Sri Lanka chase 430 to beat England despite Harry Brook's record ODI double century

Sri Lanka beat England by two wickets in a one-day international (ODI) tri-series match in Rawalpindi. They reached 430-8 in 49.5 overs, with one ball to spare. England had scored 429-4 from their 50 overs.

It is the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history. The highest remains South Africa's pursuit of 435 against Australia in 2006.

England captain Harry Brook, 27, scored 202 off 116 balls, with 10 sixes and 21 fours. He reached 200 off 114 balls. That is the fastest double century in ODI history, beating Shubman Gill's 117-ball effort for India against West Indies. It was also the first ODI double century by an England batter.

Brook scored 13 runs from his first 24 balls. He reached 50 off 42 balls and 100 off 75. He reached 200 in the final over, bowled by Janith Liyanage, and was out off the last ball of the innings. England added 156 runs in the last 10 overs. Joe Root scored 69 and became the first England batter to reach 8,000 ODI runs. Will Jacks made 66 not out. Opener Tom Banton scored 50.

Sri Lanka chose to bat second and were 24-2 before recovering. Pavan Rathnayake scored 130. Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka each made 97, and Shanaka hit eight sixes. Rathnayake and Fernando added 166 for the third wicket.

Sri Lanka needed 109 from the last 10 overs and eight from the final over, bowled by Josh Tongue. Tongue bowled Wellalage and Eshan Malinga with consecutive deliveries. Liyanage then hit the penultimate ball for six. He finished on 61 not out, off 27 balls according to Al Jazeera.

England left out spinner Adil Rashid. The Guardian reports he was replaced by Liam Dawson. England have not won either of their first two tri-series games. They play Pakistan in Lahore on Sunday.

According to BBC Sport, Brook is the first player to score an ODI double hundred and finish on the losing side. BBC Sport also reported that the match produced a record 123 boundaries, and that Sam Curran's figures of 103-2 were the most expensive by an England bowler in an ODI. Al Jazeera reported that Pakistan have won both of their games.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include an official scorecard or a statement from the ICC or either cricket board confirming the records cited. They do not include comments from Sri Lankan players.

What is disputed

Al Jazeera says Gill set his record "last month"; The Guardian says "three weeks ago". BBC Sport says Brook took 39 balls to go from 100 to 200; The Guardian's figures add up to 37. The outlets spell Wellalage's first name differently.

What each side says

Brook called the defeat "Heart-breaking", according to BBC Sport. "We couldn't execute our skills enough with the ball and they've just played an absolute blinder there," he said. He added that England have "a good opportunity in the next couple of games to really try and get to that final in Lahore."

Former England bowler Steven Finn, speaking on Test Match Special, said: "I think this might make England question the balance of their team," BBC Sport reported.

Analysis

The result raises questions about England's bowling, not their batting. Former bowler Steven Finn suggested England may have "almost too much batting" in their side, while Brook pointed to execution with the ball. BBC Sport reported that England may need to beat Pakistan in Lahore to stay in the competition, though the reports do not explain how qualification for the final works. If England change their bowling options, the recall of a spinner such as Rashid is one possibility. Retaining the current balance is another. For Sri Lanka, the recovery from 24-2, built on a 166-run third-wicket stand and contributions down to Liyanage's unbeaten 61, may suggest depth in their batting order, though one match is limited evidence. The ICC has not been quoted confirming the records cited.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.