Janith Liyanage's penultimate-ball 6 guides Sri Lanka to historic ODI chase over England [Watch]

Sri Lanka pulled off the second-highest successful run chase in ODI cricket history, defeating England by two wickets with one ball to spare in a record-shattering tri-series encounter on Thursday. Chasing a daunting target of 430, Sri Lanka finished at 430 for 8 in 49.5 overs.

The target came after England posted 429 for 4 in 50 overs. Harry Brook led the charge, blasting 202 off 116 balls. Brook reached his double century in just 114 balls. It was the fastest double hundred in ODI history, breaking the previous mark of 117 balls held by India's Shubman Gill.

Brook’s knock featured 21 fours and 10 sixes. He added an unbroken 185-run partnership with Will Jacks, who smashed an unbeaten 66 off 30 deliveries. Joe Root contributed 69 off 66 balls, while Tom Banton added 50 at the top.

Sri Lanka remained undaunted despite losing early momentum. Pavan Rathnayake paced the chase with a second ODI century, hitting 130 off 106 balls with 15 boundaries and three sixes.

Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka provided crucial support, each falling just short of centuries with 97 runs apiece. Shanaka's explosive 50-ball knock featured eight sixes to keep the required run rate manageable.

Janith Liyanage delivered the final blow with an unbeaten 61 off 27 balls. His late blitz countered Josh Tongue’s late burst of 3 for 79 in 8.5 overs. He sealed the victory by launching a full delivery over long-off for six with six runs required off the final two deliveries, as the entire Sri Lankan outfit came running onto the pitch to celebrate the historic milestone.

Watch the clip here:

"Everyone believed we can do it" - Sri Lankan captain Kusal Mendis on historic win over England

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis praised his squad’s self-belief and character following their record-breaking run chase against England.

Mendis credited team meetings for reinforcing their confidence to hunt down massive targets on the international stage.

"Yeah, I think everyone believed we can do it," Mendis said at the post-match presentation ceremony. "Every day we are in the meeting, we are talking about character and we believe in ourselves. Everybody knows how to play, and we showed that we can play and score in today's chase."

While Mendis noted, "we will have a small party," he stressed that they will shift their focus to the next game. Sri Lanka will lock horns with Pakistan next on October 27 in Lahore.

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