Ben Duckett cemented his status as a modern ODI icon by becoming the third England opener to score 150 or more twice in the format, guiding his side to a crucial consolation victory over Sri Lanka in Lahore. The 32-year-old produced a majestic 167 from 132 balls, anchoring a dominant 386-5 total that set a formidable target. Although Sri Lanka mounted a spirited chase, needing 87 runs from the final 10 overs, they fell short as Liam Dawson struck back with a devastating 4-49 to close out the tri-series with a win.
Historic opener and sharp bowling secure a final-match win in Lahore
The match mirrored the high-scoring spectacle of their previous encounter, where Sri Lanka chased down 430, yet England’s depth proved decisive in the final moments. Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis and others kept the pressure on, but the pace and accuracy of Dawson in the death overs dismantled their momentum. While Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando took two early wickets for 63, it was not enough to offset the damage inflicted by England’s bowlers in the crucial final phase of the innings.
This result provides a positive note for England as they conclude the tournament, highlighting the consistency of their top order and the lethal impact of their pace attack. Duckett’s milestone reinforces his reliability in high-pressure situations, while Dawson’s performance underscores the value of having a specialist death bowler in the squad. With the tri-series now behind them, both teams will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming international fixtures.
Source: BBC Sport
