England captain Harry Brook made history with a stunning 202 against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, becoming the first England batter to score a double century in a men’s one-day international.
The 27-year-old surpassed the previous England record of 182, set by Ben Stokes against New Zealand at The Oval in 2023.
Brook also established a new world record for the fastest double century in men’s ODIs, reaching the milestone in just 114 balls.
India’s Shubman Gill previously held the record after scoring a double century from 117 deliveries against the West Indies last month.
Brook’s innings was the 14th double century in men’s ODI history and the 12th-highest individual score in the format.
He was dismissed by the final delivery of England’s innings after producing an extraordinary display of power hitting.
England Captain Leads Side to Record Total in Pakistan
Brook’s performance propelled England to 429-4, the highest total ever recorded in a men’s one-day international in Pakistan.
England had lost their opening match of the tri-series against Pakistan at the same venue on Tuesday.
Brook had called on his batters to adopt a more positive approach, and he led by example against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
His innings featured a combination of inventive strokeplay, powerful hitting and precise placement.
He struck 21 fours and 10 sixes during his 116-ball stay at the crease.
Brook Accelerates After a Cautious Start
Brook began his innings relatively slowly, scoring just 13 runs from his first 24 deliveries before increasing the scoring rate.
He reached his half-century from 42 balls before completing his fourth ODI century in 75 deliveries.
The England captain then accelerated dramatically, taking only another 39 balls to progress from 100 to 200.
His rapid scoring transformed England’s innings and put Sri Lanka’s bowling attack under sustained pressure.
Root and Jacks Help England Build Massive Partnership
Brook received valuable support from his teammates as England built towards their imposing total.
After Tom Banton scored 50 and Ben Duckett contributed 29, Brook combined with Joe Root for a third-wicket partnership worth 159 runs.
Root was eventually dismissed for 69 after miscuing a shot.
Will Jacks was promoted to number five and joined Brook in a devastating partnership that added an unbeaten 185 runs from just 79 deliveries.
Jacks contributed 66 not out, reaching his half-century in only 25 balls as England accelerated towards the end of the innings.
England scored 156 runs in the final 10 overs, completing a remarkable late surge.
Stokes’ Record Falls as Brook Continues His Assault
Brook overtook Stokes’ previous England ODI record when he struck a six off a full toss from Sri Lanka left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka.
The shot, whipped over the leg side, took him beyond 182.
Brook did not visibly acknowledge the record as he continued attacking, and he was dropped at mid-off on 185 during the same over.
He began the final over, bowled by Janith Liyanage, on 186. Brook launched the first delivery over the covers for six before running two runs on each of the next two scoring opportunities.
He reached 200 with a paddle-sweep, prompting Jacks to celebrate as the ball travelled towards the boundary.
Two deliveries later, Brook’s innings ended when he skewed the final ball of England’s innings into the hands of the third-man fielder.
He walked off alongside Jacks after completing his historic knock.
Brook Maintains Impressive Record in Pakistan
The innings extended Brook’s outstanding record in Pakistan, where he has also enjoyed considerable success in Test cricket.
Across six Test matches in the country, he averages more than 80 and has scored four centuries.
His achievements include a monumental 317 against Pakistan in Multan two years ago.
Brook has also recorded stronger batting averages while captaining England’s white-ball teams.
In ODI cricket, he averages 56.04 as captain, compared with 25.2 when he plays without the armband.
His figures in T20 cricket show a similar difference, with an average of 47.57 as captain against 28.5 when not leading the side.
