Brook's 202 In Vain: Sri Lanka Pull Off Second Highest Chase to Sink England

Pavan Rathnayake’s majestic 130 and explosive near-centuries from Shanaka and Fernando eclipse Harry Brook’s sensational 202 as Sri Lanka execute the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history.

Hamid Khan Wazir

RAWALPINDI: In what will instantly go down as one of the most astonishing encounters in the annals of One Day International cricket, Sri Lanka pulled off an unbelievable 430-run chase off the penultimate ball to stun England by two wickets in Rawalpindi.

On a night of high-octane drama, Harry Brook’s masterful 202 was eclipsed in breathtaking fashion by century hero Pavan Rathnayake, explosive onslaughts from Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka, and the ice-cold composure of Janith Liyanage under extreme pressure. Blasting past England's mammoth total of 429/4 with just one ball to spare, Sri Lanka didn't just win a match, they delivered an instant masterpiece that redefines the limits of limited-overs cricket.

On an extraordinary evening where 859 runs were scored, England captain Harry Brook’s blazing double-century (202 off 116 balls) looked to have put the game completely out of reach. However, Sri Lanka answered with a fearless, relentless display of power hitting, spearheaded by Player of the Match Pavan Rathnayake, whose masterclass 130 laid the foundation for the second-highest successful run chase in the history of One Day Internationals.

Brook’s Double-Ton Sets a Venue Record

Earlier in the day, after Sri Lanka opted to bowl, England delivered an overwhelming exhibition of power hitting. Opening partners Tom Banton (51) and Ben Duckett (29) built a strong platform with a 74-run stand before spinner Dunith Wellalage (2/56) struck in back-to-back overs.

Joe Root (69 off 66) then joined forces with skipper Harry Brook to construct a dominant 159-run partnership for the third wicket. Once Root departed, Brook unleashed an absolute carnage alongside Will Jacks (66* off 30). The pair smashed an electric 185-run partnership off just 77 balls. Brook reached his milestone 202 off 116 deliveries, featuring 21 boundaries and 10 sixes, propelling England to an imposing 429/4—the highest team total ever recorded on Pakistani soil.

Early Shock to Middle-Order Resurgence

Sri Lanka’s daunting pursuit started in disaster. Josh Tongue removed Kamindu Mendis (18) early, and skipper Kusal Mendis was run out for a duck without facing a ball, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 24/2 in the fifth over.

Undeterred by the immense required run rate, Avishka Fernando and Pavan Rathnayake launched a counter-offensive. The pair counter-attacked with a brilliant 166-run partnership for the third wicket off 137 balls. Fernando missed out on a deserving hundred when Jamie Overton dismissed him for a blistering 97 off 83 balls (11 fours, 2 sixes).

Rathnayake’s Ton and Shanaka’s Firepower

Rathnayake found another reliable partner in Dasun Shanaka. Together, they relentlessly pushed the scoring rate forward, adding 133 runs for the fourth wicket. Rathnayake reached his second ODI hundred, finishing with a brilliant 130 off 106 balls (15 fours, 3 sixes) before falling to Sam Curran in the 41st over.

Shanaka took complete control of the match, smashing six boundaries and eight massive sixes in an explosive 97 off just 50 deliveries. When Shanaka fell three runs short of a century to Liam Dawson, Sri Lanka still required 67 runs from the remaining 36 balls.

Liyanage Holds His Nerve in a Last-Ball Thriller

With the match dangling on a razor's edge, Janith Liyanage took charge of the final overs. Displaying remarkable composure under immense pressure, Liyanage struck an unbeaten 61 off 27 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes).

Despite Josh Tongue (3/79) taking quick wickets in the final over to leave Sri Lanka 8 wickets down, Liyanage stayed calm and clipped the winning runs on the penultimate ball (49.5 overs), sealing a legendary two-wicket victory that will be remembered for generations.