Sri Lanka produced a sensational batting performance to chase down England’s mammoth target of 430 runs in the third ODI of the tri-nation series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, completing a remarkable victory with one ball to spare.
Sri Lanka reached the target in 49.5 overs, pulling off what was billed as the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history after England had posted an imposing 429 for four in their allotted 50 overs.
Sri Lanka endured a shaky start to their pursuit, losing opener Kamindu Mendis for 18 and skipper Kusal Mendis for a duck within the first five overs, leaving the team struggling at 24 runs.
However, Rathnayake joined Fernando at the crease, and the pair launched a spirited counterattack against the England bowlers. Their third-wicket stand yielded 166 runs from just 137 deliveries, with both batters reaching their respective half-centuries.
The partnership was finally broken by Jamie Overton on the opening delivery of the 28th over, when he caught Fernando off his own bowling. Fernando departed after a brilliant 83-ball knock of 97, featuring 11 boundaries and two sixes.
Dasun Shanaka arrived at number five following Fernando’s dismissal and combined with Rathnayake to maintain Sri Lanka’s scoring momentum. The pair added a rapid 133 runs for the fourth wicket, during which Rathnayake advanced from his half-century to register his second ODI hundred.
Sam Curran eventually ended Rathnayake’s outstanding innings in the 41st over. The opener finished as Sri Lanka’s leading scorer with 130 off 106 balls, striking 15 fours and three sixes.
Shanaka continued his aggressive approach in partnership with Janith Liyanage, adding another 40 runs for the fifth wicket. However, the all-rounder narrowly missed out on his maiden ODI century, falling for 97 to Liam Dawson. His explosive 50-ball innings included six fours and eight sixes.
After Shanaka’s departure, Liyanage took charge of the chase and guided Sri Lanka across the finish line. He remained unbeaten on 61 from just 27 deliveries, hitting seven fours and three sixes, as the visitors sealed victory on the penultimate ball of the innings.
For England, Josh Tongue led the bowling effort with figures of three wickets for 79 runs in 8.5 overs. Curran claimed two wickets, while Overton and Dawson picked up one wicket each.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis’s decision to field first backfired as the Three Lions racked up 429/4 in their 50 overs, which was then the highest total in the host country, surpassing the previous best of 375/3, which the host nation Pakistan recorded against Zimbabwe in 2015.
England got off to a blazing start to their innings as their opening pair of Tom Banton and Ben Duckett shared a brisk 74-run partnership before both fell victim to Dunith Wellalage in the spinner’s successive overs.
Banton, who dominated the opening stand, walked back after scoring a 50-ball 51 with the help of nine fours, while Duckett contributed with 29 off 39 deliveries.
Following the back-to-back dismissals, captain Brook and experienced Joe Root took the reins of England’s batting charge, and the duo put the 2019 champions in complete control by raising a 159-run partnership for the third wicket, during which both batters brought up their respective half-centuries.
Asitha Fernando eventually broke the threatening partnership on the first delivery of the 38th over by dismissing Root, who departed after scoring 69 off 66 deliveries, smashing eight boundaries.
Skipper Brook, meanwhile, stood his ground firmly and decimated Sri Lanka’s bowling attack in the concluding phase of the innings, alongside all-rounder Will Jacks, ensuring England breached the 400-run barrier, as they shared an 185-run partnership off 77 deliveries, which concluded on the final delivery of the innings with the former’s dismissal off Janith Liyanage.
The captain remained the top-scorer for England with 202 off 116 deliveries, studded with 21 fours and 10 sixes, while Jacks remained unbeaten with a 33-ball 60, featuring eight fours and three sixes.
Wellalage was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka as he picked up two wickets for 56 runs in his 10 overs, while Fernando and Liyanage could claim one apiece.
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England captain Harry Brook delivered a breathtaking performance, smashing 202 runs off 116 balls, including 21 fours and 10 sixes, to guide his side to an imposing total of 429-4 in 50 overs.
Brook’s double century set a new record for the highest individual score in a men’s ODI innings played in Pakistan. He eclipsed the previous benchmark of 188 runs, set by former South Africa captain Gary Kirsten against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Rawalpindi in 1996.
The England skipper’s remarkable innings also saw him rewrite several other records.
