MOHSIN ALI
RAWALPINDI: Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning victory against England in the third ODI of the tri-nation series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, chasing down a daunting 430-run target with one ball to spare.
The visitors reached 430 in 49.5 overs, completing what was described as the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history. England had earlier piled up 429 for four in their 50 overs, a total that became the highest ODI score recorded in Pakistan, going past Pakistan’s 375 for three against Zimbabwe in 2015.
Sri Lanka’s chase began poorly as Kamindu Mendis fell for 18 and captain Kusal Mendis was dismissed without scoring inside the first five overs, leaving the side in early trouble at 24.
Rathnayake then joined Fernando and the two launched a strong recovery. Their third-wicket partnership produced 166 runs off 137 balls, with both batters completing half-centuries as Sri Lanka fought their way back into the contest.
Jamie Overton ended the stand on the first ball of the 28th over, taking a return catch to remove Fernando. The batter missed out on a century, departing for 97 off 83 balls with 11 fours and two sixes.
Dasun Shanaka came in at number five and kept the momentum going with Rathnayake. The pair put on 133 quick runs for the fourth wicket, during which Rathnayake converted his fifty into his second ODI century.
Sam Curran brought Rathnayake’s innings to an end in the 41st over. He finished as Sri Lanka’s top scorer with 130 off 106 deliveries, hitting 15 boundaries and three sixes.
Shanaka then added 40 runs for the fifth wicket with Janith Liyanage while continuing to attack the England bowlers. He fell just short of his maiden ODI century, dismissed by Liam Dawson for 97. His 50-ball knock included six fours and eight sixes.
Liyanage took control after Shanaka’s wicket and carried Sri Lanka over the line. He remained unbeaten on 61 off 27 balls, striking seven fours and three sixes, as Sri Lanka sealed the win on the penultimate delivery.
For England, Josh Tongue was the most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 79 runs in 8.5 overs. Curran picked up two wickets, while Overton and Dawson claimed one each.
Earlier, Kusal Mendis’s decision to bowl first did not work in Sri Lanka’s favour as England raced to 429 for four in their allotted overs.
Openers Tom Banton and Ben Duckett gave England a fast start with a 74-run stand before both were dismissed by Dunith Wellalage in successive overs. Banton made 51 off 50 balls with nine fours, while Duckett scored 29 off 39 deliveries.
After the two quick wickets, captain Harry Brook and Joe Root took charge. The pair added 159 runs for the third wicket, with both reaching half-centuries to put England in a commanding position.
Asitha Fernando broke the partnership on the first ball of the 38th over when he dismissed Root for 69 off 66 balls. Root’s innings included eight fours.
Brook, however, continued to dominate and accelerated in the closing overs with Will Jacks. The duo put together 185 runs off 77 balls for the fourth wicket, helping England cross the 400-run mark. The stand ended on the final ball of the innings when Brook was dismissed by Janith Liyanage.
Brook top-scored for England with a brilliant 202 off 116 balls, hitting 21 fours and 10 sixes. Jacks remained unbeaten on 60 from 33 deliveries, with eight fours and three sixes.
For Sri Lanka, Wellalage was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets for 56 runs in 10 overs, while Asitha Fernando and Liyanage took one wicket each.
