In Lahore, Ben Duckett kept swinging until his score reached 167, giving England the platform for a 55-run win over Sri Lanka in the final match of their one-day international tri-series campaign. Liam Dawson then took four wickets as England held off a chase that had looked dangerous for much of the afternoon.
The result was a consolation win for England, who had already missed out on the tri-series final. It also offered a contrast to the teams’ previous meeting a week earlier, when Sri Lanka had pulled off an astonishing pursuit of 430. This time, England set a huge target of their own, and Sri Lanka stayed close enough to make the finish tense.
Duckett made 167 from 132 balls as England scored 386 for five in 50 overs. He and Tom Banton built an opening stand of 163 before Banton was out for 74. Duckett continued to his highest score in one-day internationals, while Harry Brook added 44, Will Jacks made 30 and Jordan Cox struck 43 from 27 balls. England fell short of 400, but the runs from the middle order helped secure a commanding total. Joe Root was not needed to bat.
Sri Lanka’s reply began with purpose. Kusal Mendis scored 89, and Pavan Rathnayake made 118 from 77 balls, including a century reached in 70 deliveries. They kept pace with the required rate for much of the chase, and Sri Lanka needed 87 runs from the last 10 overs. A stand of 72 from just 38 balls between Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage briefly put England under pressure.
Dawson changed the feel of the chase. He had already removed opener Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka before taking Rathnayake’s wicket in the 45th over. Sri Lanka then lost their final five wickets for only 16 runs and were all out for 331 after 45.1 overs. Dawson finished with four for 49. Sam Curran and Sonny Baker also helped England close out the innings after Sri Lanka’s late push.
Duckett’s century was his second in a row, following his 105 against Pakistan. His form, along with Banton’s run of five scores above 50 in his past six innings, gives England selectors a choice to weigh when Jacob Bethell returns from injury. Coach Brendon McCullum said the team would consider conditions and the opposition as it prepares for Australia.
England’s campaign ends with a win, but the match also showed areas to work on: the tri-series had exposed inexperience in the bowling attack, especially through the middle overs. Sri Lanka now turn to Sunday’s final against Pakistan, while England are due to travel to Australia for three one-day internationals and five T20 matches in November. The Lahore result gives England a strong batting performance to carry forward, and a reminder that holding nerve at the end matters as much as setting a big total.