England seek consolation win

Sri Lanka fine-tune preparations for ODI tri-series final against Pakistan

Sri Lanka return to Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday with a place in the ODI tri-series final secured, while England face the challenge of salvaging pride from a campaign that has unravelled despite flashes of extraordinary batting.

The contrasting fortunes of the teams have made their final league encounter a contest without qualification stakes but with plenty to prove, particularly for England, who have suffered three successive defeats.

Sri Lanka have emerged as the tournament's most resilient side, recovering from an opening 37-run defeat by Pakistan to win two consecutive matches and secure their place in Saturday's final against the Green-shirts.

Their campaign's defining moment came in Rawalpindi on October 22, when they chased down 430 against England to win by two wickets with one ball remaining.

This was also the second highest chase in the ODI history.

England’s captain Harry Brook smashed a record-breaking 202, but his effort was overshadowed by Sri Lanka's remarkable pursuit of 430.

Sri Lanka followed that performance with another commanding display on Tuesday, bowling Pakistan out for 110 before chasing the target in the 19th over to seal an eight-wicket victory. Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka destroyed Pakistan’s batting to finish with excellent figures of 5-34.

England's struggles have extended beyond that extraordinary defeat. They opened with an 87-run loss to Pakistan in Rawalpindi and then suffered a one-wicket defeat against the hosts in Lahore on Sunday, despite having kept Pakistan under pressure.

It was Shadab, who dented their hopes with an innings of his life as he completed his maiden ODI century and shared 89-run for a record tenth-wicket unbroken stand to make Pakistan home with 15 balls to spare.

Their final opportunity to register a win offers Brook's side a chance to restore some confidence before leaving Pakistan.

England know Sri Lanka’s strength well as they have beaten them recently in two series 2-1 each, held both at home and away.

Harry Brook as a captain failed in the series. His charges failed to defend the totals twice when they were in a much better position to win those outings.

Captain’s ability is really tested in such situations and England will need to address that aspect which is very important for them to prepare well for the next year’s World Cup.

A team batting second is benefitted at Lahore due to dew factor.

And Sri Lanka’s bowling coach Van Niekerk has nicely described the difference between the wickets of Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Van Niekerk said the Lahore surface had played reasonably well, although it appeared slightly slower and offered more tennis-ball bounce than the Rawalpindi pitch, where dew had caused the ball to skid on.

With Sri Lanka preparing to face England in their final league game on Thursday, the coach said the team's renewed focus on wicket-taking intent and consistent execution would remain central to its approach

Sri Lanka may rest some key players for the Saturday’s final.