Highest individual ODI scores in Pakistan
Harry Brook (England) – 202 against Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi, October 22, 2026
Gary Kirsten (South Africa) – 188 against UAE, Rawalpindi, February 16, 1996
Viv Richards (West Indies) – 181 against Sri Lanka, Karachi, October 13, 1987
Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan) – 180 against New Zealand, Rawalpindi, April 29, 2023
Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan) – 177 against England, Lahore, February 26, 2025
Ben Duckett (England) – 165 against Australia, Lahore, February 22, 2025
Andrew Hudson (South Africa) – 161 against the Netherlands, Rawalpindi, March 5, 1996
Brook also set a new record for the highest individual score by an England batter in men’s ODIs, eclipsing former captain Ben Stokes’ 182 against New Zealand in 2023.
Furthermore, his double century came off just 116 balls, making it the fastest ODI double century by balls faced, surpassing India’s Shubman Gill, who scored an unbeaten 223 off 117 deliveries against the West Indies in Guwahati on 30 September 2026.
Highest individual ODI scores for England
Harry Brook – 202 against Sri Lanka, 2026
Ben Stokes – 182 against New Zealand, 2023
Jason Roy – 180 against Australia, 2018
Alex Hales – 171 against Pakistan, 2016
Robin Smith – 167 against Australia, 1993
Fastest ODI double centuries by balls faced
Harry Brook (England) – 200 runs off 114 balls against Sri Lanka in 2026.
Shubman Gill (India) – 200 runs off 117 balls against West Indies in 2026.
Ishan Kishan (India) – 200 runs off 126 balls against Bangladesh in 2022.
Glenn Maxwell (Australia) – 201 runs off 128 balls against Afghanistan in 2023.
Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) – 200 runs off 136 balls against Afghanistan in 2024.
Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 201 runs off 138 balls against Zimbabwe in 2015.
Virender Sehwag (India) – 201 runs off 140 balls against West Indies in 2011.
Shubman Gill (India) – 200 runs off 145 balls against New Zealand in 2023.
Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 200 runs off 147 balls against South Africa in 2010.
Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan) – 201 runs off 148 balls against Zimbabwe in 2018.
The 27-year-old also joined an elite group of captains to have scored double centuries in men’s ODIs.
His innings ranks among the highest individual scores by a captain in the format and makes him the first England captain to register an ODI double century.
Highest individual ODI scores by captains
Shubman Gill (India) – 223 not out against the West Indies, Guwahati, 2026
Virender Sehwag (India) – 219 against the West Indies, Indore, 2011
Rohit Sharma (India) – 208 not out against Sri Lanka, Mohali, 2017
Harry Brook (England) – 202 against Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi, 2026
Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 189 against India, Sharjah, 2000
Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 186 not out against New Zealand, Hyderabad (Deccan), 1999
Highest individual ODI scores by England captains
Harry Brook – 202 against Sri Lanka, 2026
Andrew Strauss – 158 against India, 2011
Andrew Strauss – 154 against Bangladesh, 2010
Eoin Morgan – 148 against Afghanistan, 2019
Alastair Cook – 137 against Pakistan, 2012
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Arafat Minhas stars as Pakistan thrash England by 87 runs in ODI tri-series
Arafat Minhas delivered an all-round performance to help Pakistan defeat England by 87 runs, securing their second win in the ongoing ODI tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Chasing a target of 303, England were bowled out for 215 in 38.4 overs despite a strong start from openers Tom Banton and Ben Duckett.
The duo stitched together a 91-run opening partnership, finding boundaries with ease as they took the attack to Pakistan’s bowlers during the early stages of the chase.
However, Haris Rauf broke the stand in the 15th over by dismissing Duckett, who fell five runs short of his half-century after scoring 45 off 46 deliveries, including eight boundaries.
Banton continued to bat sensibly, building a steady partnership with Harry Brook to take England past the 100-run mark. During the stand, Banton also brought up his third ODI half-century.
The right-handed batter eventually fell to Arafat Minhas in the 19th over after scoring a fighting 57 off 53 deliveries, including five boundaries and two sixes. His dismissal left England at 120-2 in 18.3 overs.
In the 21st over, Minhas struck again to remove England captain Brook, who managed just five off seven deliveries.
Sam Curran and Joe Root then attempted to revive the chase, building a partnership that took England past the 150-run mark.
