Sri Lanka achieved one of cricket's most remarkable comebacks on 22 October 2026, successfully chasing down 430 runs in Rawalpindi to defeat England in a thrilling one-day international. The victory marked the second-highest successful chase in ODI history, surpassed only by a 438-run pursuit two decades earlier. According to The Guardian, the result came despite England captain Harry Brook's record-breaking 202, the fastest double hundred ever scored in the format.
England had set a formidable total of 429-4 in their 50 overs, with Brook's extraordinary innings forming the centrepiece of their batting display. BBC Sport reported that Brook reached 200 from 114 balls, breaking the previous record for the fastest double century in an ODI, which had stood at 117 deliveries set by India's Shubman Gill against West Indies the previous month. Brook's 202 made him the first England batter to score a double century in a one-day international, surpassing Ben Stokes' previous England record of 182 against New Zealand at The Oval in 2023. Joe Root contributed 69 and Will Jacks remained unbeaten on 66, as England posted the highest total ever recorded in a one-day international in Pakistan.
Janith Liyanage struck the decisive six down the ground with one ball remaining in the final over, finishing unbeaten on 61 to seal an improbable victory. The win came after Josh Tongue had removed Dunith Wellalage and Eshan Malinga with consecutive deliveries, leaving Sri Lanka needing eight runs from the last over.
Sri Lanka's recovery proved all the more extraordinary given their precarious position early in their innings. Reduced to 24 for two, the visitors mounted a sustained assault through three dominant batting performances. Pavan Rathnayake led the charge with 130 runs, while Avishka Fernando contributed 97. Dasun Shanaka, who had endured a difficult spell with the ball, exacted his revenge with an aggressive 97 of his own, striking eight sixes during his innings.
None of the three principal architects of Sri Lanka's chase remained at the crease when Liyanage struck the winning blow, having departed before England could fully capitalise on their bowling resurgence. The momentum shift proved decisive, as Sri Lanka's lower-order batsmen held their nerve under intense pressure.
How did this result affect the series?
This result represents a significant reversal in the recent series between the two nations. England had claimed the opening one-day international at Chester-le-Street, with Brook scoring 67 and Will Jacks taking five wickets to establish a 1-0 series lead. The captain had also demonstrated his aggressive approach in the preceding T20 matches, where his unbeaten 114 off 49 balls powered England to a 119-run victory in Southampton.
What made Brook's innings so significant?
Brook's 202 represented a remarkable individual achievement, establishing a new benchmark for the fastest double hundred in ODI cricket. The record innings proved insufficient against Sri Lanka's collective batting display, which demonstrated the unpredictable nature of the 50-over format when momentum swings decisively. Brook's previous highest score in ODIs was 136 not out, also against Sri Lanka, making his progression to a double century a substantial leap in his one-day international career.
Key Facts:
- Sri Lanka's 430-run chase was the second-highest successful ODI chase in history
- Harry Brook's 202 was the fastest double century in ODI cricket, scored from 114 balls
- Brook became the first England batter to score a double century in a one-day international
- England's total of 429-4 was the highest ever recorded in a one-day international in Pakistan
- Janith Liyanage hit the winning six with one ball remaining in the final over
