Lahore (GNP): Ben Duckett and Liam Dawson’s respective ODI career best performances helped England manage a consolation win over Sri Lanka after they defended the 386-run total here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
England posted the highest team total in ODIs at the Gaddafi overtaking Pakistan’s 375-3 against Zimbabwe in 2015 and also registered their first win in the format on Pakistan soil since December 2005.
Sri Lanka, who will face Pakistan in the final of the tri-series on Saturday, looked poised to hunt down yet another big score against England but fell flat for 331 in 45.1 overs after being 310-5 in 42 overs.
The capitulation began with the wicket of Sahan Arachchige (30, 24b, 4x4s) when Sri Lanka needed 72 off 46 balls with Rathnayake batting exactly at 100 off 70 balls. Sri Lanka lost five for 16 with Liam Dawson taking two of these including that of Rathnayake (118, 77b, 15x4s, 1×6).
Liam Dawson’s registered his best ODI bowling figures of 4-49 in 10 overs picking key scalps of opening batter Avishka Fernando (48, 50b, 8x4s, 1×6) and Dasun Shanaka (4, 11b), their tormentor in previous game in Rawalpindi.
Returning pacer Sonny Baker got England the first breakthrough as Kamindu Mendis departed for four as skipper Kusal Mendis (89, 71b, 8x4s, 5x6s) put on 84 runs. Mendis then added another 80 runs with Rathnayake before Joe Root’s off-spin turned the table for England as Sri Lanka captain was caught behind.
Shanaka and Janith Liyanage’s wickets in the 30th and 36th overs, respectively, dented Sri Lanka’s progress and kept England in the hunt. Liyanage showcased his big hitting skills in a 17-ball cameo hitting three sixes and one four to score 27 runs but became Baker’s second wicket.
Rathnayake brought up 350 runs in the tri-series – four more than Duckett – as he notched his third ODI century and second in the series.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first did not go well as England opening batters Ben Duckett (167, 132b, 24x4s) and Ton Banton (74, 75b, 8x4s, 2x6s) put on a mammoth 163-run stand, which was then followed by a 107-run stand between Harry Brook (44, 34b, 3x4s, 2x6s).
Duckett improved his previous ODI best of 165 against Australia at the same venue by two runs and became the fourth batter to score at least three ODI tons at Gaddafi Stadium matching Zaheer Abbas, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik.
Jordan Cox (43, 3x4s, 1×6), Will Jacks (30, 21b, 4x4s) and Sam Curran (21 not out, 12b, 1×4, 1×6) then took England to 386 for five. For Sri Lanka, Fernando picked up two for 63.
Scores in brief –
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Match 6 – ODI tri-series – England beat Sri Lanka by 55 runs at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
England 386-5, 50 overs (Ben Duckett 167, Tom Banton 74, Harry Brook 44, Jordan Cox 43, Will Jacks 30, Sam Currran 21 not out; Asitha Fernando 2-63)
Sri Lanka 331 all out, 45.1 overs (Pavan Rathnayake 118, Kusal Mendis 89, Avishka Fernando 48, Sahan Arachchige 30, Janith Liyanage 27; Liam Dawson 4-49, Sonny Baker 2-75)
Player of the match – Ben Duckett (England)
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