However, Naseem Shah provided Pakistan with a crucial breakthrough by bowling Root for 33 off 35 deliveries, including five boundaries. England were reduced to 165-4 in 28.5 overs.
Pakistan continued to tighten their grip on the contest as Rauf struck again, dismissing Curran for 27 off 39 deliveries, including a six, to put England under further pressure.
England continued to lose wickets at regular intervals as Minhas claimed his third wicket by dismissing Jordan Cox for 18 off 16 deliveries, including a boundary and a six. The visitors were left struggling at 197-6 in 34.5 overs.
Minhas continued his impressive spell, claiming his fourth wicket by dismissing Jamie Overton for one off four deliveries to leave England reeling at 198-7.
The all-rounder then struck twice in consecutive deliveries during his ninth over, dismissing Will Jacks for 19 before removing Adil Rashid for a first-ball duck to complete his second five-wicket haul in ODIs.
Minhas capped off his outstanding performance by running out Gus Atkinson following a mix-up, bowling England out and sealing an emphatic victory for Pakistan.
Arafat Minhas spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling attack with impressive figures of 6/40 in 8.4 overs. Haris Rauf claimed two wickets, while Naseem Shah chipped in with one.
Earlier, half-centuries from Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas helped Pakistan recover from an early batting wobble to post 302.
Pakistan endured an early batting collapse as Gus Atkinson struck off the first ball, dismissing opener Fakhar Zaman, while Sonny Baker removed Saim Ayub for eight after a 31-run second-wicket stand.
Babar Azam attempted to steady the innings, scoring 34 off 52 balls with four boundaries, but Will Jacks dismissed him to leave Pakistan struggling at 59-3 in 14.2 overs.
Salman Ali Agha, who scored a century in the opening match, managed just 16 before falling to Adil Rashid. Then Saad Baig Nawaz rebuilt the innings, adding 51 runs before Atkinson dismissed Saad for 35 off 54 deliveries, including five boundaries.
Nawaz counterattacked with fluent strokeplay, reaching his second consecutive ODI half-century as Pakistan crossed 200. Arafat Minhas provided valuable support, and their 78-run partnership ended when Jamie Overton bowled Nawaz for 79 off 74 balls, including five fours and four sixes.
Minhas continued to anchor the innings alongside Faheem Ashraf, who accelerated the scoring with a flurry of boundaries. Their partnership helped Pakistan cross 250 before Baker dismissed Minhas for an impressive 59 off 58 deliveries, featuring nine boundaries, leaving the hosts at 283-7 after 48 overs.
Faheem contributed 39 off 25 balls, including five fours and a six, before Sam Curran dismissed him.
Captain Shaheen Afridi struck back-to-back boundaries to push Pakistan to 294-8 entering the final over. Baker claimed his third wicket by dismissing Naseem Shah for one, conceding eight runs in the over.
Shaheen remained unbeaten on 10, while Haris Rauf was four not out as Pakistan finished on 302-9, recovering from a disastrous start through valuable middle- and lower-order contributions.
For England, Sonny Baker led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Gus Atkinson claimed two. Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid and Sam Curran picked up one wicket apiece.
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Half-centuries from Hasan Nawaz and Arafat Minhas helped Pakistan recover from an early batting wobble to post 302 in the second match of the ODI tri-series against England at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Pakistan endured an early batting collapse as Gus Atkinson struck off the first ball, dismissing opener Fakhar Zaman, while Sonny Baker removed Saim Ayub for eight after a 31-run second-wicket stand.
Babar Azam attempted to steady the innings, scoring 34 off 52 balls with four boundaries, but Will Jacks dismissed him to leave Pakistan struggling at 59-3 in 14.2 overs.
Salman Ali Agha, who scored a century in the opening match, managed just 16 before falling to Adil Rashid. Then Saad Baig Nawaz rebuilt the innings, adding 51 runs before Atkinson dismissed Saad for 35 off 54 deliveries, including five boundaries.
Nawaz counterattacked with fluent strokeplay, reaching his second consecutive ODI half-century as Pakistan crossed 200. Arafat Minhas provided valuable support, and their 78-run partnership ended when Jamie Overton bowled Nawaz for 79 off 74 balls, including five fours and four sixes.
