Kandy: England beat Sri Lanka by 51 runs in a low-scoring Super Eight match at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here on Sunday at the Pallekale International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing 147 runs, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 95 runs in 16.4 overs by England’s superb bowling.
The hosts got off to a poor start as Jofra Archer struck early for England, dismissing set batsman Bathum Nissanga with two fours off nine balls.
In the fourth over, Sri Lanka felt the pressure as Will Jacks dismissed two batsmen, Kusal Mendis fell for a boundary off one ball, while Pawan Ratnayake lost his wicket for a first-ball duck as the team trailed 20-3 in 3.4 overs.
Archer was dismissed in his third over to dismiss Sri Lanka’s fourth batsman, Kamil Mishara, who was the next victim after hitting six off 11 balls, including a boundary.
Jacks was at his best with the ball, dismissing Dunith Vellalake, Sri Lanka’s fifth wicket, who scored 10 runs off one ball with the help of two fours, reducing the team to 34-5 in 5.5 overs.
Kamindu Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka came to bat and started piling up the runs and the team’s total crossed 50 runs.
However, the partnership ended after Liam Dawson scored 13 runs off 11 balls with a four and a six, knocking Kamindu out.
Sri Lanka were in all sorts of trouble as Jamie Overton dismissed Dushan Hemantha cheaply for 5 off 8 balls as they were reduced to 69-7 in 12 overs.
Sri Lanka’s hopes were dashed before Adil Rashid dismissed captain Dasun Shanaka, who had scored 30 off 24 balls with the help of a four and two sixes.
Liam Dawson was dismissed as ninth batsman Dushmanda Sameera for 6, while Adil Rashid ended Sri Lanka’s innings by ducking Dilshan Madushanga.
Batting first, England lost wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler early after Dunith Vellalake scored 7 runs off 14 balls.
England felt the early pressure as they lost their second wicket before the powerplay, with Jacob Bethel dismissed off four balls by Mahesh Dikshana at 32-2 in 5.1 overs.
Tom Panton was out next and skipper Dasun Shanaka was run out for 6 off 7 balls, adding to England’s early struggles.
Phil Salt found form and along with skipper Harry Brooke piled on the runs, taking the total past 50.
However, the Three Lions were four down when Brook Wellalage became his second victim, 14 off seven balls, including a boundary, leaving the team at 68-4 from 10 overs.
Salt continued the scoring from one end, joined by Sam Curran, who added runs to the partnership as Salt reached his eighth T20I half-century.
The stand ended when Curran was dismissed for 11 runs, including a six off 11 balls by Dushmantha Sameer.
Six wickets fell for 106 runs when Vellalaghe removed Bill Salt, who hit 62 off 40 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes.
Deekshana dismissed Liam Dawson for six off 11 balls as England posted 124-7 in 17.1 overs.
Will Jacks came to the crease and started adding crucial runs, but his innings ended when Dilshan Madhushanka dismissed him for 21 off 14 balls, including 4 fours. In the same over, Jofra ducked Archer off the first ball and Madhushanka struck again.
England ended their innings with Rashid not out off a ball, while Jamie Overton scored 10 runs, including a six.
Dunith Vellalake was Sri Lanka’s top bowler with figures of 3/26 from four overs. In bowling, Dilshan Madushanga and Mahesh Dikshana took two wickets each and Dushmantha Sameera took one wicket.