Rawalpindi, October 22,2026: Sri Lanka pulled off a sensational two-wicket victory over England after chasing down a mammoth 430-run target in the third match of the Pakistan-hosted ODI tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, setting multiple records in the process.
Pavan Rathnayake led the remarkable pursuit with a blistering century, while Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka scored 97 runs apiece. Janith Liyanage then delivered the finishing touches with an explosive unbeaten half-century as Sri Lanka reached 433 for eight with one ball remaining.
Rathnayake top-scored with 130 off 106 deliveries, smashing 15 fours and three sixes. Fernando struck 97 off 83 balls, while Shanaka needed just 50 deliveries to score his 97, including six fours and eight sixes.
Liyanage remained unbeaten on 61 off only 27 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes to steer Sri Lanka home in one of the most remarkable run chases in ODI history.
Sri Lanka’s successful pursuit of 430 became the second-highest completed run chase in men’s ODI cricket, behind South Africa’s famous chase of 435 against Australia in Johannesburg in 2006.
The island nation also became the third team to successfully chase a target exceeding 400 runs, joining South Africa and India in the exclusive club. India achieved the feat last month by chasing 406 against the West Indies in Guwahati.
Highest successful chases in ODIs
- 435 — South Africa against Australia, Johannesburg, 2006
- 430 — Sri Lanka against England, Rawalpindi, 2026
- 406 — India against West Indies, Guwahati, 2026
- 375 — Netherlands against West Indies, Harare, 2023 (Super Over victory)
- 372 — South Africa against Australia, Durban, 2016
Earlier, England produced a formidable batting performance after being put in to bat, posting 429 for four in their 50 overs, powered by captain Harry Brook’s magnificent double century.
Brook smashed 202 off 116 deliveries, including 21 fours and 10 sixes, recording the highest individual score by an England batter in men’s ODI cricket. Joe Root contributed 69, while Will Jacks remained unbeaten on 60 and Tom Banton scored 51.
The two teams accumulated 859 runs in the match, making it the second-highest aggregate in ODI history, behind the 872 runs scored when Australia made 434 and South Africa replied with 438 in Johannesburg in 2006.
Highest match aggregates in ODIs
- 872 — Australia (434) vs South Africa (438), Johannesburg, 2006
- 859 — England (429) vs Sri Lanka (433), Rawalpindi, 2026
- 825 — India (414) vs Sri Lanka (411), Rajkot, 2009
- 811 — West Indies (405) vs India (406), Guwahati, 2026
- 807 — England (419) vs West Indies (389), St George’s, 2019
Brook’s outstanding innings also placed him at the top of an unwanted list, as his 202 became the highest individual score in a losing cause in men’s ODI cricket.
He surpassed Zimbabwe’s Charles Coventry, who had scored an unbeaten 194 against Bangladesh in Bulawayo in 2009.
Highest individual scores in a losing cause in ODIs
- 202 — Harry Brook (England) vs Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi, 2026
- 194* — Charles Coventry (Zimbabwe) vs Bangladesh, Bulawayo, 2009
- 193 — Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan) vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2021
- 191 — George Munsey (Scotland) vs Netherlands, Dundee, 2025
- 181* — Matthew Hayden (Australia) vs New Zealand, Hamilton, 2007
The extraordinary contest showcased a remarkable combination of England’s explosive batting and Sri Lanka’s fearless chase, producing a record-laden encounter in the Pakistan-hosted tri-series.