Minhas continued to anchor the innings alongside Faheem Ashraf, who accelerated the scoring with a flurry of boundaries. Their partnership helped Pakistan cross 250 before Baker dismissed Minhas for an impressive 59 off 58 deliveries, featuring nine boundaries, leaving the hosts at 283-7 after 48 overs.
Faheem contributed 39 off 25 balls, including five fours and a six, before Sam Curran dismissed him.
Captain Shaheen Afridi struck back-to-back boundaries to push Pakistan to 294-8 entering the final over. Baker claimed his third wicket by dismissing Naseem Shah for one, conceding eight runs in the over.
Shaheen remained unbeaten on 10, while Haris Rauf was four not out as Pakistan finished on 302-9, recovering from a disastrous start through valuable middle- and lower-order contributions.
For England, Sonny Baker led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Gus Atkinson claimed two. Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid and Sam Curran picked up one wicket apiece.
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Pakistan, Sri Lanka fined for slow over-rate in ODI tri-series opener
The International Cricket Council (ICC) penalised Pakistan and Sri Lanka for slow over-rates during the opening match of the ODI tri-series, which also features England, in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
According to the ICC, Pakistan have been fined 10% of their match fee while Sri Lanka were penalised for 5% of the match fee.
On-field umpires Asif Yaqoob and Wayne Knights, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi levelled the charges.
Jeff Crowe, the match referee, imposed the sanctions after Pakistan were ruled to be two overs short and Sri Lanka were ruled to be one over short after time allowances were taken into consideration.
“In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time,” the ICC said in a statement.
Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and his Sri Lankan counterpart Kusal Mendis pleaded guilty and accepted the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for formal hearings.
Salman Ali Agha’s century and a clinical bowling performance guided Pakistan to a 37-run win over Sri Lanka in the opening match.
Chasing a target of 306, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs as Pakistan’s bowlers, led by captain Shaheen Afridi, delivered an impressive performance.
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Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in ODI tri-series opener
Salman Ali Agha’s century and a clinical bowling performance guided Pakistan to a 37-run win over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the ODI tri-nation series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 306, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs as Pakistan’s bowlers, led by captain Shaheen Afridi, delivered an impressive performance.
Sri Lanka lost Avishka Fernando for five in the sixth over after a 30-run opening stand with Kamindu Mendis. Skipper Kusal Mendis joined Kamindu, but their 36-run partnership ended when Faheem Ashraf dismissed Kusal for 18, leaving Sri Lanka at 66-2.
Kamindu scored 44 off 50 deliveries before Shaheen removed him, then struck again to dismiss Sahan Arachchige for three as Sri Lanka slipped to 91-4.
Pavan Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage revived the innings with a crucial 119-run partnership for the fifth wicket, taking Sri Lanka past 200. Rathnayake registered his maiden ODI half-century and went on to score 79 off 74 deliveries, including six fours and two sixes, before Faheem broke the stand.
Liyanage continued the fight, reaching his eighth ODI half-century, while Dasun Shanaka added quick runs. Their 43-run partnership ended when Haris Rauf dismissed Liyanage for 60 off 74 balls, including five boundaries, leaving Sri Lanka at 253-6.
Shaheen then removed Shanaka for 28 off 18 deliveries, including three fours and a six, further denting Sri Lanka’s hopes.
Naseem Shah dismissed Sachindu Colombage for one, while Eshan Malinga was run out for two following a mix-up between the batters.
Haris wrapped up the innings by dismissing Asitha Fernando for seven, sealing Pakistan’s 37-run win.
Shaheen led Pakistan’s bowling attack with figures of 3-55 in 10 overs, while Naseem, Haris and Faheem claimed two wickets each.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Pakistan made a positive start as openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub added 23 runs before Dilshan Madushanka dismissed Saim for seven in the fourth over.
Madushanka struck again in the sixth over, removing Fakhar for 16 as Pakistan slipped to 32-2.
Babar Azam and debutant Saad Baig then steadied the innings with a 74-run partnership, taking Pakistan past 100. Eshan Malinga broke the stand by dismissing Babar for 45 off 57 balls, including six fours, before removing Saad for 39 off 40 deliveries, featuring three boundaries and two sixes.
Salman and Hasan Nawaz rebuilt the innings with a 97-run partnership, helping Pakistan cross 200. Hasan scored 37 off 49 balls before Asitha Fernando dismissed him at 215-5.
