Duckett, Dawson Shine In England’s Consolation Win
Ben Duckett smashed his second successive century, while Liam Dawson claimed a career-best 4/49 as England defeated Sri Lanka by 55 runs in the ODI tri-series in Lahore on Thursday.
Duckett’s 167 off 132 balls powered England to 386/5, the highest ODI total at the Gaddafi Stadium. Sri Lanka, despite a brilliant 118 from Pavan Rathnayake, were bowled out for 331.
The victory was England’s first ODI win in Pakistan since 2005. Having lost their first three matches, England were already out of contention for Saturday’s final.
Duckett And Banton Give England Strong Start
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis won his seventh successive toss on the tour and elected to field. England’s openers made the decision costly, adding 163 runs in 25 overs.
Duckett struck his sixth ODI century, while Tom Banton contributed 74 off 75 deliveries. Captain Harry Brook, batting at No. 3 for the first time in ODIs, then shared a 107-run partnership off 75 balls with Duckett, taking England to 270/2.
Duckett reached his hundred from 89 deliveries and went on to surpass his previous ODI best of 165, scored against Australia at the same venue during last year’s Champions Trophy. He struck 24 boundaries, 17 of them on the leg side.
Brook made 44 before being dismissed by Asitha Fernando, who finished with 2/63. Duckett followed soon after, falling to Eshan Malinga (1/101) in the 42nd over.
England added 94 runs in the final 10 overs. Will Jacks scored 30 off 21 balls, Jordan Cox made 43 off 27, and Sam Curran remained unbeaten on 21.
Rathnayake’s Century Keeps Sri Lanka In The Hunt
Sri Lanka’s chase began poorly as Kamindu Mendis was bowled by Sonny Baker for four in the fourth over.
Kusal Mendis (89 off 71) and Avishka Fernando (48) rebuilt the innings with an 84-run partnership for the second wicket. Dawson broke the stand when Fernando was caught by Will Jacks in the 17th over.
Kusal Mendis and Rathnayake then added 80 runs as Sri Lanka continued to push for a challenging chase. Joe Root dismissed Mendis in the 27th over, with the batter edging a sweep to the wicketkeeper.
Rathnayake took charge from there, bringing up his third ODI century against England this year. He struck 15 fours and a six in his 77-ball 118.
Dawson Delivers Decisive Blow
Rathnayake continued to keep Sri Lanka in contention alongside Janith Liyanage, who scored 27 with three sixes, and Sahan Arachchige, who contributed 30.
However, Dawson removed Rathnayake in the 45th over when the batter miscued a sweep and was caught at fine leg. The left-arm spinner then helped England take the final three wickets for just three runs, sealing a 55-run victory.uns in the ODI tri-series in Lahore.
