
England may have been out of the race, but they refused to go quietly in Lahore. Ben Duckett blasted 167 off 132 balls as England piled up 386 for 5 and beat Sri Lanka by 55 runs at Gaddafi Stadium on October 29, 2026, snapping a three-match losing streak.
The sixth match of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series was a dead rubber for England, who had already been eliminated. Pride was the only thing left to play for, and Duckett played like a man with a point to prove.
The left-hander struck 167 off 132 balls, anchoring the innings and setting the tone for a huge total. England finished on 386 for 5, a score that proved just out of reach for Sri Lanka.
Tom Banton gave England a fast start at the top of the order, contributing 74 runs. His support let Duckett play with freedom and built the base for the big finish.
Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Jordan Cox and Sam Curran then chipped in with important cameos. Each of them kept the scoreboard moving and denied Sri Lanka any chance to claw back control late in the innings.
This innings carried extra meaning given Duckett’s record in Lahore. He struck back-to-back centuries in the tri-series, finishing with two hundreds in as many innings at Gaddafi Stadium.
England had also posted 429 against Sri Lanka on October 22, 2026, but could not defend that total. This time, the big score finally translated into a win, giving the side a consolation victory to take from the group stage.
Chasing 386, Sri Lanka needed a special knock, and Pavan Rathnayake delivered one. He hit 118 off 77 balls, injecting real momentum through the middle overs and keeping the target within reach.
For long stretches, the chase looked alive. While Rathnayake stayed at the crease, England had to work hard for every breakthrough.
The game swung when Liam Dawson dismissed Rathnayake as he attempted a sweep shot. It was the decisive moment of the chase, and Sri Lanka lost their shape soon after.
Dawson finished as the pick of the England bowlers with 4/49 in 10 overs. The left-arm spinner’s control and timely strike changed the direction of the contest.
Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 331, falling 55 runs short.
| Player | Team | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Duckett | England | 167 off 132 balls |
| Tom Banton | England | 74 runs |
| Liam Dawson | England | 4/49 in 10 overs |
| Pavan Rathnayake | Sri Lanka | 118 off 77 balls |
| Asitha Fernando | Sri Lanka | 2 wickets |
| Eshan Malinga | Sri Lanka | 1/101 in 10 overs |
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| England | 386/5 |
| Sri Lanka | 331 all out |
| Result | England won by 55 runs |
Asitha Fernando took two wickets, but Eshan Malinga had a day to forget. He conceded 101 runs in his 10 overs for a single wicket, as England’s batters attacked relentlessly.
The pressure of a massive total always weighs on a chasing side, and Sri Lanka’s bowlers could not apply enough of it themselves.
The result will not change England’s standing in the tournament, but it does matter for morale. After three straight defeats, they leave Lahore with a win and a statement performance at the top of the order.
Duckett’s second century at the venue is the standout takeaway. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, can point to Rathnayake’s fearless hundred as a bright spot, even in defeat.






