Sri Lanka stun England to chase 430-run target in Rawalpindi thriller

RAWALPINDI: England defeated Sri Lanka by six runs in a high-scoring third match of the Pakistan ODI tri-series on Thursday, surviving a remarkable chase after captain Harry Brook smashed a record-breaking 202.

Chasing 430, Sri Lanka scored 423-8 in 50 overs, falling just short despite a brilliant 130 from Pavan Rathnayake and a rapid 97 from Dasun Shanaka. Avishka Fernando also scored 97, while Janith Liyanage made a valuable contribution in the closing stages.

England had posted 429-4 in their allotted 50 overs, with Brook leading the charge through an extraordinary 202 off 116 balls, including 21 fours and 10 sixes.

Brook reached his double century in 114 balls, becoming the fastest batter to score 200 in men’s one-day internationals and the first Englishman to achieve the feat.

Brook was dismissed off the final delivery, caught off pacer Janith Liyanage, but not before helping England add 156 runs in the last 10 overs.

Joe Root contributed 69, Tom Banton scored 50 and Will Jacks provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 66 off 30 balls.

Sri Lanka mounted a spirited response but England held their nerve in the closing overs to secure victory in a match featuring more than 850 runs.

The result gave England a crucial win in the tri-series after their defeat by Pakistan earlier in the tournament.

Earlier, Pakistan beat England by 87 runs in the second match of the ODI tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after posting 302-9 in 50 overs and bowling out the visitors for 215 in 38.4 overs.