Will Jacks is determined to extract value from England's precarious position in the tri-series, treating their final two group matches as a dress rehearsal for World Cup-style pressure after defeats by Pakistan and Sri Lanka have left them needing to win both remaining fixtures to reach the final.
According to Sky Sports, England had appeared poised to recover from their 87-run thrashing at the hands of Pakistan when Harry Brook's record-breaking 202 propelled them to 430 in their match on Thursday. Sri Lanka's response, however, proved extraordinary: they chased down that total on the penultimate delivery, securing a two-wicket victory in what ranks as the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history.
According to the ICC, only South Africa's 434-run chase against Australia in 2006 has surpassed Sri Lanka's achievement. Pavan Rathnayake scored 130 in the innings, while Janith Liyanage finished unbeaten on 61 from 27 balls and hit the winning six.
England now travel to Lahore knowing that victory over Pakistan on Sunday and then Sri Lanka on Thursday are mandatory if they are to secure a place in the final scheduled for Saturday, October 31. Jacks drew parallels with England's path through the 2019 World Cup, when the team recovered from early setbacks to eventually lift the trophy.
It's my first tri-series and it replicates World Cup-style pressure. You can't replicate that in training or a bilateral series.
Jacks told the Press Association on Friday that the experience mirrors the high-stakes environment of tournament cricket. He recalled how England navigated similar circumstances seven years earlier.
In World Cups you have to bounce back, I remember in 2019 when England lost a couple of games in the group and they had to win their last two [against India and New Zealand] and they were able to do that to take the momentum forward [into the semi-finals].
Looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, Jacks views this week as crucial preparation for the challenges that lie ahead in tournament cricket.
I'm not saying it's the same thing but it's a mini version of that and hopefully we can win on Sunday and move on. We have the opportunity to play in two must-win fixtures.
He emphasised the broader context of England's development as a squad.
Every game that we play is a stepping stone towards South Africa in 12 months' time. Sometimes you learn more in losses than you do in wins. There's always going to be bumps.
Curran's difficult return under scrutiny
The bowling performance in Rawalpindi came under intense examination after Sri Lanka's remarkable chase. A six-strong attack was dismantled by the opposition batsmen, with Sam Curran bearing the brunt of the criticism. Playing in only his second match following groin surgery, Curran conceded 103 runs from nine overs—the worst figures ever recorded by an England bowler in ODI cricket.
Jacks offered a sympathetic assessment of his teammate's situation, acknowledging the physical and mental demands of returning to competitive cricket after injury.
I've been through operations and it's always a bit tense playing your first few games and keeping your fingers crossed that your body holds up and you get into the game.
He recognised that the conditions in Rawalpindi presented particular challenges for the entire bowling unit.
They were incredibly hard conditions to bowl in for any bowler and he bowls a lot of pressure overs - that's his role in the team. He's been so successful with that for England over a number of years.
Rather than isolating Curran's performance as the sole problem, Jacks framed the defeat as a collective bowling failure.
There are some days where it doesn't quite work. If they're going to chase 430 then someone's going to have to get some tap, but it's more of a bowling unit problem that we lost that game.
Brook's batting masterclass sets template
While the bowling came under scrutiny, Jacks believes England discovered the correct batting approach through Brook's extraordinary innings. The right-hander became the first England batter to score an ODI double-hundred and did so at the fastest rate in the format's history.
Jacks, who was batting at the other end when Brook reached the milestone, witnessed the achievement from the best vantage point.
From when I went in, he was on 90, so to see him get to a hundred and then a double hundred - which we didn't even really think about until the last two overs - was amazing.
He spoke warmly of his long-standing relationship with Brook and the privilege of being present for such a historic moment.
He's someone I've played a lot of cricket with and to be at the other end and have the best seat was really special, I loved it.
What happens next
England are scheduled to play Pakistan in Lahore on October 25 and Sri Lanka on October 29, with the tri-series final set for October 31 in Lahore. The match against Pakistan will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 7.30am on Sunday, with first ball at 8am.
