Sri Lanka launch second-highest ODI chase to stun England as Brook 202 runs out

ByTech Word News

It was the penultimate ball of the match. Sri Lanka needed six from two balls and then Janith Liyanage hit a maximum to cap off an incredible night in ODI cricket. Sri Lanka stunned England as they chased down 430 runs to win the third match of the tri-series in Pakistan by two wickets.

That meant the Lankan Lions missed out on India’s incredible victory in Guwahati last month against the West Indies and scored the second-highest run in ODI history as the England captain’s 202 came up empty. Powered by a blistering 130 from Pavan Rathnayake and 97 from Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka took the game all the way as England’s bowlers failed to stem the onslaught in Rawalpindi.

There was drama in the final as Josh Tongue gave England hope by picking the wickets of Dunith Wellalage and Eshan Malinga, but Liyanage remained unbeaten with 61 off 27 balls to achieve one of the biggest victories in ODI history.

Earlier in the day, Harry Brook scored the fastest double hundred in ODI history, breaking the record set by Shubman Gill last month. At that point, Kusal Mendis felt he had made a mistake in allowing England to bat first in Rawalpindi. However, he was soon vindicated as a strong dew came to Sri Lanka’s rescue.

The Lankan Lions were reeling at one point and were reduced to 24 for two in 4.2 overs while chasing a mammoth total. But Rathnayake had other ideas. First, he put up a 166-run stand with Avishka Fernando scoring 97 off 83 balls to keep his side in the hunt.

Then Rathnayake threw in the bowlers with the help of Dasun Shanak who hit 97 off just 50 balls, his innings laced with six fours and eight sixes. Rathnayake himself hit 15 boundaries and three sixes on his way to 130 off 106 balls to bring his side closer to victory.

The finishing touches came from Liyanage, who hit seven fours and three sixes during his blistering knock that left Brook and England stunned at the end.

ODI RUN’S MOST SUCCESSFUL CHASES

  • 438/9 – South Africa vs. Australia, Johannesburg, 2006 (T-435)
  • 430/8 – Sri Lanka Vs. England, Rawalpindi, 2026 (T-430)
  • 406/2 – India Vs. West Indies, Guwahati, 2026 (T – 406)
  • 372/6 – South Africa Vs. Australia, Durban, 2016 (T-372)
  • 374/6 – Netherlands v. Scotland, Dundee, 2025 (T-370)

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