Lahore, October 29,2026: Ben Duckett smashed a brilliant 167 before Liam Dawson claimed four wickets as England ended their ODI tri-series campaign with a 55-run victory over Sri Lanka at Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing a formidable target of 387, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 331 in 45.1 overs despite Pavan Rathnayake’s outstanding 118 off 77 balls. The result came after Sri Lanka had already secured their place in Saturday’s final against hosts Pakistan, while England signed off with a consolation win following three successive defeats.
Duckett laid the foundation for England’s imposing total of 386-5 in 50 overs, scoring 167 off 132 deliveries with 24 fours. The left-hander relied on precise timing and placement to dominate the innings without hitting a six.
Tom Banton provided excellent support, contributing 74 off 75 balls, including eight fours and two sixes, as the pair added 163 runs for the opening wicket.
Banton was dismissed by Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka in the 25th over, but Duckett continued his assault alongside Harry Brook, who scored 44 off 34 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes. England reached 270-2 in 37.3 overs before Brook was caught and bowled by Asitha Fernando.
Will Jacks added a quick 30 off 21 balls before falling to Asitha, while Duckett’s innings ended at 301-3 when he miscued a scoop against Eshan Malinga and was caught at short fine leg.
Jordan Cox contributed 43 off 27 deliveries, while Sam Curran remained unbeaten on 21 off 12 balls. Their late contributions helped England add 85 runs in the final 8.1 overs.
Cox fell off the last ball of the innings, caught by Sahan Arachchige off Dilshan Madushanka, as England finished at a run rate of 7.72.
Asitha was Sri Lanka’s most economical frontline bowler, taking two wickets for 63 runs. Madushanka and Malinga claimed one wicket each, although Malinga conceded 101 runs in his 10 overs.
Sri Lanka’s chase suffered an early setback when Kamindu Mendis was bowled by Sonny Baker for four in the fourth over. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis then steadied the innings, taking the score to 97 before Avishka departed for 48 off 50 balls, caught by Jacks off Dawson.
Kusal continued to attack, scoring 89 off 71 deliveries with eight fours and five sixes. His dismissal, caught behind off Joe Root at 177-3, left Sri Lanka needing substantial contributions from the middle order.
Rathnayake kept the chase alive with a spectacular innings featuring 15 fours and a six. He reached his century off just 70 balls, recording his third ODI hundred, all against England this year.
He received support from Janith Liyanage, who scored 27 off 17 balls, and Sahan Arachchige, who added 30 off 24 deliveries. However, Dawson struck at crucial moments, finishing with figures of 4-49 in 10 overs after removing Shanaka, Avishka, Rathnayake and Asitha.
Rathnayake’s resistance finally ended at 329 when he was caught by Baker off Henry Crocombe. With the tail unable to complete the chase, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 331 in 45.1 overs.
The victory gave England a positive finish to a difficult campaign that included defeats to Pakistan and Sri Lanka, including a loss after failing to defend 242 against Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s remarkable chase of 430 in Rawalpindi.
Sri Lanka will now turn their attention to Saturday’s final against Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium.
