England's innings: Harry Brook smashes historic double century
After being asked to bat first, England began steadily, with Tom Banton and Ben Duckett establishing an opening partnership. England scored 54 runs without losing a wicket during the first ten overs, laying the foundation for a competitive total.
However, the innings became truly remarkable when captain Harry Brook took control of the Sri Lankan bowling attack. Brook combined calculated stroke play with aggressive boundary hitting, accelerating dramatically during the second half of the innings.
Harry Brook's record-breaking 202
Brook reached his half-century from 42 deliveries and completed his century from 75 balls. He then accelerated further, reaching 150 from 97 balls before bringing up his double century in just 114 deliveries.
His unbeaten innings of 202 from 116 balls included:
- 21 fours
- 10 sixes
- A strike rate of 174.14
- The fastest double century in men's ODI cricket history
- England's first individual ODI double century
Brook's extraordinary innings helped England add 156 runs in the final ten overs. Joe Root contributed 69 runs and crossed the milestone of 8,000 ODI runs, while Will Jacks added a rapid 66. England eventually finished with a massive 429/4, seemingly placing the match beyond Sri Lanka's reach.
Sri Lanka's historic chase: From 24/2 to 430/8
Chasing 430 runs in 50 overs required Sri Lanka to score at an average rate of 8.60 runs per over. The situation became even more challenging when the team lost two early wickets and slipped to 24/2.
At that stage, England appeared to have a strong opportunity to control the match. However, Avishka Fernando and Pavan Rathnayake launched a remarkable recovery.
Avishka Fernando and Pavan Rathnayake rebuild the innings
Fernando and Rathnayake added 166 runs for the third wicket, transforming Sri Lanka's position. Fernando played an attacking innings of 97 runs from 83 balls, striking 11 fours and two sixes.
Rathnayake complemented him with a composed yet aggressive batting display, ensuring Sri Lanka maintained the required scoring rate. The partnership carried Sri Lanka to 190 before Fernando was dismissed by Jamie Overton.
Although Fernando narrowly missed his century, his contribution proved crucial in establishing the platform for the record chase.
Pavan Rathnayake scores a magnificent 130
Rathnayake continued his outstanding innings after Fernando's dismissal. He reached his century from 87 deliveries and maintained an aggressive approach against England's bowlers.
His innings eventually ended at 130 from 106 balls, featuring 15 fours and three sixes.
Dasun Shanaka's explosive 97 changes the match
Former Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka produced another extraordinary innings, scoring 97 runs from just 50 deliveries. His knock included six fours and eight sixes, with a remarkable strike rate of 194.
Shanaka's aggressive approach prevented England from regaining control during the middle and later overs. He formed a crucial century partnership with Rathnayake and maintained the pressure on England's bowling attack.
Although Shanaka fell three runs short of a century, his contribution brought Sri Lanka significantly closer to the target. His innings ended in the 44th over, with Sri Lanka on 363/5.
Janith Liyanage finishes the chase with a dramatic six
With Sri Lanka requiring a strong finish, Janith Liyanage delivered an exceptional late-innings performance. He struck an unbeaten 61 from just 27 deliveries, including seven fours and three sixes.
Liyanage completed his half-century from only 21 balls, ensuring Sri Lanka remained within striking distance of England's massive total.
Final-over drama: Sri Lanka need eight runs
Sri Lanka required eight runs from the final six deliveries, with Josh Tongue bowling the last over for England. The match took a dramatic turn when Tongue dismissed Dunith Wellalage and Eshan Malinga on consecutive deliveries.
Sri Lanka were suddenly 423/8 after 49.3 overs, needing seven runs from the final three balls. Asitha Fernando then took a single from the fourth delivery, bringing Liyanage back on strike.
With six runs required from two balls, Liyanage struck Tongue over long-off for six. That spectacular shot completed Sri Lanka's chase with one ball remaining and triggered celebrations among the Sri Lankan players.
Sri Lanka's extraordinary two-wicket victory over England on October 22, 2026, will be remembered as one of the greatest run chases in ODI cricket.
England captain Harry Brook's magnificent 202 appeared to have put his team in a commanding position, but Sri Lanka responded with outstanding determination and aggressive batting.
Pavan Rathnayake's century, Avishka Fernando's 97, Dasun Shanaka's explosive 97 and Janith Liyanage's match-winning unbeaten 61 combined to deliver a historic victory.
From 24/2 to 430/8, Sri Lanka demonstrated that even a target of 430 can be overcome through partnerships, calculated aggression and composure under pressure.
The match provided a remarkable combination of individual records, dramatic momentum shifts and an unforgettable finish.
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