Sri Lanka produced one of the outstanding performances in one day international cricket, beating England’s colossal 429/4 total in a high-scoring match in Rawalpindi on October 22, 2026. The thrilling victory with one ball left showed Sri Lanka’s depth of batsmanship, determination and strength under high pressure as well as how hard players play to win, and how they do that under pressure.
It seemed England appeared to have taken control after such a big total, but Sri Lanka fought back with fearless cricket and scored 430/8. The result was the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history and put the island nation on the map again.
Harry Brook’s historic double century goes in vain
Harry Brook was also impressive in England with 202 runs in 116 balls. He made 21 fours and 10 sixes and is the first English batsman to score a double century in men's ODI cricket.
Brook got 200 runs in 114 balls, setting a new record for the fastest double century in ODI history. England crossed the 400-run mark with him and Sri Lanka under huge pressure.
Joe Root contributed 69 runs, while Will Jacks remained unbeaten on 66. England’s big finish appeared to be enough to secure victory, but Sri Lanka had other plans.
Pavan Rathnayake leads Sri Lanka’s fightback
Sri Lanka’s chase did not begin smoothly. The team slipped to 24/2 early in the innings, leaving the batters with a mountain to climb.
But Avishka Fernando and Pavan Rathnayake rebuilt the innings with a 166-run partnership. Fernando contributed 97 and Rathnayake 130 off 106 balls in establishing the chase.
They took the momentum and restored the Sri Lankan dressing room belief.
Dasun Shanaka then accelerated the scoring with a brilliant 97 off just 50 deliveries. His aggressive stroke play kept Sri Lanka within reach despite England’s attempts to regain control.
Janith Liyanage seals a memorable victory.
Janith Liyanage emerged as the match’s decisive player. He hit an unbeaten 61 off 27 balls with Sri Lanka overcoming the final obstacles.
England briefly threatened to turn the match around when they took two wickets in the last over with two consecutive deliveries. But Liyanage held his nerve and was able to score a six off the last ball to complete the brilliant chase.
Sri Lanka finished at 430/8, sealing a two-wicket victory and leaving England stunned.
Sri Lanka’s Winning Moment in Rawalpindi ❤️ WHAT. A. CHASE 🇱🇰 👏🏏 Janith Liyanage seals a record-breaking chase with a towering six💪🔥 Sri Lanka chase 430 to beat England by 2 wickets in an unbelievable ODI thriller! WHAT A FINISH! WHAT A WIN! 🇱🇰❤️ https://t.co/IOMiTeGQME
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet) October 22, 2026
Will Sri Lanka ever return to their glory days?
Sri Lanka’s success will help to inspire fans who remember the team’s successful times in the past, which include 1996 World Cup victory and 2011 World Cup final.
One great win won’t establish the fact that Sri Lanka have completely returned to their former heights but the performance demonstrated several encouraging characteristics: resilience under pressure, partnerships that can change a game and fearless finishing.
The team will have to perform this consistency against strong competition and in big tournaments to have their place among cricket’s most powerful teams.
A victory that could inspire a new era
The England-Sri Lanka game was more than a high-scoring thriller. It was an example that even a total of 430 is not always safe in modern ODI cricket.
Sri Lanka has come to the end of a long losing run and will have a good reason to believe again. How good is the revival we are seeing?
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