Brook's fastest double ton in vain as Sri Lanka chase historic 430

In the tri-series in Pakistan, Sri Lanka pulled off an unforgettable heist to put England on the verge of defeat, putting Harry Brook's record-breaking 202 in doubt.

Brook’s double-hundred was the first by an England batter in one-day internationals and the fastest ever in the format off 114 deliveries, three fewer than India’s Shubman Gill against the West Indies last month.

Before cruising to a 75-ball century, England's white-ball captain scored 13 off his first 24 deliveries. In the final over, he added a second century to support his team's massive 429 for four.

Yet their fourth-highest 50-over score and best overseas total against a Test-playing nation was insufficient as a callow attack missing double World Cup winner Adil Rashid was put to the sword in a two-wicket defeat.

Sri Lanka recovered from 24 for two thanks to Pavan Rathnayake’s 130 off 106 balls and knocks of 97 from both Avishka Fernando and Dasun Shanaka, despite the asking rate being in double figures for most of the reply.

However, having whittled the target down to eight runs from the final over Janith Liyanage belted Josh Tongue’s penultimate delivery for six as Sri Lanka recorded the second-highest ODI run-chase ever.

Two defeats from two puts England in last-chance saloon territory if they are to make next weekend’s final in Lahore, despite Brook’s brilliance after his side were asked to bat first in Rawalpindi.

With his inventive scoops, flicks, and ramps in addition to more conventional drives, cuts, and pulls, Brook skillfully used the crease to open up his preferred scoring areas, resulting in runs all over the court.

Only Dunith Wellalage escaped a sustained assault; the left-arm spinner had Tom Banton caught in the deep for a flawless 50 and Ben Duckett lbw for a sketchy 29 to earn impressive figures in the circumstances of two for 56. Only Dunith Wellalage was spared the brunt of the assault.

As Pakistan slow left-armer Arafat Minhas mauled England less than 48 hours earlier, Brook and Joe Root were initially circumspect, struggling for timing as they went 38 balls without a boundary.

Brook, on the other hand, seized the opportunity presented by Kamindu Mendis' part-time left-arm spin and hit a floaty delivery straight for his first boundary before hitting back-to-back sixes from a drag down.

On 67, Brook got a thin edge to Dilshan Madushanka’s off-cutter but the ball bounced in front of Kusal Mendis.

Root became the first Englishman to 8,000 ODI runs before he miscued Asitha Fernando to Wellalage in the ring to depart for 69, ending a 159-run stand with Brook – although the promotion of Will Jacks to number five saw no let-up for Sri Lanka.

With another scoop over his shoulder for his ninth four, Brook reached his fourth ODI hundred at this point, making him into the 90s.

Jacks got into the thick of it with three fours in an over off Madushanka before taking 24 runs from Shanaka in the 48th over, taking Brook from 100 to 150 in just 22 deliveries.

Brook surpassed Ben Stokes’ England ODI-best 182 by whipping Madushanka high over the leg side and needing 14 from the final over, he got there from the penultimate ball with his 21st four to go with 10 sixes.

While he holed out from the last ball of the innings, he helped to add 156 in the last 10 overs alongside Jacks, who contributed 66 not out off 30 deliveries.

Even though Tongue castrated Kamindu Mendis, Sri Lanka did not give up. Kusal Mendis was run out at the non-striker's end by Gus Atkinson without receiving a delivery.

Fernando rebuilt and he was within one hit of a century when a top-edge looped back to bowler Jamie Overton, ending a 166-run stand with Rathnayake.

As Rathnayake struggled to contain England, Shanaka emerged from the traps to assist. Banton held on to defeat Rathnayake despite the evening dew, and Shanaka smashed three sixes into Sam Curran in an over that cost $20.

Curran gave up 103 runs in nine overs, and Sri Lanka refused to give up as Liyanage took over the bat while Shanaka was also caught in the deep.

Tongue bowled Wellalage and Eshan Malinga in the final over, giving England hope. However, Liyanage, who scored 61 not out, had the last word, hitting high and handsome over long-off to secure a famous victory.