Sri Lanka Fightback Falls Short in High-Scoring Chase
Facing a daunting target of 387, Sri Lanka’s chase suffered an immediate setback when they lost an early wicket. The pressure mounted further when Kamindu Mendis fell with the score at just 13 in the fourth over, a moment that proved to be a significant turning point in the match. Despite the early collapse, Pavan Rathnayake provided a glimmer of hope for the chasing side, playing a blistering innings of 118 off 77 balls. Supported by Kusal Mendis, who anchored the middle period, Sri Lanka attempted to keep pace with the required run rate. However, the sheer scale of the target proved too much to overcome against a disciplined English bowling unit. Liam Dawson emerged as a key performer with the ball, helping to stifle the Sri Lankan momentum at critical junctures. Ultimately, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 331, handing England a 55-run victory in this pivotal match of the 2026 ODI Tri-Series in Pakistan.
