Ben Duckett smashed a career-best 167 as England defeated Sri Lanka by 55 runs in the final league match of the tri-series in Lahore on Thursday. Pavan Rathnayake’s brilliant 118 went in vain as Sri Lanka failed to chase the challenging target of 387.
England posted 386/5 after being put in to bat, with Duckett anchoring the innings with 24 boundaries in his 132-ball knock. He shared a 163-run opening partnership with Tom Banton, who scored 74 off 75 balls. Duckett also added 107 runs with captain Harry Brook, who contributed 44.
Chasing 387, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 331 in 45.1 overs. Rathnayake struck 118 off 77 balls, including 15 fours and a six, while Kusal Mendis scored 89 from 71 deliveries. Avishka Fernando added 48. Sri Lanka needed 87 runs from the final 10 overs, but Liam Dawson dismissed Rathnayake in the 45th over to turn the contest decisively.
Dawson finished with career-best figures of 4/49, while Sonny Baker claimed 2/75. Despite the defeat, Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in Saturday’s tri-series final in Lahore.
England finished their campaign with just one win in four matches.