England Clinch Dominant 51-Run Win Over Sri Lanka in Super Eights Clash

Colombo, Feb 2026 : England produced a clinical all-round performance to overpower Sri Lanka by 51 runs in their Super Eights encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, dismissing the hosts for just 95 in 16.4 overs after posting a competitive 146 for 9. What began as a tight contest on a bowler-friendly surface soon turned one-sided as England’s spinners applied a suffocating middle-overs squeeze that Sri Lanka never escaped.

Defending a modest total, England executed their plans with precision. Early movement, sharp turn, and relentless accuracy combined to devastating effect, particularly during a dramatic powerplay that saw Sri Lanka crumble to 34 for 5—their second-lowest powerplay score in the tournament among full-member nations.

The tone was set by express pacer Jofra Archer, who struck twice with the new ball. He first removed Pathum Nissanka, luring him into a mistimed pull that found the deep mid-wicket fielder, before dismissing Kamil Mishara to leave the hosts reeling. Archer’s pace and bounce exposed Sri Lanka’s uncertainty early in the chase.

However, it was off-spinner Will Jacks who truly broke the backbone of the innings. Introduced inside the powerplay, Jacks struck twice in the fourth over, including the prized scalp of Kusal Mendis, whom he dismissed caught and bowled with sharp reflexes. He then removed Dunith Wellalage, completing a remarkable powerplay spell. With figures of 3 for 22, Jacks became the first England spinner to claim three wickets inside the powerplay of a T20 international.

Spin continued to operate from both ends as Liam Dawson joined the assault. Dawson’s subtle drift and control accounted for Kamindu Mendis, and he later produced a sharp caught-and-bowled dismissal that summed up England’s alertness in the field. Sri Lanka’s confusion peaked when Dushan Hemantha was dismissed hit-wicket, a rare and telling moment that reflected the mounting pressure.

At 53 for 6, the contest was effectively settled, though captain Dasun Shanaka attempted a brief counterattack. Shanaka struck two towering sixes in a fighting 30 off 24 balls, trying to inject belief into the chase. But England’s most experienced spinner, Adil Rashid, extinguished those hopes. Rashid removed Shanaka with a stunning relay catch in the deep before dismantling the tail with his trademark wrong ’un.

Rashid fittingly sealed the victory, bowling Dilshan Madushanka through the gate to end the innings and spark celebrations. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 95—their lowest total against England in T20 World Cup history.

Earlier, England themselves had faced challenges after being sent in to bat. Opener Phil Salt anchored the innings with a determined 62 off 40 balls, combining clean hitting with smart strike rotation. However, Sri Lanka’s spinners, led by Wellalage (3 for 26) and Maheesh Theekshana (2 for 21), ensured England never fully broke free, restricting them to 146 for 9.

That total, though, proved more than sufficient. England’s spinners exploited the conditions masterfully, turning control into dominance and extending their supremacy over Sri Lanka with a 12th consecutive T20I victory in the head-to-head rivalry. The emphatic win underlined England’s depth, adaptability, and growing momentum as the tournament heads into its decisive phase.

Brief Scores: England 146/9 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 62; Dunith Wellalage 3/26, Maheesh Theekshana 2/21) beat Sri Lanka 95 all out in 16.4 overs (Dasun Shanaka 30; Will Jacks 3/22, Adil Rashid 2/13, Jofra Archer 2/20) by 51 runs.