Sri Lanka Vs England LIVE Score, Tri-Series 2026: Ben Duckett Looks In Touch As He Nears Fifty |ENG 80/0 (12.3)

England’s openers accelerated after settling, dismantling Sri Lanka's attack to pass 50 without loss. Tom Banton struck consecutive boundaries off Eshan Malinga, while Ben Duckett capitalized on Asitha Fernando’s costly no-ball over. Banton then reverse-swept Dunith Wellalage’s left-arm spin for four, keeping England in total control through eight overs.

Opting to field in Lahore, Sri Lanka’s pacers extracted early movement, with Asitha Fernando bowling a probing maiden to Tom Banton. However, England’s openers quickly settled. Banton found his touch with consecutive off-side boundaries, while Ben Duckett punished Dilshan Madushanka’s loose lengths to take England to 21/0 after four overs.

Offering a pitch assessment at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Waqar Younis noted that the surface presents a distinct challenge compared to the previous venues. Unlike the heavily grassed, batter-friendly track in Rawalpindi, this Lahore deck features less grass and has been rolled exceptionally hard by the ground staff. While this firm surface and the new ball will keep the fast bowlers key early on, heavy rolling has already caused visible cracks to appear, leading Younis to predict that spinners will play a significant role as the match progresses.

Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook(c), Jordan Cox(w), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Henry Crocombe

Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

Sri Lanka win toss and have opted to bowl first. Kamindu Mendis, the Sri Lankan skipper, confirmed that they are fielding the same playing XI.

Sri Lanka: Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w/c), Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Sachindu Colombage, Maheesh Theekshana

England: Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook(c), Jordan Cox(w), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Henry Crocombe, Adil Rashid, Mason Crane, Josh Tongue, James Coles, Sonny Baker

Pakistan are known making ‘roads’! Yeah, that’s how their pitches should be described. However, Gaddafi Stadium has been an exception. It has witnessed modest first-innings totals in its four men’s ODIs this year, with scores of 231/9, 157, 241 and 110. This contrasts sharply with last year’s Champions Trophy, when 300-plus totals were common.

England in this tri-series have been unfortunate. Perhaps, it was a tale of missed opportunities. They have lost three games on the trot despite putting Sri Lanka and Pakistan in seemingly unwinnable positions. Their struggles on Pakistani soil underline a wider concern about their ability to close out tight contests and convert promising performances into victories.

It's a dead rubber after England were eliminated from the Tri-series. Harry Brook and his men will seek redemption against a confident Sri Lanka, desperate to salvage pride after three crushing defeats.