Liam Dawson says England squad ‘gutted’ after ODI tri-series defeats to Sri Lanka and Pakistan

Liam Dawson said on 26 October 2026 that the England cricket squad were "gutted" after defeats to Sri Lanka and, last weekend, Pakistan in the ODI tri-series in Pakistan. "That changing room is gutted, we’re desperate to win," the team’s frontline spinner said.

The losses have left England's hopes of reaching the tri-series final under severe pressure, but Dawson, 36, suggested the setbacks could provide useful experience ahead of the World Cup in 12 months' time in southern Africa. "If you look at the last two games, we’ve been in positions where we should have won, so that is a massive positive as a group. To lose those two games from a position we’re in is frustrating because we should have won those games. If in a year’s time we do get to those situations again and bank on our previous experiences then we’ll look back at this tri-series as a huge positive," he added.

The decision to select Dawson over Adil Rashid has attracted attention: Rashid has been a regular in England's white-ball squads for more than a decade and needs 26 more dismissals to become England's all-time leading one-day wicket-taker. Rashid missed September’s series win over Sri Lanka through injury and has been overlooked for England’s last two tri-series defeats to Sri Lanka and Pakistan despite being fit and available.

Selectors defended the choice on basis of conditions, with Dawson's skiddy slow left-armers said to suit Rawalpindi and Lahore and Rashid reportedly expensive in his only tournament outing against Pakistan last week. Former England captain Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports last week that Rashid’s recent performances had "dropped off", a view Dawson rejected while praising Rashid’s record: "I don’t think I can be compared to Adil, he’s a phenomenal bowler. You don’t play 165 ODIs and become a bad bowler. I don’t think you can compare us at all because we’re so different in our roles in the team. He’s a fantastic bowler, he’s been exceptional for England and I think he still will be."

England's bowling vulnerabilities were exposed in the narrow Lahore defeat, when Pakistan recovered from 154 for nine chasing 242 as Shadab Khan and No 11 Haris Rauf put on an unbroken 89 to seal the win. That stand set a new record for the highest 10th-wicket partnership in a successful chase, coming three days after England's bowlers had been unable to defend 429 against Sri Lanka.

Dawson described his own recent England resurgence after years on the fringes, saying he has established himself in the T20 side under Harry Brook and become "increasingly involved in the ODI set-up." He reflected on his career revival: "Up until a year or so ago, I said to numerous people I didn’t think I’d play for England again. I’ve really enjoyed the time I’ve had so far. You’re desperate to do well, but each time I get to play for England is a really special thing. I didn’t think it would happen at the age that I got to so to play the amount I have in the last year and contribute has been really pleasing and hopefully that can continue."

Dawson, who retired from first-class cricket earlier this year, dismissed the idea of reversing that decision if approached by new Test head coach Stephen Fleming, replying: "No, those days are gone."

To reach the tri-series final, England now need Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday before thrashing Sri Lanka on Thursday.