Ben Duckett struck his third century at the Gaddafi Stadium but nearly ended up on the losing side again as England held off Pavan Rathnayake’s charge to beat Sri Lanka by 55 runs in the final league match of the tri-nation series on Thursday.

Duckett hit a career-best 167 — his sixth ODI century — to help England post 386 for five. Rathnayake, who scored 130 to play a key role in Sri Lanka’s successful 430-run chase last week, scored 118 but ran out of partners as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 331 in 45.1 overs.

The victory was a consolation for England, who had already been eliminated from contention for Saturday’s final, in which Sri Lanka will face Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Duckett had previously scored 165 against Australia in March 2025 and 105 against Pakistan on Sunday at the Gaddafi Stadium, but England lost on both occasions. A similar outcome looked likely when Sri Lanka reached 315 for five, needing 72 runs from 45 balls.

However, Sri Lanka lost five wickets for 16 runs in 16 balls, allowing England to secure victory after heartbreaking defeats against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi and Pakistan in Lahore.

Rathnayake, the eighth batter to be dismissed, struck 118 off 77 balls, including 15 fours and a six. He featured in three important partnerships that kept Sri Lanka in the hunt.

He added 80 runs off 59 balls for the third wicket with captain Kusal Mendis, followed by 72 off 38 balls with Janith Liyanage (27). His 57-run sixth-wicket stand with Sahan Arachchige (30) came off 42 balls and brought Sri Lanka closer to the target, but the lower order could not sustain the momentum.

Mendis struck eight fours and five sixes in his 71-ball 89 before falling short of a century.
Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson proved decisive, taking four for 49 in his 10 overs. Fast bowler Sonny Baker claimed two for 75.

Earlier, Duckett made 167 before becoming the third England batter to fall at 301 in the 42nd over. England capitalised on his innings to finish with 386 for five in 50 overs.

Duckett’s 132-ball knock included 24 fours. He reached his half-century off 46 balls, with seven fours, and brought up his century off 89 balls, having struck 14 fours. His 150 came off 118 balls and included 22 fours.

Duckett shared an opening stand of 163 off 151 balls with Tom Banton, who scored 74 off 75 balls, including eight fours and two sixes. For the second wicket, Duckett added 107 off 75 balls with captain Harry Brook, who contributed 44 off 34 balls, including three fours and two sixes.

Jordan Cox struck 43 off 27 balls, with three fours and a six, while Will Jacks made 30 off 21 balls, including four fours. Sam Curran finished unbeaten on 21 off 12 balls, hitting a four and a six.

Scores in brief:

Match 6 – England beat Sri Lanka by 55 runs, Lahore

England 386-5, 50 overs (Ben Duckett 167, Tom Banton 74, Harry Brook 44, Jordan Cox 43, Will Jacks 30, Sam Curran 21 not out; Asitha Fernando 2-63)

Sri Lanka 331 all out, 45.1 overs (Pavan Rathnayake 118, Kusal Mendis 89, Avishka Fernando 48, Sahan Arachchige 30, Janith Liyanage 27; Liam Dawson 4-49, Sonny Baker 2-75)

Player of the match – Ben Duckett (England)

Next match (final) – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Saturday, 31 October