The key facts

  • England won by 55 runs: 386-5 against 331 all out in 45.1 overs
  • Ben Duckett set a personal ODI best of 167 runs
  • Liam Dawson took 4-49, his career-best figures

England halt Sri Lanka's chase

England won the final, dead-rubber ODI of the series against Sri Lanka, beating them by 55 runs in Lahore and denying the hosts a chase of the 387-run target, AFP reports. Sri Lanka, who put England in to bat first, were bowled out for 331 in 45.1 overs.

Rathnayake shines again, but in vain

Pawan Rathnayake scored 118 off 77 balls — his third ODI century — but this time his efforts came to nothing. Exactly a week earlier he had made 130 in the chase of 430 in Rawalpindi, when Sri Lanka pulled off a sensational run chase. In Lahore he added 80 for the third wicket with captain Kusal Mendis (89 off 71) and 72 for the fifth with Janith Liyanage (30), but in the 45th over spinner Liam Dawson caught him attempting an ill-fated sweep — from that point Sri Lanka's hopes faded. Dawson finished with career-best figures of 4-49, while Sonny Baker took 2-75.

Duckett's record innings

The foundation of England's win was opener Ben Duckett's record ODI innings: 167 runs off 132 balls with 24 boundaries. His previous best was 165 against Australia at the same stadium at last year's Champions Trophy. He put on 163 for the first wicket with Tom Banton (74) and another 107 for the second with captain Harry Brook (44 off 34). In the final ten overs England added 92 runs thanks to Jordan Cox (43), Will Jacks (30) and Sam Curran (21 not out). For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando took 2-63, while Eshan Malinga took the only other wicket for 101 runs.

Series outcome and a look ahead to the final

The defeat left England with just one win from the four-match series. Captain Harry Brook admitted the series had not gone the way they wanted, but noted that the side had learned lessons from the 430-run chase a week earlier. Sri Lanka, despite the loss, remain focused on Saturday's final against Pakistan, also in Lahore: Mendis said the team had batted well and would be ready for the decisive match.