Ben Duckett's epic 167 and Liam Dawson's late wickets rescued England from another Sri Lankan chase, despite a 118 from Pavan Rathnayake.
Ben Duckett played the knock of the tri-series in Lahore, smashing 167 to power England to 386 and then watching his bowlers hold their nerve to beat Sri Lanka in a game that went down to the final overs.
Sri Lanka had already secured a place in Saturday's final against Pakistan, but they chased as if the dead rubber meant everything. Pavan Rathnayake was again the danger man, building toward his third ODI century against England and dragging the target of 387 within reach. With 87 needed from the last 10 overs, the momentum was firmly with the chasing side.
Then England's attack stayed composed when it counted. Liam Dawson removed Rathnayake for 118, and the innings fell apart. The last five Sri Lankan wickets went down in the space of just three overs, turning a tense chase into a collapse and handing England a consolation win.
The result will not change the shape of the final, with Sri Lanka and Pakistan set to meet on Saturday. But for England, it is a welcome way to close out the tri-series: a big hundred from Duckett, a decisive spell from Dawson, and a reminder that they can still finish games under pressure.
