T20 World Cup 2026: England defeat Sri Lanka by 51 runs in Super 8s
England’s players celebrate their win in the T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, on February 22, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP
Sri Lanka suffered an inexplicable batting collapse to lose to England by 51 runs in their opening Super Eights Group 2 clash of the T20 World Cup, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 147, Sri Lanka were reduced to 34 for five inside the powerplay after Will Jacks (3/22) struck twice in two balls and Jofra Archer (2/20) unsettled the top order.
Pathum Nissanka (9), Kamil Mishara (6), Kusal Mendis (4) and Pavan Rathnayake (0) all fell for single-digit scores as nothing went right for Sri Lanka to be bundled out for 95 in 16.4 overs.
Earlier, a disciplined Sri Lanka restricted England to 146/9 after opting to bowl. Opener Phil Salt top-scored for England with a brisk 62 off 40 balls.
Sri Lanka were clinical with the ball, with left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage (3/26), the tidy Maheesh Theekshana (2/21) and Dilshan Madushanka (2/25) leading the charge.
Brief Scores: England: 146/9; 20 overs (Phil Salt 62; Dunith Wellalage 3/26; Maheesh Theekshana 2/21, Dilshan Madushanka 2/25).
Sri Lanka: 95 all out in 16.4 overs (Will Jacks 3/22; Liam Dawson 2/27, Jofra Archer 2/20, Adil Rashid 2/13).
Teams
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, D Hemantha Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana and D Madushanka.
England: Harry Brook (C), Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid.
Published – February 22, 2026 03:04 pm IST
