Harry Brook produced a record-breaking innings against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, scoring 202 runs to become the first England batter to reach a double-century in men’s one-day international cricket.
The England captain reached his double-century in just 114 balls, setting a new record for the fastest 200 in ODI history. He beat the previous mark set by India’s Shubman Gill against the West Indies in Guwahati three weeks earlier by three deliveries.
Brook’s final score of 202 also surpassed Ben Stokes’s 182 against New Zealand at The Oval in 2023 to become England’s highest individual score in men’s ODIs.
His innings helped England post the highest team total recorded in Pakistan, surpassing the previous record of 375 for three set by Pakistan against Zimbabwe in Lahore in 2015.
England Batter Joins Chris Gayle in Rare Achievement
Brook also became only the second cricketer to record a triple-century in Test cricket, a double-century in ODIs and a century in T20 internationals.
West Indies great Chris Gayle was the first player to achieve the combination across the three formats.
Brook’s performance added to a series of substantial scores that have strengthened his standing across international cricket.
Sri Lanka Bowlers Struggle to Contain Brook
Brook attacked Sri Lanka’s bowlers across the ground, using an extensive range of shots to punish deliveries of different lengths and directions.
He pulled short balls, while fuller deliveries were met with scoops, reverse scoops and shots over extra cover.
One of his 10 sixes came from an open-faced slice over backward point off Eshan Malinga, highlighting the variety of strokes he used during the innings.
Accurate yorkers offered Sri Lanka one of the few potential ways to restrict his scoring, but Brook continued to find opportunities to attack.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain described the innings on Sky Sports as “an innings touched by genius”, while Kumar Sangakkara referred to it as “batting Nirvana”.
Brook’s Numbers Across All Three Formats
Brook has continued to produce strong performances in Test, ODI and T20 cricket.
In Tests, he averages 53 at a strike rate of 86. In T20 internationals, he averages 36 with a strike rate of 164.
His performances in the shortest format include a 50-ball century against Pakistan in Pallekele in February, an innings described in the report as one of the standout performances of that year’s T20 World Cup.
In ODIs, Brook averages 41 and has a strike rate of almost 110, adding another dimension to his international record.
Shubman Gill and Travis Head Also in the Conversation
India’s Shubman Gill and Australia’s Travis Head are among the other batters discussed in comparisons of players capable of performing across formats.
Gill has established himself in the debate, although he has not played a T20 international for India since December 2025, according to the report.
Head has also delivered major performances on the international stage. He scored 163 in Australia’s victory over India in the 2023 World Test Championship final at The Oval, followed by 137 in the World Cup final in Ahmedabad later that year.
He also played a key role in Australia’s Ashes success last winter. While Brook scored his double-century against Sri Lanka, Head made 121 as Australia fought to save the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha.
Brook, however, is 27, while Head is approaching his 33rd birthday in December.
Root, Banton and Jacks Contribute to England’s Total
Although Brook dominated the innings, several other England batters made significant contributions.
Tom Banton scored a run-a-ball 50 before being caught at long-off. Joe Root added 69 from 66 deliveries, moving beyond 8,000 career ODI runs during his innings.
Will Jacks finished unbeaten on 66 from just 30 balls, providing further acceleration late in the innings. He was the only England batter other than Brook to hit a six during the performance.
Brook reached his double-century in the final over, guiding Janath Liyanage’s delivery fine for four. Jacks, batting at the other end, appeared particularly excited as Brook completed the milestone.
England Seek Consistency Ahead of Next World Cup
England’s performances in 50-over cricket have been inconsistent since their 2019 World Cup triumph under Eoin Morgan.
Under Brook’s leadership and the coaching of Brendon McCullum, the team has been working to establish a stronger position in the format.
England’s defeat to Pakistan on Tuesday demonstrated that improvements are still needed, despite Brook’s individual achievement against Sri Lanka.
His record-breaking innings nevertheless provided a significant performance for England as they continue their preparations for next year’s World Cup.
