into reality. Their fearless batting handed England a humiliating defeat in Rawalpindi, where even a record-breaking double century and 429 runs were not enough.
Harry Brook’s Record Double Century Puts England in Control
England’s innings did not initially suggest that such a huge total was coming. Tom Banton scored 50 off 51 balls, while Ben Duckett struggled for fluency during his 29 off 39.
Joe Root and Brook then built the innings before England changed gears. Root contributed 69 off 66 balls, but Brook’s acceleration transformed the match.
The England captain reached his double century in 114 balls, the fastest in ODI history. He finished with 202 off 116 deliveries, including 21 fours and 10 sixes.
Will Jacks provided the ideal support with an unbeaten 66 off just 30 balls. His late attack helped England finish on 429/4. Brook and Jacks showed how good the surface was for batting, but chasing 430 still demanded something extraordinary.
Shanaka Changes the Direction of Sri Lanka’s Chase
Sri Lanka’s reply began with two damaging setbacks. Kamindu Mendis fell for 18, while captain Kusal Mendis was run out without facing a ball. At 24/2, the chase already looked in serious trouble.
Avishka Fernando and Pavan Rathnayake repaired the innings with a 166-run partnership. However, England’s total meant that rebuilding alone would not be enough. Sri Lanka were 169/2 after 25 overs, still needing 261 from the remaining half of their innings.
At that stage, their approach gave the impression that avoiding a heavy defeat had become the priority. The required rate kept climbing, and England remained firmly ahead.
Avishka’s dismissal for 97 off 83 balls brought Shanaka to the crease. That changed the direction of the chase.
Shanaka attacked with a clear purpose. His boundary hitting put England’s bowlers under pressure and gave Rathnayake the support to increase the scoring rate. Together, they added 133 runs in just 79 balls.
Rathnayake made 130 off 106 deliveries, hitting 15 fours and three sixes, before Sam Curran dismissed him. His innings had held Sri Lanka’s chase together, but Shanaka supplied the urgency that made victory a realistic possibility.
Shanaka smashed 97 off only 50 balls, including six fours and eight sixes. He narrowly missed a deserved century when he was caught off Liam Dawson, leaving Sri Lanka at 363/5 after 44 overs.
They still needed 67 from 36 balls, but the mood had changed completely. Sri Lanka were now playing to win.
Janith Liyanage Holds His Nerve in a Dramatic Final Over
Liyanage attacked from the start and refused to let England recover control. With Sahan Arachchige contributing a quick 13 off eight balls, Sri Lanka reduced the equation to 13 runs from the final two overs.
Jamie Overton then delivered a strong 49th over, conceding only five runs. Sri Lanka needed eight from the last six balls, with Josh Tongue entrusted to defend them.
Liyanage took a single from the first delivery. Tongue then bowled Dunith Wellalage and Eshan Malinga with consecutive balls.
Suddenly, Sri Lanka were eight wickets down and needed seven from three deliveries. A chase that had appeared within reach was threatening to slip away.
Asitha Fernando took a crucial single off the fourth ball, putting Liyanage back on strike with six needed from two.
Liyanage finished it with one shot. He struck the fifth delivery for six to seal Sri Lanka’s historic victory, remaining unbeaten on 61 off 27 balls.
Shanaka deserves enormous credit for making Sri Lanka believe that 430 could be chased. Liyanage deserves it for staying calm when two late wickets threatened to undo everything. Avishka and Rathnayake’s earlier work gave both men the platform.
For England, the result demands a serious examination of their bowling. Curran conceded 103 runs in nine overs, and an attack defending 429 could not stop Sri Lanka even after reducing them to 24/2.
Top Three Highest Successful Run Chases in Men’s ODI History
| Rank | Winning team | Opponent | Target | Final score | Venue and date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | Australia | 435 | 438/9, 49.5 overs | Johannesburg, 12 March 2006 |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | England | 430 | 430/8, 49.5 overs | Rawalpindi, 22 October 2026 |
| 3 | India | West Indies | 406 | 406/2, 43.3 overs | Guwahati, 30 September 2026 |
Match Summary
England: 429/4 in 50 overs
Harry Brook 202 (116), Joe Root 69 (66), Will Jacks 66* (30), Tom Banton 50 (51).
Sri Lanka bowling: Dunith Wellalage 2/56, Asitha Fernando 1/68, Janith Liyanage 1/32.
Sri Lanka: 430/8 in 49.5 overs
Pavan Rathnayake 130 (106), Avishka Fernando 97 (83), Dasun Shanaka 97 (50), Janith Liyanage 61* (27).
England bowling: Josh Tongue 3/79, Sam Curran 2/103, Liam Dawson 1/71, Jamie Overton 1/77.
Result: Sri Lanka won by two wickets with one ball remaining.
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