Brief Scores: England (146 for 9 in 20 overs) beat Sri Lanka (95 all out in 16.4 overs) by 51 runs in a Super 8 Group 2 match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Pallekele. | SL vs ENG Full Scorecard – Highlights |
Sri Lanka did everything right in the first half of their T20 World Cup Super 8 match against England in Pallekele on Saturday. The only problem was that they only scored in the first half. Well begun is half done—but only half done.
After restricting England to 146 in their 20 overs, Sri Lanka’s batting order collapsed, falling short of the target by 51 runs and handing celebrant and opposition captain Harry Brooke a lovely gift: two crucial points at the Super 8 stage.
Sri Lanka scored 95 in just 16.4 overs as England’s spinners, led by part-timer Will Jacks, ran riot, claiming seven wickets in an excellent, sub-par defence.
It was also England’s 12th win over Sri Lanka in men’s T20Is – a streak that stretches back to 2014.
The pitch at Pallekele Stadium was a carousel’s friend. Sri Lanka played 12 overs, took five wickets and gave away 85 runs. But England got the better of Sri Lanka in their own battle, with Jacks leading the proceedings with spin. The part-timer, who has been having a dream run in the tournament, bowled all four of his overs and picked three wickets to sail through Sri Lanka’s top order.
It was a crucial win for England, who will face tougher tests against New Zealand and Pakistan in the rest of the Super 8 stage in Group 2, which will be played on spin-friendly pitches in Sri Lanka.
HOW SRI LANKA FAILED WITH NEPAL
Jofra Archer picked two wickets in the over to shake up Sri Lanka’s chase (AP Photo)
Chasing 147, Sri Lanka needed a solid start. Would you bet against Pathum Nissanko after his set winner against Australia at the same venue last week? The crowd was waiting for another big one from their young batting star. However, the young opener, who started with two boundaries, managed just nine runs off eight deliveries.
Sri Lanka’s chase was rocked first by Jofra Archer in the third over. It looked like a steady start, but panic soon set in.
They slumped from 15 for no loss to 34 for five before the end of the over, with Will Jacks and Archer sharing all five wickets between them.
Jacks, operating with his part-time off-spin, removed Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake in the same over, while opener Kamil Mishara was sent packing by Archer.
Jacks effectively finished the damage on the powerplay. In truth, it was less of a demolition job and more of a self-inflicted damage as the Sri Lankan batsmen repeatedly found ways to throw away their wickets. Dunith Wellalage, who showed brief resistance with back-to-back boundaries in the final over, departed for 10 to hand Jacks his third wicket.
Kamindu Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka tried to pull Sri Lanka out of the mire, but left-arm spinner Liam Dawson got in on the act, dismissing the left-hander with a reverse catch – another fine dismissal.
Dushan Hemantha fell next, dislodging his own stumps as he tried to avoid a sharp bouncer from Jamie Overton.
Sri Lanka’s hopes effectively ended when Shanaka, waging a lone battle, was dismissed for 30 in the 15th over. Adil Rashid then entered the fray, claiming a crucial wicket before adding another as Sri Lanka made 95 in 16.4 overs.
None of the Sri Lankan partnerships crossed the 20-run mark, leaving the fans and the hall led by coach Sanath Jayasuriya in shock.
Defeat by 51 runs will sting. Sri Lanka were in a position of strength at the halfway point, only for one of their poorest batting to derail their Super 8 campaign.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
February 22, 2026
