Big picture: No jeopardy in final group game
That dominant eight-wicket win should give Sri Lanka belief that they are on the right track ahead of next year’s World Cup in southern Africa, not least with the injured Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga still to return. They are not a perfect side, and strong opposition will exploit their lack of a fifth frontline bowler, but they have clearly grown in confidence over the past fortnight.
As for England? It would be easy to write their two recent defeats off as freak occurrences, but they have developed an unwanted habit of losing close games under Brendon McCullum which dates back to his previous role as Test coach. They seemed finally to have made some progress in 50-over cricket after three consecutive series wins earlier this year, but have now won as many ODIs as they have lost (six each) in 2026.
Form guide
Sri Lanka: WWLLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
England: LLLWL
In the spotlight: Kusal Mendis and Jordan Cox
Team news: Room for experimentation
Mendis suggested that his side will consider making “a couple of changes” after securing their progress, with Dushmantha Chameera and spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Sachindu Colombage among those waiting in the wings.
Sri Lanka: (possible) 1 Kamindu Mendis, 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis (capt/wk), 4 Pavan Rathnayake, 5 Sahan Arachchige, 6 Janith Liyanage, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Dunith Wellalage/Maheesh Theekshana, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Eshan Malinga/Asitha Fernando, 11 Dilshan Madushanka.
With nothing to play for, there is a case for England to rest their Test quicks – Josh Tongue, who has been struggling with a sore toe, and Gus Atkinson – and instead learn more about Sonny Baker and Henry Crocombe. The uncapped pair James Coles and Mason Crane are yet to feature in this series, and England will also weigh up a potential recall for Adil Rashid.
England: (possible) 1 Tom Banton, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Joe Root, 4 Harry Brook (capt), 5 Jordan Cox (wk), 6 Will Jacks, 7 Sam Curran/Liam Dawson, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Adil Rashid, 10 Sonny Baker, 11 Henry Crocombe.
Pitch and conditions: Low scores in Lahore
231 for 9, 157 all out, 241 all out, 110 all out. Those are the scores that teams have managed batting first in the four men’s ODIs at Gaddafi Stadium this year, though 300 was regularly breached at last year’s Champions Trophy. Expect another warm afternoon, with temperatures forecast to hit 30 degrees and zero threat of rain.
Stats and trivia
- England have lost six ODIs in a row in Pakistan: three in this tri-series, and three in last year’s Champions Trophy. Their most recent ODI win in Pakistan came in December 2005.
- Dasun Shanaka had reached 35 once in his last 22 ODI innings before he hit 97 off 50 balls against England last Thursday.
- Dunith Wellalage needs two wickets to reach 50 in ODIs, aged just 23.
- Joe Root would have hoped to play his 200th ODI in Saturday’s final. Instead, he will reach that landmark on England’s tour to Australia next month.
Quotes
“We have to play our normal game with our normal intensity, and practise the conditions before the final.”
Kusal Mendis says his side won’t take their foot off the gas.
“It gives you a little bit of backing and just lets you know, ‘I’m good enough to be here’.”
Henry Crocombe tells the Press Association that he took confidence from making his debut on Sunday, even if he was expensive.
Matt Roller is a senior correspondent at Cricinfo. @mroller98
