England Beat Sri Lanka by 55 Runs in Lahore

England beat Sri Lanka by 55 runs in the final league match of the ODI tri-series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday, 29 October 2026. England posted 386 for five in their 50 overs, then bowled Sri Lanka out for 331 in 45.1 overs to claim their first win of the series.

The result was a consolation win for England. Three straight defeats had already ended their hopes of reaching Saturday’s final, which Pakistan will contest against Sri Lanka in Lahore. England still finished the group stage with a win to take home, and they did it in style after a batting display built on two century partnerships.

Ben Duckett led the way with 167 from 132 balls, including 24 fours. It was his highest score in one-day internationals, and his second hundred in a row at the Gaddafi Stadium. Tom Banton made 74 from 75 balls at the top of the order, and captain Harry Brook added a brisk 44 from 34 balls.

England beat Sri Lanka with a batting masterclass

Duckett and Banton put on 163 for the first wicket, and Duckett then added 107 for the second wicket with Brook. Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis had won the toss and chosen to field first, but the decision backfired as England’s batters controlled the innings from the start.

Duckett fell in the 42nd over, caught at short fine leg off Eshan Malinga. Jordan Cox then kept the momentum going with 43 from 27 balls, while Will Jacks made 30 and Sam Curran finished unbeaten on 21. England added 92 runs in the last 10 overs.

Asitha Fernando took two wickets for 63 runs and was Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler. Malinga’s only wicket cost 101 runs from his 10 overs, the most expensive figures of the match.

Sri Lanka’s chase threatened to produce another famous win. Pavan Rathnayake scored 118 from 77 balls, and Kusal Mendis made 89 as the visitors passed 300 with five wickets still in hand. Liam Dawson then broke the stand by dismissing Rathnayake, and the chase fell away. Dawson finished with four wickets for 49 runs, while Sonny Baker took two for 75. Curran, Joe Root and Henry Crocombe took one wicket each.

What the result means for the tri-series final

The final, on Saturday, 31 October in Lahore, will now be played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka reached the final after beating England twice earlier in the series, including a chase of 430 in Rawalpindi last week, the second-highest successful run chase in one-day history.

Feature Pakistan covered England’s innings as it happened in Duckett’s 167 powers England to a big total, and previewed the final in Hesson expects big players to stand up for the final. England’s win changes nothing about the final pairing, but it does change the mood around the tournament. A side that had lost three games in a row, and had conceded 89 runs for the last wicket to Pakistan, finally defended a total.

For Sri Lanka, the defeat is a warning before the final. Their batting showed it can chase almost any total, but their bowling leaked 386 runs on a batting-friendly pitch. Pakistan’s batters will have noted how Duckett and Banton attacked the new ball, and how the middle order kept scoring after Duckett fell.

England beat Sri Lanka: key numbers

Duckett’s innings also extended his remarkable record at the Gaddafi Stadium. He now has three centuries in four innings at the ground, after his previous best of 165 against Australia in the Champions Trophy at the same venue last year.

Frequently asked questions

Who won the England vs Sri Lanka tri-series match in Lahore?

England won by 55 runs, scoring 386 for five before bowling Sri Lanka out for 331 in 45.1 overs.

Who scored the most runs in the match?

Ben Duckett scored 167 from 132 balls for England, while Pavan Rathnayake top-scored for Sri Lanka with 118 from 77 balls.

Who plays in the tri-series final?

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will contest the final in Lahore on Saturday, 31 October 2026. England were already out of contention before this match.