‘We talk about showing character, we can chase any score’: Kusal Mendis after SL’s historic win over England

Rawalpindi: Following Sri Lanka’s historic chase of 430 runs against England, captain Kusal Mendis praised his team for displaying character and belief, admitting that he enjoyed the remarkable run chase as skipper.

England captain Harry Brook had earlier created history by becoming the first Englishman to score a double century in men’s ODIs. However, Sri Lanka’s batters rose to the occasion, completing their highest successful ODI chase and the second-highest successful chase in the format’s history.

Centuries from Pavan Rathnayake and explosive contributions from Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka and Janith Liyanage proved decisive as Sri Lanka matched the impact of Brook’s historic innings to hand England their second defeat in the tri-series, which also features Pakistan.

Speaking after the match, Kusal said, "We chased very well today, I enjoyed it as captain. Me and coach spoke to the batters and said to play the first couple of overs normally. Then we decided for Dasun to come earlier, but everybody showed their character. I am very happy as a captain. Everyone believed we can do it. Everyday we talk about showing the character in team meetings, and it is about showing we can get any score."

Brook's double century powers England to 429/4

Asked to bat first by Sri Lanka, England got off to a solid start, with Tom Banton (50 off 51 balls, including nine fours) and Ben Duckett (29 off 39 balls, including two fours) adding 74 runs for the opening wicket. Their dismissals left England at 85/2.

Brook then joined Joe Root, and the pair steadied the innings with a 159-run partnership. Root scored 69 off 66 deliveries, striking eight fours, while Brook continued his assault on the Sri Lankan bowling attack.

Root also achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first Englishman to score 8,000 runs in ODIs. He now has 8,005 runs from 197 matches and 186 innings at an average of 50.66, including 20 centuries and 49 half-centuries, with a highest score of 166 not out.

England finished with an imposing 429/4, thanks to Brook's record-breaking 202 off 116 balls, featuring 21 fours and 10 sixes. Will Jacks provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 66 off just 30 deliveries, hitting eight fours and three sixes.

Dunith Wellalage was Sri Lanka's most successful bowler, claiming 2/56. However, Eshan Malinga and Dilshan Madushanka endured difficult outings, conceding 91 and 89 runs respectively in their 10-over spells. Dasun Shanaka also leaked 74 runs in six overs.

Rathnayake, Shanaka and Liyanage seal historic chase

Sri Lanka's pursuit got off to a shaky start as they slumped to 24/2, losing Kamindu Mendis (18) and captain Kusal Mendis (0) early.

Avishka Fernando and Pavan Rathnayake then launched a determined counter-attack, adding 166 runs for the third wicket. Fernando narrowly missed out on a century, scoring 97 off 83 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes.

Rathnayake carried the innings forward with a career-best 130 off 106 deliveries, striking 15 fours and three sixes. He subsequently combined with the aggressive Shanaka to put Sri Lanka firmly in contention, with the pair adding 133 runs.

Shanaka smashed 97 off just 50 balls, including six fours and eight sixes, before his dismissal in the 44th over left Sri Lanka needing 67 runs from the final six overs.

With the pressure mounting, Janith Liyanage delivered a match-winning performance, scoring an unbeaten 61 off 27 balls, with seven fours and three sixes. He received crucial support from the lower order as Sri Lanka completed the extraordinary chase.

Josh Tongue briefly threatened to derail the pursuit by taking back-to-back wickets in the final over, finishing with figures of 3/79. However, Sri Lanka held their nerve to cross the finish line and register a memorable victory.

Sam Curran was also taken apart by the Sri Lankan batters, conceding 103 runs in nine overs while claiming two wickets.

The victory underlined Sri Lanka's resilience and batting depth, as they pulled off a remarkable chase against an England side that had appeared firmly in control after Brook's record-breaking double century. (ANI)