Duckett hits career-best 167 as Dawson's four wickets seal England win

Ben Duckett produced a sublime century and Liam Dawson’s four-wicket haul secured England a consolation victory over Sri Lanka in their final match of the tri-series in Lahore, according to BBC News ^[1]. The left-hander smashed 167 from 132 balls, guiding England to an imposing 386-5, while the all-rounder claimed the key scalps to deny Sri Lanka a repeat of last week’s historic chase.

Duckett’s performance was a masterclass in patience and power, marking his highest ODI score and his third century at the Gaddafi Stadium, as reported by The Guardian ^[2]. He forged a 163-run opening partnership with Tom Banton, who fell for a frustrating 74 after dragging his stumps. Despite England’s commanding total, Sri Lanka remained in contention throughout, needing 87 runs off the final ten overs to win.

Pavan Rathnayake, who had scored 130 in the previous match, led Sri Lanka’s pursuit with a blistering 118 off just 77 balls. However, the tourists collapsed late in the innings, losing their last five wickets for only 16 runs. Dawson proved decisive, dismissing Rathnayake in the 45th over to finish with figures of four for 49, ensuring England won by 55 runs.

England’s middle order contributed with Harry Brook scoring 44 and Jordan Cox hitting a quickfire 43, though Joe Root was not required to bat as the team pushed for an even higher total. The match highlighted England’s batting depth but also exposed concerns about their spin bowling, with part-timers conceding heavily in the middle overs.

With this result, Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in the tri-series final on Sunday, having already qualified. England, meanwhile, will travel to Australia in November for three one-day internationals and five T20 matches, where they must resolve the selection conundrum created by Duckett and Banton’s form ahead of Jacob Bethell’s return.