The head-to-head competition between England and Sri Lanka is off to the races in 2026 ODI cricket. Both sides have played fast and intense matches in multi-national tournaments and bilateral series with a lot of aggression and aggregates. Whether it has been run-feasts in England, or tight finishes in Sri Lanka, Asia and Australia, fans have witnessed fast-paced cricket taking control of the game, with both the power play and tactical bowling spells dominating each game.
This is a detailed analysis of the last ODI series between England and Sri Lanka with match score cards, player analysis and important insights.
Match Scorecard Overview: Sri Lanka vs England (Pakistan Tri-Nation Series 2026)
Sri Lanka had one of the year’s best late over wins, in a thrilling ODI against England at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Match Summary
The game was played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first. England scored a huge total of 429 runs for 4 wickets in 50 overs. Sri Lanka rose to the occasion and began the chase with a heroic effort, reaching 430/8 (49.5) for the win with 1 ball left. Sri Lankan batsman Pavan Rathnayake was the Player of the Match for his brilliant 130-run 106-ball effort.
Detailed Batting Scorecards
England Batting Innings
Harry Brook laid the foundation for England with an amazing double century, as Joe Root, Tom Banton and Will Jacks contributed good half-centuries.
Opener Ben Duckett hit 29 runs off 39 balls (including back-to-back fours) before getting caught and bowled by Asitha Fernando. Tom Banton followed a consistent 50 off 51 balls with nine fours before he went out lbw. Joe Root added 69 runs off 66 deliveries, scoring eight fours before falling victim to Janith Liyanage’s bowling at the wicket of Avishka Fernando.
Harry Brook was unbeaten on 202 from 116 balls with a 21 four and 10 six strike rate as he was the sole player to hold the opposition at bay. Jacks, who also scored 66 runs from 20 balls in the middle order, had his explosive batting in the late order and also scored 66 runs from 30 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes, before he was caught and bowled by Dunith Wellalage. There was no need for the rest of the line-up including Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Jordan Cox to bat. England built up 12 additional runs to reach 429 for 4 (50 overs).
Sri Lanka Bowling Figures
Asitha Fernando took 1 wicket with 1 maiden and conceded 68 runs in 10 overs (6.80 economy). Dilshan Madushanka bowled 10 overs to give away 89 runs and his economy rate was 8.90. Dunith Wellalage was the standout bowler, picking up 2 wickets for 56 runs in his 10 overs at an economy rate of 5.60.
Eshan Malinga didn’t take a single wicket in 10 overs to score 91 for the team with an economy rate of 9.10. Janith Liyanage took 1 wicket for 32 runs (16.00 economy) in 2 overs. Kamindu Mendis took 2 over for 17 runs with an economy rate of 8.50 while Dasun Shanaka took 6 over for 74 runs with an economy rate of 12.33.
Sri Lanka Batting Innings
In their pursuit, Sri Lanka played with aggressive intent, with key centuries and half-centuries in the middle and bottom order.
Taking the initial initiative was opener Avishka Fernando, who had a big 97 for 83 in 11 fours and 2 sixes, only for him to be caught by Root off Josh Tongue’s bowling. Kusal Mendis, however, had a hiccup early on, when he was run out without a score. Pavan Rathnayake kept the momentum going for the entire run chase with a stellar 130 off 106 balls including 15 fours and 3 sixes with Banton getting the tag from Josh Tongue.
Kamindu Mendis was 18 for 16 in 3 hits and a six with a six, before being bowled by Liam Dawson. This was the game-changing knock of 97 runs off 50 balls with 6 fours and 8 sixes, which was picked off by Josh Tongue from Sam Curran. Janith Liyanage continued the pace with 61 runs off 27 balls (7 four and 3 six), Snorre Jenson and Overton collected one and three, respectively.
Sahan Arachchige didn’t lose a wicket off 13 runs with 2 fours in 8 balls. Dunith Wellalage got out for an 8-run, 1 four fast bowler off Sam Curran for a run on 7 balls. Asitha Fernando reached a run off 1 ball without getting out. Sri Lanka got 5 extras and extended their lead to 430 for 8.Sri Lanka were given 5 extras and extended their lead to 430 for 8.
England Bowling Figures
Sam Curran took 2 wickets for 103 runs in 9 overs, with an economy rate of 11.44. Gus Atkinson gave up 57 runs for 0 wickets in 7 overs, which was an economy rate of 8.14. Jacks bowled 5 overs giving 41 runs at an economy rate of 8.20.
Jamie Overton took 1 wicket for 77 runs (Economy 7.70) in his 10 overs. Liam Dawson took 1 wicket for 71 runs with an economy of 7.10 in 10 overs. Joshua Tongue, the leading wicket taker for England, was the more prolific of the two with 3 wickets for 79 runs in 8.5 overs, 1 maiden with an economy rate of 8.94.
Highlights & Key Takeaways
Harry Brook had an extraordinary day in his career by hitting 202 off 116 deliveries to register one of the fastest double centuries in ODI history.
In turn, Sri Lanka made a historic achievement by successfully chasing 430 runs in one of the highest successful chases in 50 over international cricket.
Pavan Rathnayake started his career with a bang as he held the Sri Lanka bats off the ground with a crucial 130-run 106-ball stand against the bowlers under pressure.
Dasun Shanaka completely took the wind out of their sails in the death overs by hitting 97 off 50 balls, 8 big hitters, to bring Sri Lanka within striking distance of victory.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who won the England vs Sri Lanka 2026 ODI match in Rawalpindi?
A1. Sri Lanka won the match by 2 wickets after successfully chasing down England’s target of 430 runs with 1 ball remaining in the innings.
Q2. What was Harry Brook’s score in the match?
A2. Harry Brook scored an unbeaten 202 runs off 116 balls, featuring 21 boundaries and 10 sixes during England’s batting innings.
Q3. Who was named Player of the Match?
A3. Sri Lanka’s Pavan Rathnayake was named Player of the Match for his outstanding score of 130 runs that guided his team to victory.
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