Salman continued to accelerate the scoring, adding 64 runs with Arafat Minhas, who made a brisk 18 off 15 deliveries, before reaching his fourth ODI century. Fernando dismissed Arafat and then removed Salman, who top-scored with 107 off 90 balls, including 10 fours and a six.
Malinga claimed his third wicket by dismissing Faheem Ashraf for six, then came close to a hat-trick when Naseem Shah fell for a duck. Haris Rauf survived the hat-trick delivery after an unsuccessful leg-before-wicket appeal.
Captain Shaheen Afridi contributed an unbeaten 13 off 12 balls as Pakistan crossed 300, with Haris run out on the final delivery.
For Sri Lanka, Malinga took 4-46 in 9.5 overs, while Fernando claimed three wickets and Madushanka two.
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A hundred from Salman Ali Agha helped Pakistan put up a formidable total against Sri Lanka in the first match of the ODI tri-series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Pakistan, however, failed to capitalise fully on their strong position, surrendering their last five wickets for only 26 runs. Reduced from 279-5 to 305 all out, the hosts struggled against the bowling of Eshan Malinga and Asitha Fernando.
After being asked to bat first, Pakistan were bowled out for 305 in 49.5 overs, with Salman leading from the front and receiving valuable support from Babar Azam, debutant Saad Baig and Hasan Nawaz.
The Green Shirts made a positive start as openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub looked to build momentum, finding boundaries at regular intervals and putting together a promising opening partnership.
However, Saim was the first batter to depart, falling to Dilshan Madushanka in the fourth over. His dismissal ended the 23-run opening stand, with the left-hander scoring seven off eight deliveries, including a six.
Madushanka struck again in the sixth over, dismissing Fakhar for 16 off 19 deliveries, including two fours and a six. The early setbacks left Pakistan struggling at 32-2 after 5.5 overs.
Babar was joined by debutant Saad Baig, and the pair steadied the innings with a crucial third-wicket partnership. Both batters countered the Sri Lankan bowling attack effectively, guiding Pakistan past the 100-run mark.
Their 74-run partnership was eventually broken by Eshan Malinga, who claimed his first wicket of the innings by dismissing Babar for a well-compiled 45 off 57 deliveries, including six boundaries. Pakistan were reduced to 106-3 after 19.4 overs.
Just one over later, Malinga struck again, removing wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig for a valuable 39 off 40 deliveries. The debutant struck three boundaries and two sixes during his impressive knock.
Hasan Nawaz and Salman then steadied Pakistan’s innings with a crucial fifth-wicket partnership, accelerating the scoring and shifting the momentum in their side’s favour.
Salman brought up his 10th ODI half-century as the pair stitched together a valuable partnership of more than 50 runs, guiding Pakistan past the 200-run mark.
However, their 97-run stand was eventually broken by Asitha Fernando, who dismissed Hasan for 37 off 49 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes. His departure left Pakistan at 215-5 after 37.2 overs.
Salman continued his sublime form with the bat, sharing a valuable 50-run partnership with Arafat Minhas to take Pakistan past the 250-run mark before bringing up his fourth ODI century.
Fernando then claimed his second wicket by breaking the 64-run partnership and dismissing Arafat, who scored a brisk 18 off 15 deliveries, including two boundaries. Pakistan were reduced to 279-6 after 45 overs.
Fernando struck again to remove the in-form Salman, who top-scored with an exceptional 107 off 90 deliveries, featuring 10 boundaries and a six.
Pakistan lost another wicket when Eshan Malinga claimed his third scalp by dismissing Faheem Ashraf, who scored a run-a-ball six.
Malinga then came close to completing a hat-trick when he dismissed Naseem Shah for a duck on the next delivery. However, Haris Rauf survived the hat-trick ball after it passed the stumps, with Sri Lanka’s appeal for leg before wicket (LBW) unsuccessful.
Pakistan crossed the 300-run mark as captain Shaheen Afridi chipped in with valuable runs in the closing stages of the innings.
Malinga delivered the final over, conceding five runs as Pakistan’s innings came to an end with Shaheen unbeaten on 13 off 12 deliveries, while Haris was run out.
For Sri Lanka, Eshan Malinga led the bowling attack with impressive figures of 4/46 in 9.5 overs. Asitha Fernando claimed three wickets, while Dilshan Madushanka chipped in with two scalps.
