Sri Lanka’s Spin Web Chokes England to 146/9 in Super Eights Clash

Colombo, Feb 2026 : Sri Lanka delivered a disciplined, tactically sharp bowling display to keep England to a below-par 146 for 9 in the second Super Eights match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. On a surface that offered grip without extravagant turn, the hosts’ spinners laid the foundation before the pacers executed clinically at the death.

Put in to bat, England never found the rhythm expected of their power-packed batting order. The opening exchanges suggested a cautious start, but Sri Lanka’s bold call to introduce spin inside the Powerplay quickly tilted the contest. Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage struck in the fourth over, trapping England captain Jos Buttler lbw for seven as a premeditated reverse sweep went wrong. The dismissal set the tone for a probing middle phase in which scoring opportunities dried up.

The pressure intensified immediately after. Mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana made an instant impact, dismissing Jacob Bethell with his very first delivery, forcing a miscued slog that was safely taken at backward point. England limped to 37 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay—their lowest such score in the tournament—already facing a squeeze orchestrated by Sri Lanka’s spin trio.

Opener Phil Salt attempted to counterattack and briefly steadied the innings. He struck two sixes and six boundaries in a hard-earned 62 off 40 balls, but his knock lacked the usual fluency and came amid a steady fall of wickets at the other end. The humid conditions appeared to sap energy, and timing became increasingly difficult as Sri Lanka’s bowlers mixed pace and length expertly.

Wellalage returned to deepen England’s woes, later trapping Harry Brook lbw for 14, with ball-tracking confirming the on-field decision. Alongside Theekshana and Dushan Hemantha, Wellalage ensured England were denied momentum, constantly changing angles and speeds to keep batters guessing.

Sri Lanka’s intensity was matched by their sharp fielding. Captain Dasun Shanaka produced a brilliant direct hit to run out Tom Banton, snuffing out another potential partnership. When Salt eventually fell—holing out to long-off against Wellalage—England’s hopes of a late acceleration took a significant blow.

There was a brief flicker at the end. Will Jacks found a couple of boundaries, while Jamie Overton muscled an imposing 82-metre six off Dushmantha Chameera in the final over. However, the decisive moment arrived earlier when left-armer Dilshan Madushanka struck twice in the 19th over, removing Jacks and Jofra Archer in successive deliveries to shut the door on a 150-plus total.

Chameera wrapped up the innings with precision, mixing yorkers and well-disguised slower balls to restrict England to 146 for 9—clearly below par on a pitch that rewarded patience and control rather than brute force.

Sri Lanka’s collective bowling effort stood out: Wellalage’s incisive 3 for 26 led the way, supported ably by Theekshana’s economical 2 for 21. Backed by alert fielding and astute captaincy, the hosts executed their plans with clarity and calm, leaving England with plenty to reflect on ahead of the chase.

Brief Scores: England 146/9 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 62, Will Jacks 21; Dunith Wellalage 3/26, Maheesh Theekshana 2/21) vs Sri Lanka