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England out of tri-series after Sri Lanka beat Pakistan

Q: What is this sports story about?

Sri Lanka thrash Pakistan by eight wickets to end England's hopes of reaching Saturday's tri-series final.

Q: Who published this story?

This story was published by BBC Sport on October 27, 2026 and curated on Africa Front.

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African Startups, Trade & AfCFTA, Infrastructure

October 27, 2026

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England out of tri-series after Sri Lanka beat Pakistan

Published25 minutes ago

One-day international tri-series, Lahore

Pakistan 110 (25.2 overs): Babar 29; Madushanka 5-34

Sri Lanka 114-2 (18.1 overs): Kaminudu 62*

Sri Lanka won by eight wickets

Scorecard

England are out of their 50-over tri-series in Pakistan after the hosts were beaten by Sri Lanka on Tuesday in Lahore.

After three defeats from three, Harry Brook's side needed Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka to have a chance of reaching Saturday's final by beating Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Instead, that match will be a dead rubber after Pakistan collapsed to 110 all out and Sri Lanka raced to their target in just 18.1 overs.

Though conditions will be significantly different at next year's World Cup in southern Africa, the exit is a blow to England, who had built some momentum in their one-day international cricket this year.

After their dismal World Cup defence in 2023 and exiting the Champions Trophy without winning a match last year, England had won away in Sri Lanka and beaten India and Sri Lanka at home in 2026.

In Pakistan, they failed to chase 303 despite being well placed at 120-1 and then suffered two extraordinary losses.

On Thursday they were unable to defend 430 as Sri Lanka pulled off the second-highest chase in ODI history and three days later a last-wicket stand of 89 secured an incredible win for Pakistan.

After their tournament concludes on Thursday, England travel to Australia for a tour of three ODIs and five T20s, starting on 13 November.

They are also scheduled to play a warm-up against a Western Australia XI on Saturday, 7 November in Perth.

For Sri Lanka, left-armer Dilshan Madushanka landed blows before Saturday's final by taking 5-34 against Pakistan.

The hosts were unable to stop the regular loss of wickets with Babar Azam the highest scorer with 29.

Opener Kamindu Mendis hit 62 not out from 60 balls to secure the rapid win.