England posted 146 runs for Sri Lanka in their Super 8 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to field in the crucial encounter at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Sunday.
Sri Lankan bowlers kept the English batting line-up under pressure from the outset. Opener Jos Buttler was dismissed for seven runs in the fourth over.
Jacob Bethell (3), Tom Banton (6), captain Harry Brook (14), and Sam Curran (11) also failed to convert their starts and returned to the pavilion cheaply.
Opening batter Phil Salt anchored the innings with an aggressive knock of 62 off 40 balls, significantly boosting England’s total.
For Sri Lanka, Dunith Wellalage claimed three wickets, while Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka took two apiece. Dushmantha Chameera chipped in with one wicket.
Sri Lanka are currently chasing the 146-run target.
It is worth noting that Sri Lanka and England are placed in Group Two alongside Pakistan and New Zealand. Pakistan’s match against New Zealand on Saturday was abandoned due to rain.
At the conclusion of the Super 8 stage, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled for 4 and 5 March, after which the tournament will enter its decisive phase.
