Sri Lanka push Brook's double century into second place as they chase down a record 430 to win
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
Overshadowing Harry Brook's record-breaking double century, Sri Lanka completed the second-highest run chase in the history of one-day international cricket to record a superb 2-wicket win over England in Rawalpindi tonight (22nd). In reply to England's 429 for 4, Sri Lanka reached 430 for 6 with one ball to spare in the final over of the match.
In this mammoth chase, Pawan Rathnayake was the mainstay of the Sri Lankan innings with 130 runs, while Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka made 97 each. In the closing stages, Janith Liyanage's explosive unbeaten 61 off 27 balls carried Sri Lanka to victory.
Sri Lanka, set a target of 430, came under severe pressure right at the start. Two wickets fell with the score on 24, and captain Kusal Mendis had to walk back run out without facing a single ball. But after that difficult start, the Sri Lankan batters rebuilt the innings and posed a stiff challenge to the England bowlers.
Pawan Rathnayake's innings of 130 proved to be the turning point of Sri Lanka's chase. Building the innings together with Avishka Fernando, he gave Sri Lanka hope of victory. Although Avishka fell on 97 with a century in sight, his innings was hugely important to Sri Lanka's successful chase.
Dasun Shanaka, who came in next, also made 97 to strengthen Sri Lanka's march towards victory. But with the England bowlers coming back into the contest in the latter half of the match, Sri Lanka had to fight hard in the closing overs for the win.
Josh Tongue dismissed Dunith Wellalage and Eshan Malinga in consecutive balls to revive England's hopes of victory. At that point Sri Lanka needed 6 runs off the last two balls. Asitha Fernando, who walked in as the No. 10 batter, gave Janith Liyanage the chance to get back on strike. Liyanage then sent a Tongue delivery over long-off for six to seal a historic win for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's recovery from the difficult position of 24 for 2 to win the match was the standout feature of this contest. The 859 runs scored by both teams combined also made this one-day match an unforgettable, high-scoring affair.
In England's innings, captain Harry Brook made 200 off 114 balls. In doing so he became the first England batter to score a double century in a one-day international, and he also recorded the fastest double century in the format. Breaking the record for the fastest ODI double century previously held by Shubman Gill, Brook put on a 159-run partnership with Joe Root and a 185-run partnership with Will Jacks.
Although Brook's double century lifted England to 429, they were unable to defend that huge total in the face of an outstanding collective effort from the Sri Lankan batters.
England 429 for 4 in 50 overs – Harry Brook 200, Joe Root 69, Will Jacks 66, Tom Banton 50, Ben Duckett 29, Dunith Wellalage 56/2, Asitha Fernando 68/1, Janith Liyanage 32/1
Sri Lanka 430 for 8 in 49.5 overs – Pawan Rathnayake 130, Avishka Fernando 97, Dasun Shanaka 97, Janith Liyanage 61*, Kamindu Mendis 18, Kusal Mendis 00, Sahan Arachchige 13, Dunith Wellalage 08, Eshan Malinga 00, Asitha Fernando 01*, Josh Tongue 79/3, Sam Curran 103/2, Liam Dawson 71/1, Jamie Overton 77/1
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting