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RESULTODI6th Match · Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
England vs Sri Lanka
England won by 55 runs
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl
- Match
- England vs Sri Lanka, 6th Match
- Date
- 29 Oct 2026 to 29 Oct 2026
- Start
- 13:30 IST · 08:00 GMT
- Venue
- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Toss
- Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl
Venue guide
- Capacity
- 27,000
- Opened
- 1959
- Ends
- Pavilion End, College End
- Home to
- Lahore
- Floodlights
- Yes
| Ben DuckettEngland · Batter | 167 (132)Bat · R (B) | 244s | 06s | 126.5SR | c Asitha Fernando b Eshan MalingaOut |
ENGEngland 386/5 (50.0)
SLSri Lanka 331 (45.1)
RUNS PER OVER
SCORE BY OVER
Final overs
Full commentary- England finally have a result to smile about, signing off with a win after a frustrating run of three defeats in games where they had their chances. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will take plenty of heart from their batting effort tonight, even if their bowlers have a few questions to answer. The lack of a fifth bowling option remains a concern for Sri Lanka, but it remains to be seen whether they tinker with this combination ahead of Saturday’s final against Pakistan. That’s all from us for tonight. We will be back on Saturday, nice and early, for what promises to be an exciting final. Until then, thank you for your company, take care, and goodbye!
- Harry Brook | England captain: [On their batting performance] Yeah, I think we've batted really well, apart from that first game, throughout the series, really. I think we've put on a fairly dominant performance with the bat, and then I think the way that we finished the game off there, we've learned a lot from that game when they chased 430. So that's really good to see. [On their plans] I wasn't getting nervy, to be honest. We had a clear plan, and we had a lot of clarity at the top of the mark with the bowlers. The ball was getting a lot softer with the dew as well, so I think that played a little bit of a factor. But yeah, the lads have learned a hell of a lot from that game we played them a couple of days ago, and to finish the game off like we did there was an exceptional effort. [I think collectively plenty to take forward?] Yeah, obviously we haven't had the series that we'd have wanted coming here. We would have obviously liked to be in the final on Saturday, but unfortunately we're not. And yeah, I think the lads have taken a lot of confidence from this series, albeit on the wrong side, I know, but lads are scoring runs, lads are taking wickets, they've got a lot of clarity at the top of the mark, and you can take a lot of confidence from that as well. So all in all, despite the losses, it's been a good series. It's been a good series.
- Kusal Mendis | Sri Lanka captain: [Did you think 400 was possible, and were you happy with chasing 387 on this surface?] Yeah, of course. I think we batted very well in middle and powerplay. Unfortunately, we (made) a little mistake myself. I did a couple of mistakes. That's why we can't chase this score. But I'm happy with my batting, we have played a very good game today. [Is conceding more than 380 runs on two occasions a concern?] I think the surface is good for the batters, and our bowling unit bowled really well (in the) first couple of overs. I think the guys batted really well and bowled really well. Last 15 overs, (we) bowled really well in death overs. Then I think 380, a little bit okay score in this pitch, but we (had) to chase this total. [How important was scoring runs personally ahead of Saturday's final?] I'm very happy I scored runs today. In the final, I have to bat more than today. I hope I can give 100% to my team.
- Ben Duckett | Player of the Match: [Does this win feel better after England's long wait?] Yeah, 100%. You just want to score runs and put us in a good position, and to get over the line is great. Yeah, we've played some great cricket, just haven't got the right side of the result. [What is it about Pakistani pitches that suits your batting?] I'll be honest, they're just really good pitches to bat on. You've seen the amount of runs in the series. So yeah, I think my previous tours of coming out there here has probably helped, but it's a great place to bat. [How important have your batting partners been in building these big stands at the top?] Yeah, Banton has been superb coming in at the top of the order, taking a lot of pressure off me. He scores very freely, and when Brooky walks out at number three, you know things are going to happen pretty quickly.
- 21:04 Local Time, 16:04 GMT, 21:34 IST: Harry Brook and Joe Root look slightly relieved as they walk back for the handshakes. England will head home with something to show for their efforts - a win after three defeats in matches they could have easily won. With Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake leading the charge at the top, Sri Lanka looked set to pull off another remarkable chase, much like they did in Rawalpindi. But England kept chipping away at the right moments, broke the key partnerships and eventually secured a 55-run win. Mendis made 89 off 71 before falling to Root, caught down the leg side. Janith Liyanage chipped in with 27 off 17, while Sahan Arachchige made 30. Both stitched together fiery stands with Rathnayake, adding 72 off 38 balls and 57 off 41 balls respectively to keep Sri Lanka in the hunt. Rathnayake smashed 118 off just 77 deliveries, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt for as long as he was at the crease. However, once Liam Dawson dismissed him in the 45th over, England wrapped up the game quickly. The left-arm spinner finished with figures of 4/49, emerging as England’s standout performer with the ball.
- Over 46 · 0 runs (W) · 1 wkt
- 45.1WSam Curran to Eshan Malinga, out Bowled!! Knocked over, and Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 331! A consolation win for England as they emerge victorious by 55 runs. The left-hander swings across the line, but the ball tails in just enough to beat him on the inside edge and shatters the leg stump. Eshan Malinga b Sam Curran 1(4)
- Sam Curran to Eshan Malinga, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!
- Dilshan Madushanka, right handed bat, comes to the crease
- End of over 45 · 6 runs (4 W 0 1 1 W) · 2 wktSL 331/9Asitha Fernando 1(3) · Eshan Malinga 1(3) · Liam Dawson 10-0-49-4
- 44.6WLiam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, out Caught by Tom Banton!! A match-winning spell from Liam Dawson in this high-scoring affair! Fittingly, he finishes with another wicket, his fourth of the innings. He ends with figures of 4/49, his best in ODIs. Nicely tossed up, landing on the seam, and the right-hander miscues the heave down the ground. The fielder at long-on runs across and takes a superb sliding catch to his left. Asitha Fernando c Tom Banton b Liam Dawson 1(3)
- Liam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
- 44.51Liam Dawson to Eshan Malinga, 1 run, flatter on the middle, Eshan Malinga tucks it to mid-wicket right in front of his pads
- 44.41Liam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, 1 run, doesn't get much power behind it as Asitha Fernando hits it down the ground for a single
- 44.3•Liam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, no run, fires it just outside off and Asitha Fernando swings hard after making room, but makes no connection
- Asitha Fernando, right handed bat, comes to the crease
- 44.2WLiam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, out Caught by Sonny Baker!! Liam Dawson gets the big fish, and Pavan Rathnayake is gone! This should seal the game for England. Dawson keeps it flatter on the stumps, and the right-hander gets a top edge on the sweep. The ball flies straight into the hands of the fielder at short fine leg. What a massive breakthrough! End of another superb knock, but Pavan Rathnayake has failed to get his team over the line. Pavan Rathnayake c Sonny Baker b Liam Dawson 118(77) [4s-15 6s-1]
- Liam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
- 44.14Liam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, a top edge on the slog sweep, and it goes high in the air towards deep square leg. The fielder can’t get across in time, and the ball runs away to the boundary for four
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tom Bantonb Dasun Shanaka | 74 | 75 | 8 | 2 | 98.7 |
| Ben Duckettc Asitha Fernando b Eshan Malinga | 167 | 132 | 24 | 0 | 126.5 |
| Harry Brookc & b Asitha Fernando | 44 | 34 | 3 | 2 | 129.4 |
| Will Jacksb Asitha Fernando | 30 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 142.9 |
| Jordan Coxc Sahan Arachchige b Dilshan Madushanka | 43 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 159.3 |
| Sam Curran*not out | 21 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 175.0 |
Extras7 (b 1, lb 0, w 5, nb 1)
Total386/5 (50.0 ov, RR 7.72)
Did not bat: Joe Root, Liam Dawson, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Henry Crocombe
Fall of wickets: 163-1 (Tom Banton, 25.0 ov), 270-2 (Harry Brook, 37.3 ov), 301-3 (Ben Duckett, 41.4 ov), 341-4 (Will Jacks, 45.2 ov), 386-5 (Jordan Cox, 50.0 ov)
| Bowler · SL | O | M | R | W | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asitha Fernando | 10 | 1 | 63 | 2 | 6.30 |
| Dilshan Madushanka | 9 | 0 | 64 | 1 | 7.11 |
| Eshan Malinga | 10 | 0 | 101 | 1 | 10.10 |
| Dunith Wellalage | 10 | 0 | 75 | 0 | 7.50 |
| Sahan Arachchige | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 9.00 |
| Janith Liyanage | 2 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 7.50 |
| Dasun Shanaka | 7 | 0 | 49 | 1 | 7.00 |
England- 1Tom BantonWicketkeeper
- 2Ben DuckettBatter
- 3Joe RootBatter
- 4Harry Brook(c)Batter
- 5Jordan Cox(wk)Wicketkeeper
- 6Sam CurranAll-rounder
- 7Will JacksAll-rounder
- 8Liam DawsonAll-rounder
- 9Gus AtkinsonAll-rounder
- 10Sonny BakerBowler
- 11Henry CrocombeBowler
Bench
Sri Lanka- 1Kamindu MendisAll-rounder
- 2Avishka FernandoBatter
- 3Kusal Mendis(c)(wk)Wicketkeeper
- 4Pavan RathnayakeBatter
- 5Janith LiyanageAll-rounder
- 6Dasun ShanakaAll-rounder
- 7Sahan ArachchigeAll-rounder
- 8Dunith WellalageAll-rounder
- 9Eshan MalingaBowler
- 10Asitha FernandoBowler
- 11Dilshan MadushankaBowler
Bench
- 45.1WSam Curran to Eshan Malinga, out Bowled!! Knocked over, and Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 331! A consolation win for England as they emerge victorious by 55 runs. The left-hander swings across the line, but the ball tails in just enough to beat him on the inside edge and shatters the leg stump. Eshan Malinga b Sam Curran 1(4)
- 44.6WLiam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, out Caught by Tom Banton!! A match-winning spell from Liam Dawson in this high-scoring affair! Fittingly, he finishes with another wicket, his fourth of the innings. He ends with figures of 4/49, his best in ODIs. Nicely tossed up, landing on the seam, and the right-hander miscues the heave down the ground. The fielder at long-on runs across and takes a superb sliding catch to his left. Asitha Fernando c Tom Banton b Liam Dawson 1(3)
- 44.2WLiam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, out Caught by Sonny Baker!! Liam Dawson gets the big fish, and Pavan Rathnayake is gone! This should seal the game for England. Dawson keeps it flatter on the stumps, and the right-hander gets a top edge on the sweep. The ball flies straight into the hands of the fielder at short fine leg. What a massive breakthrough! End of another superb knock, but Pavan Rathnayake has failed to get his team over the line. Pavan Rathnayake c Sonny Baker b Liam Dawson 118(77) [4s-15 6s-1]
- 44.14Liam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, a top edge on the slog sweep, and it goes high in the air towards deep square leg. The fielder can’t get across in time, and the ball runs away to the boundary for four
- 43.34Sam Curran to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, full and wide, Pavan Rathnayake opens the bat face and sends it to deep backward point for a boundary
- 43.2WSam Curran to Dunith Wellalage, out Dunith Wellalage Run Out!! Oh, who’s been run out here? A horrid mix-up, and it looks like Dunith Wellalage has sacrificed his wicket! A slower delivery into the stumps, and Wellalage pats it towards backward point before getting caught ball-watching. Meanwhile, his partner Rathnayake is almost at the striker’s end, standing alongside Wellalage. Curran doesn’t remove the bails immediately and could probably have had Rathnayake run out. But by the time he finally breaks the stumps at the non-striker’s end, Wellalage has stepped out of his crease at the striker's end. The replays confirm it - Wellalage is the one who has to walk back! Dunith Wellalage run out (Joe Root/Sam Curran) 1(4)
- 42.64H Crocombe to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, poor effort from the fielder at sweeper cover! Offered some width, and the batter crunches it off the front foot towards sweeper cover. The fielder gets across and slides over the ball, allowing it to race away to the boundary for four
- 42.3WH Crocombe to Sahan Arachchige, out Caught by Harry Brook!! In the air, and taken at long-on! Sahan Arachchige gets a length ball on the stumps and looks to clear the boundary, but fails to get the timing right. Brook settles underneath it and takes a comfortable catch at long-on. The 57-run stand has been broken, and this is exactly what England needed. If they can now find a way to dismiss Rathnayake, they will be right on top of the game. Sahan Arachchige c Harry Brook b H Crocombe 30(24) [4s-4]
- 42.14H Crocombe to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, proper hit-me delivery! Half volley outside off and Pavan Rathnayake hammers the drive past extra cover for a boundary
- 41.6CCenturySam Curran to Pavan Rathnayake, 1 run, Pavan Rathnayake is having a series to remember! Scores of 79, 130, 23* and now another hundred in a big chase. He was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s successful pursuit of 430, and once again, he’s standing tall in another massive chase. But he knows the job is far from done. His third ODI hundred, brought up with a gentle push down to long-on! He removes his helmet and soaks in the applause from the crowd, while his teammates are up on their feet to applaud a magnificent knock
- 39.6OTeam milestoneSonny Baker to Pavan Rathnayake, 1 run, whips this to deep mid-wicket and retains the strike. 300 up for SL
- 39.54Sonny Baker to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, shot! Fullish angling in and Pavan Rathnayake backs away a bit and lifts it towards deep extra cover for a good-looking boundary
- 39.24Sonny Baker to Sahan Arachchige, FOUR, gets the width and the left-hander rocks back and slashes it to deep backward point for a boundary. Sri Lanka are keeping the required rate very much in check
- 38.34Gus Atkinson to Sahan Arachchige, FOUR, the runs keep flowing for Sri Lanka! Overpitched outside off, and the left-hander opens the bat face on the drive, threading it between point and backward point for four runs
- 36.24Joe Root to Sahan Arachchige, FOUR, really good! Uses the pace as he stays back and then opens the bat face at the last second to beat the short third to his right for back-to-back fours
- 36.14Joe Root to Sahan Arachchige, FOUR, easy pickings for Sahan Arachchige! Tossed up outside off and Sahan Arachchige prods forward and powers the drive through extra cover for a boundary
- 35.4WSonny Baker to Janith Liyanage, out Caught by Harry Brook!! Sonny Baker gets his revenge on the very next delivery! Janith Liyanage could have been really dangerous at this stage of the game, but he’s gone. Fuller and angling in, the right-hander ends up driving it straight to mid-off, where the fielder takes a good catch moving to his left. Baker punches the air in delight before the other players join him in celebration! Janith Liyanage c Harry Brook b Sonny Baker 27(17) [4s-1 6s-3]
- 35.34Sonny Baker to Janith Liyanage, FOUR, brilliantly done! Back of a length, and the right-hander arches back to upper-cut it over short third for a boundary. What a quality shot
- 35.14Sonny Baker to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, shot! Makes a bit of room for this length delivery and opens the bat face to time it through deep point for a boundary
- 34.44Liam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, marginally short and Pavan Rathnayake rocks back and launches it towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary
- 33.46Sam Curran to Janith Liyanage, SIX, wow! Another short delivery, but not enough pace to trouble the right-hander. His eyes light up as he hammers the pull over deep mid-wicket for a 77-metre six
- 32.44Will Jacks to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, proving to be an entertaining stand. This was on the shorter side again, Pavan Rathnayake rocks back in the crease and pulls it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for four runs
- 32.34Will Jacks to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, full and wide outside off, Pavan Rathnayake throws his hands at it, punching it towards wide long-off. The fielder in the deep sprints across to his left and puts in a dive, but he fails to stop it. 37 runs have been scored off the last 14 balls
- 32.14Will Jacks to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, short and punished! Pavan Rathnayake rocks back and hammers it away to the deep square leg fence with a well connected sweep shot
- 31.54Sam Curran to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, consecutive boundaries and he brings up his fifty! This was on the fuller side outside off, a slower delivery and Pavan Rathnayake goes for a drive through the off-side, gets an outside edge that races away to the third man fence
- 31.44Sam Curran to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, slower delivery by Sam Curran, that's a moon ball. Pavan Rathnayake picks the full toss nicely and sweeps it away to the deep backward square leg fence
- 30.64Joe Root to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, swept away! 18 runs from that over, and Root will probably be taken off the attack after that. This was a loose delivery down the leg-side, and Pavan Rathnayake swept it away to the fine leg fence. Sri Lanka staying in the hunt as they have managed to keep the required run rate under the 10-run mark
- 30.36Joe Root to Janith Liyanage, SIX, two in two for Janith Liyanage. A tossed up delivery by Joe Root, right into the slot, Janith Liyanage clubs it over deep mid-wicket for six more. Cleared the fielder near the boundary comfortably
- 30.26Joe Root to Janith Liyanage, SIX, intentions clear by Janith Liyanage. Whippage! A tossed up delivery on middle and leg, Janith Liyanage picks the line early and whips it over deep square leg for a clean six
- 29.2WLiam Dawson to Dasun Shanaka, out Lbw!! Review taken by England for an lbw! But was there bat involved? Nope, there wasn't any bat involved. That's an excellent review by England. Dasun Shanaka was down the wicket to have a wild swing, but connects thin air. Gets hit on the shoe, and the replays confirm three reds. Nothing on UltraEdge, and it was crashing into the leg-stump. There was dip and a bit of drift as well, and despite no bat being involved, it looked like the ball might be going down leg. But Hawk-Eye suggests it would have straightened 90 degrees after pitching and gone on to crash into leg stump. Dasun Shanaka can't believe it as he starts walking back to the pavilion. Such a fantastic spell this has been from Liam Dawson. He has picked up a couple of wickets, and his economy has been impressive too. Dasun Shanaka lbw b Liam Dawson 4(11)
- 26.2WJoe Root to Kusal Mendis, out Caught by Jordan Cox!! England have reviewed for a caught behind! Has Kusal Mendis nicked it? He has already started walking off as he punches the bat in frustration. Waiting for UltraEdge. And yes, it shows a spike. This was a touch fuller on leg, Kusal Mendis went for a sweep and got a slight bottom edge, confirm the replays. Taken by the keeper behind the wickets as the man with the golden arm - Joe Root strikes. How often have we seen this from Root. Comes into the attack and breaks a crucial partnership. End of a fine knock by the Sri Lankan skipper. Kusal Mendis c Jordan Cox b Joe Root 89(71) [4s-8 6s-5]
- 25.14Gus Atkinson to Kusal Mendis, FOUR, drifting on the pads, Kusal Mendis flicks this away to the fine leg fence. Moves to 87*
- 24.56Will Jacks to Kusal Mendis, SIX, no stopping Kusal Mendis. He's on a roll. Shimmies down the wicket and smokes the tossed up delivery right over the bowler's head as the ball sails into the sightscreen. Will Jacks proving to be expensive
- 24.34Will Jacks to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, full and wide outside off, Pavan Rathnayake reaches out for it and drills it through cover for a boundary more
- 23.64Gus Atkinson to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, with the fielder inside the circle, Pavan Rathnayake takes the aerial route and finds the boundary. A full length delivery around middle and leg, Pavan Rathnayake eyes the long-on region and lofts this cleanly, ending the over with a boundary
- 23.3OTeam milestoneGus Atkinson to Pavan Rathnayake, 1 run, 150 up as Pavan Rathnayake goes for a flashy drive, getting an inside edge towards the keeper
- 23.26Gus Atkinson to Pavan Rathnayake, SIX, that shall give him some confidence. Pitched up by the bowler outside off, Pavan Rathnayake goes deep in his crease and plays a beautiful lofted drive with a high elbow. Goes the distance quite comfortably
- 21.26Sonny Baker to Kusal Mendis, SIX, easy pickings! Drifting on the pads, Kusal Mendis flicks it over fine leg for half-a-dozen. Moves into the 70s with that maximum
- 19.16Sonny Baker to Kusal Mendis, SIX, Kusal Mendis is in the zone tonight! Picks the length early, and pulls the short ball over deep mid-wicket for a clean six. Looked like a maximum the moment he made contact. Sonny Baker under pressure having conceded six on the first ball of the over
- 18.24Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, FOUR, short and punished! Rocks back in the crease and hammers this short ball away to the deep mid-wicket fence. Good transfer of his weight on to the back foot
- 17.6FFiftyH Crocombe to Kusal Mendis, 1 run, fifty for Kusal Mendis! On the shorter side outside off, Kusal Mendis steers it towards short third man and brings up his fifty. Just a gentle raise of his bat to celebrate as he knows Sri Lanka are miles away from the target. The required run rate is inching closer to the 9-run mark
- 16.54Liam Dawson to Kusal Mendis, FOUR, 100 up for Sri Lanka! Fraction short outside off, Kusal Mendis rocks back in the crease and carves it through the gap between backward point and short third man. Has enough legs to race away to the fence
- 16.3WLiam Dawson to Avishka Fernando, out Caught by Will Jacks!! That was a pretty good shot by Avishka Fernando, but he finds the fielder at wide long-off. Was timed pretty well as he was down the wicket to play the lofted drive, however, Jacks at wide long-off charges across to his left and takes a well judged catch in the outfield. Avishka Fernando falls just two runs short of a well deserved fifty. Liam Dawson is pumped up as the England players charge towards him and celebrate with him. Avishka Fernando c Will Jacks b Liam Dawson 48(50) [4s-8 6s-1]
- 15.64H Crocombe to Avishka Fernando, FOUR, good over for Sri Lanka. Not an ideal start to Henry Crocombe's spell. Full on middle and leg, Avishka Fernando whips it off his pads and picks up his third boundary of the over
- 15.44H Crocombe to Avishka Fernando, FOUR, this helps. Back-to-back boundaries. Angled into the pads, Avishka Fernando helps it down to fine leg with a pull. Bounces just inside the ropes at fine leg
- 15.34H Crocombe to Avishka Fernando, FOUR, slot delivery from Henry Crocombe. Avishka Fernando clears his front foot and pumps it over wide mid-on. Sri Lanka need more of these
- 13.64Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, FOUR, excellent shot from Kusal Mendis. Opens the bat face a touch to find the gap on the off-side. Was a slower delivery around off-stump. Kusal Mendis leans onto the front foot and drills it past mid-off
- 12.16Liam Dawson to Avishka Fernando, SIX, short from Liam Dawson and Avishka Fernando picks the length so quickly. He is on the back foot and smokes the pull over mid-wicket fence. Good start to the over for Sri Lanka
- 11.64Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, FOUR, four more. Fuller in length outside off, Kusal Mendis drives it straight down the ground. Mid-off was wider and has no chance of stopping that
- 11.54Sam Curran to Kusal Mendis, FOUR, much needed boundary for Sri Lanka. Kusal Mendis sits back and swivels across to help the ball to deep backward square leg. Was angled into pads on a back of a length. Picks up four
- 8.44Gus Atkinson to Avishka Fernando, FOUR, fuller in length outside off. Avishka leans into the front foot and creams the drive through the covers. Elegant shot and beautifully timed by Avishka Fernando. He held his pose for the cameras
- 8.34Gus Atkinson to Avishka Fernando, FOUR, in the air and through the gap on the on-side. Was fraction short outside off, Avishka Fernando gets it high on the bat as he pulls it to the on-side. Was in the air, but the ball goes through the gap between mid-wicket and mid-on for four
- 7.56Sonny Baker to Kusal Mendis, SIX, in the slot and is dispatched from his presence. Clears his front foot and swings through the line and the ball flies way into the long-on stands for his second six of the over
- 7.26Sonny Baker to Kusal Mendis, SIX, Kusal Mendis was waiting for the short ball and he gets one. Is quick to move back and power the pull in front of square on the on-side. He never intended to hit it down and the ball flies over the ropes comfortably
- 7.14Sonny Baker to Kusal Mendis, FOUR, Kusal Mendis is on a roll. He sees the full delivery and smashes it straight down the ground. Sonny Baker tries to stop it, but the ball was hit so hard that he couldn't get anywhere close to it
- 6.54Gus Atkinson to Kusal Mendis, FOUR, short and angling in. Kusal Mendis rocks on the back foot and pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary
- 5.44Sonny Baker to Avishka Fernando, FOUR, too full on the pads. Avishka Fernando shuffles across his stumps and flicks it to square leg. His bat turns as the ball makes contact, but the timing is so good that the ball beats the chase and races for four
- 5.14Sonny Baker to Avishka Fernando, FOUR, short delivery into the pads. Avishka Fernando goes on the back foot and pulls it with one leg up in the air. The ball flies off the bat and goes to deep square leg fence in a hurry
- 3.5WSonny Baker to Kamindu Mendis, out Bowled!! Sonny Baker has cleaned him up. Sonny Baker kept troubling both the batters with his swing. This time he has found the gap between bat/pad and shattered the stumps. This was bowled at 140.5ks around off-stump. The ball comes into the left-hander and beats the defence of Kamindu Mendis, who was on the front foot trying to keep it out. He hears the stumps rattle and his short stay at the crease comes to an end. Sonny Baker jumps in the air and pumps his wrist to celebrate the dismissal. Kamindu Mendis b Sonny Baker 4(11) [4s-1]
- 2.5DDropped catchGus Atkinson to Avishka Fernando, 1 run, dropped! Sonny Baker was the fielder at fine leg, who runs forward and dives to catch it. He got both hands to it, but fails to hang onto the catch. This was short and down the leg-side. Avishka Fernando pulls it uppishly behind sqaure on the on-side and gets away with it
- 2.24Gus Atkinson to Avishka Fernando, FOUR, good shot. Avishka Fernando goes on one leg and whips it to deep square leg. Was just short enough for Avishka Fernando go on the back foot and collect a boundary
- 0.34Gus Atkinson to Kamindu Mendis, FOUR, touch shorter around fourth stump line. Kamindu Mendis looks to punch and gets a thick edge that runs down fine towards third man. The fielder was wide and couldn't get near the ball
- England finally have a result to smile about, signing off with a win after a frustrating run of three defeats in games where they had their chances. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will take plenty of heart from their batting effort tonight, even if their bowlers have a few questions to answer. The lack of a fifth bowling option remains a concern for Sri Lanka, but it remains to be seen whether they tinker with this combination ahead of Saturday’s final against Pakistan. That’s all from us for tonight. We will be back on Saturday, nice and early, for what promises to be an exciting final. Until then, thank you for your company, take care, and goodbye!
- Harry Brook | England captain: [On their batting performance] Yeah, I think we've batted really well, apart from that first game, throughout the series, really. I think we've put on a fairly dominant performance with the bat, and then I think the way that we finished the game off there, we've learned a lot from that game when they chased 430. So that's really good to see. [On their plans] I wasn't getting nervy, to be honest. We had a clear plan, and we had a lot of clarity at the top of the mark with the bowlers. The ball was getting a lot softer with the dew as well, so I think that played a little bit of a factor. But yeah, the lads have learned a hell of a lot from that game we played them a couple of days ago, and to finish the game off like we did there was an exceptional effort. [I think collectively plenty to take forward?] Yeah, obviously we haven't had the series that we'd have wanted coming here. We would have obviously liked to be in the final on Saturday, but unfortunately we're not. And yeah, I think the lads have taken a lot of confidence from this series, albeit on the wrong side, I know, but lads are scoring runs, lads are taking wickets, they've got a lot of clarity at the top of the mark, and you can take a lot of confidence from that as well. So all in all, despite the losses, it's been a good series. It's been a good series.
- Kusal Mendis | Sri Lanka captain: [Did you think 400 was possible, and were you happy with chasing 387 on this surface?] Yeah, of course. I think we batted very well in middle and powerplay. Unfortunately, we (made) a little mistake myself. I did a couple of mistakes. That's why we can't chase this score. But I'm happy with my batting, we have played a very good game today. [Is conceding more than 380 runs on two occasions a concern?] I think the surface is good for the batters, and our bowling unit bowled really well (in the) first couple of overs. I think the guys batted really well and bowled really well. Last 15 overs, (we) bowled really well in death overs. Then I think 380, a little bit okay score in this pitch, but we (had) to chase this total. [How important was scoring runs personally ahead of Saturday's final?] I'm very happy I scored runs today. In the final, I have to bat more than today. I hope I can give 100% to my team.
- Ben Duckett | Player of the Match: [Does this win feel better after England's long wait?] Yeah, 100%. You just want to score runs and put us in a good position, and to get over the line is great. Yeah, we've played some great cricket, just haven't got the right side of the result. [What is it about Pakistani pitches that suits your batting?] I'll be honest, they're just really good pitches to bat on. You've seen the amount of runs in the series. So yeah, I think my previous tours of coming out there here has probably helped, but it's a great place to bat. [How important have your batting partners been in building these big stands at the top?] Yeah, Banton has been superb coming in at the top of the order, taking a lot of pressure off me. He scores very freely, and when Brooky walks out at number three, you know things are going to happen pretty quickly.
- 21:04 Local Time, 16:04 GMT, 21:34 IST: Harry Brook and Joe Root look slightly relieved as they walk back for the handshakes. England will head home with something to show for their efforts - a win after three defeats in matches they could have easily won. With Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake leading the charge at the top, Sri Lanka looked set to pull off another remarkable chase, much like they did in Rawalpindi. But England kept chipping away at the right moments, broke the key partnerships and eventually secured a 55-run win. Mendis made 89 off 71 before falling to Root, caught down the leg side. Janith Liyanage chipped in with 27 off 17, while Sahan Arachchige made 30. Both stitched together fiery stands with Rathnayake, adding 72 off 38 balls and 57 off 41 balls respectively to keep Sri Lanka in the hunt. Rathnayake smashed 118 off just 77 deliveries, keeping Sri Lanka in the hunt for as long as he was at the crease. However, once Liam Dawson dismissed him in the 45th over, England wrapped up the game quickly. The left-arm spinner finished with figures of 4/49, emerging as England’s standout performer with the ball.
- Over 46 · 0 runs (W) · 1 wkt
- 45.1WSam Curran to Eshan Malinga, out Bowled!! Knocked over, and Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 331! A consolation win for England as they emerge victorious by 55 runs. The left-hander swings across the line, but the ball tails in just enough to beat him on the inside edge and shatters the leg stump. Eshan Malinga b Sam Curran 1(4)
- Sam Curran to Eshan Malinga, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!
- Dilshan Madushanka, right handed bat, comes to the crease
- End of over 45 · 6 runs (4 W 0 1 1 W) · 2 wktSL 331/9Asitha Fernando 1(3) · Eshan Malinga 1(3) · Liam Dawson 10-0-49-4
- 44.6WLiam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, out Caught by Tom Banton!! A match-winning spell from Liam Dawson in this high-scoring affair! Fittingly, he finishes with another wicket, his fourth of the innings. He ends with figures of 4/49, his best in ODIs. Nicely tossed up, landing on the seam, and the right-hander miscues the heave down the ground. The fielder at long-on runs across and takes a superb sliding catch to his left. Asitha Fernando c Tom Banton b Liam Dawson 1(3)
- Liam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
- 44.51Liam Dawson to Eshan Malinga, 1 run, flatter on the middle, Eshan Malinga tucks it to mid-wicket right in front of his pads
- 44.41Liam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, 1 run, doesn't get much power behind it as Asitha Fernando hits it down the ground for a single
- 44.3•Liam Dawson to Asitha Fernando, no run, fires it just outside off and Asitha Fernando swings hard after making room, but makes no connection
- Asitha Fernando, right handed bat, comes to the crease
- 44.2WLiam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, out Caught by Sonny Baker!! Liam Dawson gets the big fish, and Pavan Rathnayake is gone! This should seal the game for England. Dawson keeps it flatter on the stumps, and the right-hander gets a top edge on the sweep. The ball flies straight into the hands of the fielder at short fine leg. What a massive breakthrough! End of another superb knock, but Pavan Rathnayake has failed to get his team over the line. Pavan Rathnayake c Sonny Baker b Liam Dawson 118(77) [4s-15 6s-1]
- Liam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
- 44.14Liam Dawson to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, a top edge on the slog sweep, and it goes high in the air towards deep square leg. The fielder can’t get across in time, and the ball runs away to the boundary for four
- Liam Dawson [9.0-0-43-2] is back into the attack
- End of over 44 · 5 runs (0 W 4 1 0 0) · 1 wktSL 325/7Eshan Malinga 0(2) · Pavan Rathnayake 114(75) · Sam Curran 7-1-44-0
- 43.6•Sam Curran to Eshan Malinga, no run, skids through off the length and Eshan Malinga gets an inside edge to the right of short fine leg. The single is on offer but Rathnayake rightly refuses it
- 43.5•Sam Curran to Eshan Malinga, no run, short of a good length and the left-hander defends off the back foot
- 43.41Sam Curran to Pavan Rathnayake, 1 run, nails the yorker just outside the off stump, Pavan Rathnayake can only squeeze it to sweeper cover
- 43.34Sam Curran to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, full and wide, Pavan Rathnayake opens the bat face and sends it to deep backward point for a boundary
- Eshan Malinga, left handed bat, comes to the crease
- 43.2WSam Curran to Dunith Wellalage, out Dunith Wellalage Run Out!! Oh, who’s been run out here? A horrid mix-up, and it looks like Dunith Wellalage has sacrificed his wicket! A slower delivery into the stumps, and Wellalage pats it towards backward point before getting caught ball-watching. Meanwhile, his partner Rathnayake is almost at the striker’s end, standing alongside Wellalage. Curran doesn’t remove the bails immediately and could probably have had Rathnayake run out. But by the time he finally breaks the stumps at the non-striker’s end, Wellalage has stepped out of his crease at the striker's end. The replays confirm it - Wellalage is the one who has to walk back! Dunith Wellalage run out (Joe Root/Sam Curran) 1(4)
- Sam Curran to Dunith Wellalage, THATS OUT!! Run Out!!
- Oh, who’s been run out here? A horrid mix-up, and it looks like Dunith Wellalage has sacrificed his wicket! A slower delivery into the stumps, and Wellalage pats it towards backward point before getting caught ball-watching. Meanwhile, his partner Rathnayake is almost at the striker’s end, standing alongside Wellalage.
- 43.1•Sam Curran to Dunith Wellalage, no run, on length close to off, Dunith Wellalage dabs it to backward point and fails to find a single
- End of over 43 · 10 runs (4 1 W 0 1 4) · 1 wktSL 320/6Pavan Rathnayake 109(73) · Dunith Wellalage 1(2) · Henry Crocombe 3-0-27-1
- 42.64H Crocombe to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, poor effort from the fielder at sweeper cover! Offered some width, and the batter crunches it off the front foot towards sweeper cover. The fielder gets across and slides over the ball, allowing it to race away to the boundary for four
- 42.51H Crocombe to Dunith Wellalage, 1 run, sliding down the leg, Dunith Wellalage nudges it through backward square leg and opens his account with a single
- 42.4•H Crocombe to Dunith Wellalage, no run, targets the pads and Dunith Wellalage works it defensively to mid-wicket
- Dunith Wellalage, left handed bat, comes to the crease
- 42.3WH Crocombe to Sahan Arachchige, out Caught by Harry Brook!! In the air, and taken at long-on! Sahan Arachchige gets a length ball on the stumps and looks to clear the boundary, but fails to get the timing right. Brook settles underneath it and takes a comfortable catch at long-on. The 57-run stand has been broken, and this is exactly what England needed. If they can now find a way to dismiss Rathnayake, they will be right on top of the game. Sahan Arachchige c Harry Brook b H Crocombe 30(24) [4s-4]
- H Crocombe to Sahan Arachchige, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
- 42.21H Crocombe to Pavan Rathnayake, 1 run, nails the yorker on the leg stump, Pavan Rathnayake does well to squeeze it to backward square leg for a single
