Sri Lanka claimed a 16-run victory over England in the second One Day International (ODI) at Headingley, leveling the three-match series and setting up a decisive final match at The Oval on Sunday. In a high-scoring game, Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis played a crucial innings, scoring 121 runs and helping his team post 321-6. England, needing 322 to win, faced early challenges when Jos Buttler, their wicketkeeper, retired hurt on 67 after adjusting a hamstring injury. England struggled to maintain their momentum in the chase. After a strong start with 143 runs from the opening partnership between Ben Duckett and Tom Banton, both were dismissed by Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage, who took three wickets in his spell. The Sri Lankan seamers also used reverse swing, a technique where the ball swings in the opposite direction to the conventional swing, to make life difficult for England's lower order. Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, and Jamie Overton fell at crucial moments, leaving England needing 68 runs from 75 balls. With 27 runs needed from 14 balls, Buttler returned to the crease but found it difficult to settle at the non-striker's end. Will Jacks, on 52, was dismissed, leaving England needing 19 runs from the final over. Buttler hit the last ball to deep mid-wicket, and England eventually closed at 306-9. Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling and Mendis’s innings proved decisive in securing the win. The series will conclude on Sunday with the third and final ODI at The Oval.