He also lauded England batter Harry Brook for his outstanding double century and emphasised the need to promote Test cricket.
Telangana Cabinet Minister and former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin on Friday praised Sri Lanka for their remarkable run chase against England, saying that chasing a target of 400 runs seemed “completely unreal” in modern-day cricket. Speaking to ANI, Azharuddin said Sri Lanka’s determination to keep fighting despite England’s massive total was commendable, adding that the high-scoring contest provided excellent entertainment for cricket fans.
Otherwise, if you give up hope, then such a score isn’t made. But Harry Brook also played very well, I congratulate him as well. But this was a very good match, I mean it was entertainment. In a high-scoring thriller, Sri Lanka produced a sensational batting display to overcome the massive target and register a memorable win, despite Brook’s historic knock that saw him become the first English batter to score a double century in men’s ODI cricket.
Because they kept hope that we too can win, we too can make that much of a score, but I congratulate the Sri Lankan team very much. “To me, 400 seems completely unreal, but nowadays cricket has become like this. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka scripted a remarkable victory over England in the third match of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026 on Thursday, chasing down a massive target of 430 runs after Brook’s record-breaking double century powered England to 429/4 in Rawalpindi.
It was very good entertainment for the public,” Azharuddin said.
Janith Liyanage played a crucial role in the closing stages, contributing an unbeaten half-century as Sri Lanka maintained their charge to complete the extraordinary run chase. Brook smashed 202 off just 116 deliveries, registering the fastest double century in ODI history. His innings was studded with 21 fours and 10 sixes. Joe Root provided valuable support with 69 off 66 balls, while Will Jacks struck an unbeaten 66 off just 30 deliveries to propel England to their imposing total.
