RAWALPINDI, Pakistan — Sri Lanka pulled off a sensational run chase to defeat England by two wickets, scoring 430-8 to complete the second-highest successful chase in One-Day International (ODI) history on Thursday.
Janith Liyanage smashed a six off the penultimate ball to seal the remarkable victory, overshadowing England captain Harry Brook’s record-breaking double century.
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Chasing a daunting target of 430, Sri Lanka held their nerve despite losing two wickets to fast bowler Josh Tongue in the final over. Needing eight runs from the last six balls, Liyanage delivered under pressure, finishing unbeaten on 61 off just 27 deliveries to guide his side home at 430-8.
Earlier, Brook produced a stunning innings of 202 off 116 balls, recording the fastest double century in ODI history and becoming the first England batter to score an ODI double hundred. His explosive knock powered England to a massive 429-4 after Sri Lanka elected to bowl first.
Brook struck 21 fours and 10 sixes as England posted their first-ever 400-plus ODI total in Pakistan.
However, Sri Lanka responded with an extraordinary batting display of their own, led by Pavan Rathnayake, who scored 130, and valuable contributions from Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka, who both made 97.
Sri Lanka suffered an early setback at 24-2 before Rathnayake and Fernando rebuilt the innings with a crucial 166-run partnership for the third wicket.
Rathnayake then joined forces with Shanaka to accelerate the chase, putting together a blistering 133-run stand off just 79 balls to keep Sri Lanka firmly in contention.
Rathnayake struck 15 fours and three sixes, while Shanaka smashed eight sixes and six fours in a powerful counterattack against England’s bowling attack.
Liyanage then took charge in the closing stages, delivering the decisive blows to complete one of the most remarkable run chases in ODI cricket.
South Africa remain the record holders for the highest successful ODI chase, having chased down 435 against Australia in Johannesburg in 2006.
Despite Brook’s historic individual performance, Sri Lanka’s collective batting effort proved decisive in a high-scoring thriller in Rawalpindi.
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