Sri Lanka pulled off one of the greatest run chases in ODI history on Thursday, hunting down 430 to beat England by two wickets with just one ball to spare in the third ODI of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Our preview had flagged this as a pivotal game for both sides, but few could have imagined what followed. Having won the toss and elected to bowl first, Sri Lanka watched Harry Brook smash a record-breaking double hundred — and still found a way home in an 859-run classic on October 22, 2026.
Match Story
England’s innings belonged to one man. Captain Harry Brook produced an innings for the ages, racing to the fastest double hundred in ODI history — off just 114 balls — and becoming the first Englishman to reach 200 in a one-day international. Brook’s breathtaking 202 off 116 balls was built on two enormous partnerships: a 159-run stand with Joe Root, who made a fluent 69, and a savage 185-run assault alongside Will Jacks, whose unbeaten 66 came off only 30 balls. Brook was dismissed off the very last ball of the innings, but the damage was done — England closed on 429 for 4, the highest total Sri Lanka have ever conceded and the highest ODI total ever recorded in Pakistan.
Chasing 430, Sri Lanka’s reply began in ruins. The visitors slumped to 24 for 2 as Kamindu Mendis (18) and Kusal Mendis (0) fell cheaply, and England scented blood. What followed was one of the great ODI partnerships. Avishka Fernando, fluent and fearless, made 97 off 83 balls, while Pavan Rathnayake compiled a magnificent 130 off 106 — the pair adding 166 for the third wicket to drag Sri Lanka roaring back into the contest.
When Fernando fell three short of a deserved hundred, Dasun Shanaka took up the charge with a stunning counterattack, blazing 97 off just 50 balls to keep the required rate within reach. Janith Liyanage then supplied the finishing touches with an unbeaten 61 off 27 balls. England refused to fold — Josh Tongue struck twice in a nerve-shredding final over to finish with 3 for 79 — but Liyanage held his nerve, launching the winning six with one ball to spare to seal a famous two-wicket victory.
Key Performances
- Pavan Rathnayake 130 (106) — Player of the Match: compiled a masterful hundred in the middle of a 430 chase, the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s record pursuit.
- Harry Brook 202 (116) — the fastest double hundred in ODI history, off just 114 balls, and the first ever by an Englishman, in a losing cause.
- Avishka Fernando 97 (83) — fluent and fearless at the top, sharing a 166-run third-wicket stand with Rathnayake.
- Dasun Shanaka 97 (50) — a stunning counterattacking blitz that kept the required rate within reach when the chase threatened to stall.
- Janith Liyanage 61* (27) — the ice-cool finisher who sealed the win with a towering six with one ball to spare.
- Josh Tongue 3/79 — struck twice in the nerve-shredding final over to nearly steal the game back for England.
- Jamie Overton 10-0-77-1 — the most economical of England’s bowlers on a day of all-out batting carnage.
Records Broken
- Second-highest successful ODI chase ever: Sri Lanka’s 430 sits behind only South Africa’s 435 against Australia at Johannesburg in 2006.
- Fastest ODI double hundred: Harry Brook reached the mark off just 114 balls, and is the first Englishman to score an ODI double century.
- Highest total conceded by Sri Lanka: England’s 429/4 is also the highest ODI total ever posted in Pakistan.
- A run-fest for the ages: 859 runs were scored in just 99.5 overs across the two innings.
What It Means for the Tri-Series
The result blows the tri-series wide open. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in the tournament opener, and England then lost to Pakistan in the second ODI — read our full recap of that defeat — leaving the standings delicately poised: Pakistan on 4 points, Sri Lanka on 2 and England still searching for their first win.
- Pakistan — played 2, won 2, 4 points
- Sri Lanka — played 2, won 1, 2 points
- England — played 2, won 0, 0 points
Sri Lanka are now firmly in the hunt for a place in the October 31 final in Lahore, while England must win their remaining matches — starting with Pakistan vs England on October 25 in Lahore — to stand any chance of reaching the showpiece.
FAQs
What was the result of the Sri Lanka vs England 3rd ODI 2026?
Sri Lanka beat England by 2 wickets with 1 ball to spare at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 22, 2026. Chasing England’s mammoth 429/4 — built on Harry Brook’s record 202 off 116 balls — Sri Lanka finished on 430/8 with one delivery remaining, completing the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history.
Who was the Player of the Match?
Pavan Rathnayake was named Player of the Match for his superb 130 off 106 balls. His century anchored Sri Lanka’s record chase after the early collapse, and his 166-run third-wicket stand with Avishka Fernando set up the famous victory.
What records were broken in the match?
Sri Lanka’s 430 is the second-highest successful chase in ODI history, behind only South Africa’s 435 against Australia in 2006. Harry Brook’s 202 off 116 balls is the fastest double hundred in ODI history and the first by an Englishman, while England’s 429/4 is the highest total ever conceded by Sri Lanka and the highest ODI total posted in Pakistan. The two innings produced 859 runs in just 99.5 overs.
Who were the top scorers for each side?
For Sri Lanka, Pavan Rathnayake led the way with 130 off 106 balls, supported by Avishka Fernando (97 off 83), Dasun Shanaka (97 off 50) and Janith Liyanage (61* off 27). For England, captain Harry Brook’s 202 off 116 was the standout, with Joe Root (69) and Will Jacks (66* off 30) providing valuable support.
What does this result mean for the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026?
The win lifts Sri Lanka to second in the tri-series standings on 2 points, behind leaders Pakistan (4 points), while England remain bottom with 0 after two defeats. Sri Lanka are firmly alive in the race for the October 31 final in Lahore, whereas England must win their remaining fixtures — starting with Pakistan vs England on October 25 — to stay in contention.
Conclusion
Rawalpindi witnessed a match that will be talked about for years: a record double hundred from Harry Brook, a masterclass chase led by Pavan Rathnayake, and a finish that went down to the final ball. Sri Lanka’s 430 stands among the greatest run chases in ODI history — and with the tri-series now wide open, the remaining October fixtures promise more drama. For full ball-by-ball details, see the ESPNcricinfo match report.