- 42.14H Crocombe to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, proper hit-me delivery! Half volley outside off and Pavan Rathnayake hammers the drive past extra cover for a boundary
- Henry Crocombe [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack
- End of over 42 · 4 runs (1 0 1 0 1 1)SL 310/5Pavan Rathnayake 100(70) · Sahan Arachchige 30(23) · Sam Curran 6-1-39-0
- 41.61Sam Curran to Pavan Rathnayake, 1 run, Pavan Rathnayake is having a series to remember! Scores of 79, 130, 23* and now another hundred in a big chase. He was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s successful pursuit of 430, and once again, he’s standing tall in another massive chase. But he knows the job is far from done. His third ODI hundred, brought up with a gentle push down to long-on! He removes his helmet and soaks in the applause from the crowd, while his teammates are up on their feet to applaud a magnificent knock
- 41.51Sam Curran to Sahan Arachchige, 1 run, swipes this slower shortish delivery to deep mid-wicket and gets Rathnayake back on strike
- 41.4•Sam Curran to Sahan Arachchige, no run, a clever change of pace deceives the left-hander, who swings hard but misses as the ball sneaks past the leg stump
- 41.31Sam Curran to Pavan Rathnayake, 1 run, whips this fullish delivery to long-on and thinks of going back for two, but rightly decides against it
- 41.2•Sam Curran to Pavan Rathnayake, no run, dropped? Tough chance, to be honest! Run-out? No, Arachchige makes it back! Rathnayake chips this full toss back towards the bowler, who stretches out his left hand but it doesn't stick. His partner is also down the crease, but he makes it back in time before Curran gathers the ball and attempts a run-out. He seems to have hurt his finger as the physio comes out to have a look. Nothing serious, though
- 41.11Sam Curran to Sahan Arachchige, 1 run, now Sam Curran gets the yorker right, Sahan Arachchige works it to long-on
- Sam Curran [5.0-1-35-0] is back into the attack
- End of over 41 · 6 runs (1 1 1 2 1 0)SL 306/5Pavan Rathnayake 98(67) · Sahan Arachchige 28(20) · Gus Atkinson 9-1-63-0
- 40.6•Gus Atkinson to Pavan Rathnayake, no run, nails the yorker - just six runs off the over! Pavan Rathnayake somehow manages to squeeze it out
- 40.51Gus Atkinson to Sahan Arachchige, 1 run, wrists it to long-on for a single
- 40.42Gus Atkinson to Sahan Arachchige, 2 runs, 138.8kph, keeping it full as Sahan Arachchige slices the drive past point for a single
- 40.31Gus Atkinson to Pavan Rathnayake, 1 run, slanting into the pads, Pavan Rathnayake flicks it to deep backward square leg
- 40.21Gus Atkinson to Sahan Arachchige, 1 run, 136.5kph, Gus Atkinson goes full and tailing into the stumps, Sahan Arachchige covers the stumps and wrists it to long-on
- 40.11Gus Atkinson to Pavan Rathnayake, 1 run, full on the stumps and Pavan Rathnayake drives it along the carpet to sweeper cover
- The required rate is below nine an over, so that’s not an issue. Wickets, however, will be key for both teams from here on.
- End of over 40 · 10 runs (0 4 0 1 4 1)SL 300/5Pavan Rathnayake 96(64) · Sahan Arachchige 24(17) · Sonny Baker 9-0-75-2
- 39.61Sonny Baker to Pavan Rathnayake, 1 run, whips this to deep mid-wicket and retains the strike. 300 up for SL
- 39.54Sonny Baker to Pavan Rathnayake, FOUR, shot! Fullish angling in and Pavan Rathnayake backs away a bit and lifts it towards deep extra cover for a good-looking boundary
- 39.41Sonny Baker to Sahan Arachchige, 1 run, much better line and length from Sonny Baker! Doesn't give him the line to open up the off side and the left-hander hits it along the ground to long-on
- 39.3•Sonny Baker to Sahan Arachchige, no run, back of a length angling in and it goes over the leg stump as Sahan Arachchige fails to connect the scoop. Hang on, the replays show it came off the gloves but no one appealed
- 39.24Sonny Baker to Sahan Arachchige, FOUR, gets the width and the left-hander rocks back and slashes it to deep backward point for a boundary. Sri Lanka are keeping the required rate very much in check
- 39.1•Sonny Baker to Sahan Arachchige, no run, half-volley on the stumps and Sahan Arachchige drills it to mid-off. This was there to be put away but Sahan Arachchige fails to find the gap or go over the top
- End of over 39 · 13 runs (2 1 4 1 2 1nb 1)SL 290/5Sahan Arachchige 19(13) · Pavan Rathnayake 91(62) · Gus Atkinson 8-1-57-0
- 38.6Gus Atkinson to Sahan Arachchige, 1 run, very full on the off stump and Sahan Arachchige drives it firmly to extra cover and eventually had to put in a dive to complete the run
- 38.6Gus Atkinson to Pavan Rathnayake, no ball, 1 run, high full toss, and the right-hander swings hard but fails to make proper contact. The ball drops safely in the vacant mid-on region. The umpire calls it a no-ball for height, and a free hit is coming up
- 38.6Gus Atkinson to Pavan Rathnayake, 1 run, to mid-wicket
- 38.5Gus Atkinson to Pavan Rathnayake, 2 runs, 133.5kph, fullish with his length and tailing into the pads, Pavan Rathnayake works it to the right of long-on and has enough time to come back for two
- 38.4Gus Atkinson to Sahan Arachchige, 1 run, fullish on the stumps, Sahan Arachchige nudges it to deep mid-wicket and moves to the other end
- 38.34Gus Atkinson to Sahan Arachchige, FOUR, the runs keep flowing for Sri Lanka! Overpitched outside off, and the left-hander opens the bat face on the drive, threading it between point and backward point for four runs
- 38.2Gus Atkinson to Pavan Rathnayake, 1 run, another one angling into the pads, this time the flick to deep mid-wicket gets him only one run
- 38.1Gus Atkinson to Pavan Rathnayake, 2 runs, full and on the stumps, whips it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. The second was possible because of the misfield
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