Brook’s record-breaking double ton powers England to highest ODI total in Pakistan

England captain Harry Brook produced a breathtaking batting display, smashing the fastest double century in men’s ODI cricket to propel his side to a record-breaking 429/4 against Sri Lanka in the tri-series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Brook reached the landmark in just 114 balls, surpassing India captain Shubman Gill’s previous record of 117 deliveries, set against the West Indies earlier this year. His extraordinary innings helped England register the highest ODI total ever recorded in Pakistan, eclipsing the hosts’ 375/3 against Zimbabwe in 2015.

How did England make a flying start?

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis opted to field first, but England’s openers immediately put the decision under pressure with an aggressive start.

Tom Banton and Ben Duckett combined for a 74-run opening stand before left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage struck twice in consecutive overs to give Sri Lanka some relief.

Banton led the charge with 50 off 51 deliveries, striking nine boundaries, while Duckett contributed 29 from 39 balls.

How did Brook and Root take control?

Brook joined Joe Root at the crease following the opening wickets, and the pair transformed England’s promising start into a commanding position.

The third-wicket partnership yielded 159 runs, with both batters reaching half-centuries and keeping Sri Lanka’s bowlers under sustained pressure.

Root also achieved a significant personal milestone, becoming the first England batter to score 8,000 runs in men’s ODIs. He reached the landmark in his 186th innings, joining an elite group of 34 players to cross the mark.

The experienced batter eventually departed for 69 off 66 deliveries, including eight fours, when Asitha Fernando broke the partnership with the first ball of the 38th over.

How did Brook and Jacks unleash the final assault?

Brook continued his remarkable innings after Root’s dismissal, accelerating dramatically alongside all-rounder Will Jacks to dismantle Sri Lanka’s bowling attack in the closing overs.

The pair added a staggering 185 runs from just 77 deliveries, taking England beyond the 400-run mark and putting the contest firmly in their favour.

Jacks played a blistering supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 60 from 33 balls, with eight fours and three sixes.

Brook, meanwhile, finished with 202 off 116 deliveries, which is a record for the highest individual score in an ODI played in Pakistan, overtaking former South Africa captain Gary Kirsten, whose unbeaten 188 against the United Arab Emirates in Rawalpindi in 1996 had stood as the benchmark. His dismissal to Janith Liyanage on the final ball of the innings brought an end to a historic knock.

The England skipper also surpassed Ben Stokes’ 182 against New Zealand in 2023 to register the highest individual score by an English batter in men’s ODI cricket.

Wellalage emerged as Sri Lanka’s most effective bowler, claiming two wickets for 56 runs in his allotted 10 overs. Fernando and Liyanage picked up one wicket each, but neither could prevent England from rewriting the record books.