Colombo, February 22 – England put up a clinical performance to defeat Sri Lanka by 51 runs in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights match, dismissing the hosts for just 95 runs in 16.4 overs after posting 146/9 in a closely contested game.
Defending a modest total on a bowler-friendly surface, England's spinners dominated the match, putting immense pressure on Sri Lanka. The hosts struggled to recover after a dramatic powerplay collapse, finishing at 34/5, their second-lowest powerplay score against full member sides.
Jofra Archer set the tone early, dismissing Pathum Nissanka with a well-placed trap at deep mid-wicket before removing Kamil Mishara. However, it was Will Jacks who proved to be the key player.
The off-spinner took two wickets in the fourth over, including the prized wicket of Kusal Mendis caught and bowled, and then added Dunith Wellalage to finish with outstanding figures of 3/22, becoming the first England spinner to take three wickets in the powerplay of a T20I.
With spin operating from both ends, Liam Dawson joined the attack. His control and accuracy accounted for Kamindu Mendis and later produced a sharp caught-and-bowled dismissal. A bizarre hit-wicket from Dushan Hemantha further underlined Sri Lanka's struggles under pressure.
At 53/6, the match effectively ended despite a brief counterattack from captain Dasun Shanaka. The right-hander struck two sixes in his 30 off 24 balls, attempting to revive hopes with aggressive intent. However, Adil Rashid's guile proved decisive. The leg-spinner dismissed Shanaka with a stunning relay catch effort in the deep and then cleaned up the tail with his trademark wrong'un.
Rashid sealed the win, bowling Dilshan Madushanka through the gate to trigger celebrations as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 95, their lowest total against England in T20 World Cups.
Earlier, England themselves had struggled to build momentum after being sent in. Phil Salt's 62 off 40 balls anchored the innings, but disciplined spells from Wellalage (3-26) and Maheesh Theekshana (2-21) restricted them to 146/9.
That total proved more than enough as England's spinners suffocated the chase with precision and control, extending their dominance over Sri Lanka with a 12th consecutive T20I victory in the head-to-head rivalry.
Brief scores: England 146/9 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 62; Dunith Wellalage 3-26, Maheesh Theekshana 2-21) beat Sri Lanka 95/10 in 16.4 overs (Dasun Shanaka 30; Will Jacks 3-22, Adil Rashid 2-13, Jofra Archer 2-20) by 51 runs.
