Watch: Sri Lanka chase down 430 vs England in last-over ODI thriller

Sri Lanka pulled off one of the greatest chases in ODI history by chasing down England’s massive 430-run target in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series in Rawalpindi on Thursday. The incredible victory will be remembered as one of the most exciting moments in men’s ODI cricket.

The win was the second-highest successful chase in men’s ODI history. South Africa hold the record after chasing 435 runs against Australia in Johannesburg in 2006. They scored 438/9 to win the match by one wicket.

The match became even more exciting in the final over, when Sri Lanka needed 8 runs off the last 6 balls to win. With the result hanging in the balance, the final over delivered a thrilling finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats. 

Watch the iconic last over here:

England vs Sri Lanka last-over thriller: How the 430-run chase unfolded

England vs Sri Lanka produced a thrilling ODI match in Rawalpindi, with 859 runs scored by both teams. Harry Brook smashed England’s first-ever ODI double century, but Sri Lanka chased down the massive 430-run target to record the second-highest successful chase in men’s ODI history. Pavan Rathnayake scored 130 runs, while Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka contributed 97 runs each.

Sri Lanka’s chase got off to a difficult start as they slipped to 24/2. Captain Kusal Mendis was run out without facing a ball, putting more pressure on the team. However, Rathnayake helped Sri Lanka recover with his brilliant innings. Dasun Shanaka and Avishka Fernando also played important roles, keeping the chase alive despite England’s efforts to take wickets.

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The match reached its most exciting moment in the final over, when Sri Lanka needed eight runs from the last six balls. Josh Tongue dismissed Dunith Wellalage and Eshan Malinga on consecutive deliveries to give England hope. However, Asitha Fernando helped Janith Liyanage get back on strike, and Liyanage smashed the winning six over long-off. He finished unbeaten on 61 off just 27 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes to seal a memorable victory for Sri Lanka with one ball remaining.

Key moments, milestones and records from the historic ODI chase

Sri Lanka scripted a historic victory by chasing England’s massive target of 430 runs, recording the second-highest successful chase in men’s ODI cricket. The team’s innings was built around Pavan Rathnayake’s brilliant 130 off 106 balls, while Avishka Fernando scored 97 off 83 deliveries. Both batters helped Sri Lanka recover after the team slipped to 24/2 early in the chase. Their contributions kept the required run rate under control and gave the middle order a chance to take the game away from England.

Dasun Shanaka played another crucial role with a powerful 97 off just 50 balls, including eight sixes. His aggressive batting put England under pressure and brought Sri Lanka closer to the target. Janith Liyanage then delivered a match-winning performance, scoring an unbeaten 61 off 27 balls with seven fours and three sixes. England struggled to contain Sri Lanka’s attack, with Sam Curran conceding 103 runs in nine overs and Josh Tongue giving away 79 runs while taking three wickets. The heavy dew also appeared to make bowling difficult during the chase.

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The match reached a dramatic finish in the final over, with Sri Lanka needing eight runs from the last six balls. Tongue gave England hope by dismissing Dunith Wellalage and Eshan Malinga on consecutive deliveries. However, Asitha Fernando managed a single off the fourth ball to bring Liyanage back on strike. With six runs needed from the final two deliveries, Liyanage struck a full ball over long-off for a huge six on the fifth delivery. Sri Lanka completed the chase with one ball remaining, turning a tense finish into a memorable victory. The result highlighted the importance of Liyanage’s finishing skills under pressure.

Earlier, England had posted a huge total of 429/4, powered by captain Harry Brook’s unbeaten 202 off 116 balls, which included 21 fours and 10 sixes. Brook became the first England batter to score a double century in men’s ODI cricket, while Will Jacks added 66 off 30 balls and Joe Root scored 69 off 66 deliveries. Despite England’s record-breaking batting display, Sri Lanka’s batters produced an even more remarkable response to seal the second-highest successful chase in ODI history, behind South Africa’s 438/9 against Australia in 2006. The victory gave Sri Lanka their first win of the tri-series, while England remained without a win after two matches. It also provided Sri Lanka with a major confidence boost ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Fans react as Sri Lanka pull off the last-over chase vs England

Fans were left amazed as Sri Lanka pulled off a historic chase against England in a thrilling ODI match in Rawalpindi. Chasing a huge target of 430 runs, Sri Lanka kept the pressure on England and secured a memorable victory with just one ball remaining. The dramatic finish quickly became a talking point among cricket fans.

Many fans praised Sri Lanka’s batting performance, especially Pavan Rathnayake, Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka and Janith Liyanage. Their contributions helped the team recover from early wickets and stay in the chase. Liyanage’s unbeaten 61 off just 27 balls, capped by a six in the final over, was one of the biggest highlights of the match.

The last-over drama made the victory even more special, as England came close to turning the game around with two wickets in a row. However, Liyanage kept his composure and finished the chase in style. The result also made history, as Sri Lanka recorded the second-highest successful chase in men’s ODI cricket. Fans celebrated the incredible finish and praised the team for winning a match that seemed difficult after England’s massive total.