Sri Lanka chase 430 in Rawalpindi to seal historic two-wicket victory

Sri Lanka completed an extraordinary pursuit of 430 against England at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, winning the tri-series encounter by two wickets with only one delivery remaining. The successful chase was the second highest in the history of men’s one-day international cricket and produced one of the most dramatic finishes witnessed at the venue.

Pavan Rathnayake led the response with a career-defining 130 from 106 deliveries. His innings contained 15 fours and three sixes, providing the control Sri Lanka needed while the required rate remained demanding. Rathnayake’s ability to find boundaries without allowing the chase to collapse turned a daunting target into a realistic possibility.

Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka supplied crucial support, with both batters scoring 97. Their matching contributions kept Sri Lanka within reach of the target despite England’s imposing total. Janith Liyanage then remained composed during the closing stages, helping the visitors secure victory on the penultimate ball as the contest stretched deep into the final over.

England had earlier amassed 429 for four after being asked to bat, setting the highest ODI total recorded on Pakistani soil. Harry Brook dominated the innings with a spectacular 202 from 116 balls, striking 21 fours and 10 sixes before being dismissed from the final delivery. His double century came at a pace that placed it among the fastest and most destructive innings in the format.

Openers Tom Banton and Ben Duckett established a 74-run partnership in 13.2 overs. Banton made 50 from 51 balls, while Duckett contributed 29 from 39. Sri Lanka briefly regained control by removing both batters and reducing England to 85 for two after 16 overs, but the respite proved temporary.

Brook rebuilt the innings alongside Joe Root through a 159-run third-wicket stand. Root scored 69 from 66 deliveries and became the first England batter to pass 8,000 ODI runs. Their partnership placed England at 244 for three in the 38th over and created the foundation for an explosive finish.

Will Jacks joined Brook in a rapid 179-run partnership from only 79 balls. Jacks struck 66 from 30 deliveries, including eight fours and three sixes, as England accumulated 185 runs during the final 13 overs. Dunith Wellalage emerged as Sri Lanka’s most effective bowler, taking two wickets for 56 runs from his full allocation of 10 overs.

The match delivered an aggregate of 858 runs and several major records, but Sri Lanka’s sustained chase became the defining achievement. On a night when bowlers faced relentless pressure, the visitors repeatedly recovered from setbacks and converted a seemingly unreachable target into a landmark victory in Pakistan.