T20 WC: Jaques and Rashid shine as England beat Sri Lanka by 51 runs
Colombo: England produced a superb all-round performance to defeat Sri Lanka by 51 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights match. After posting a thrilling 146/9, the hosts collapsed for just 95 in 16.4 overs.
Defending a modest total on a pitch that was easy for the bowlers, England’s spinners applied relentless pressure in the middle overs, turning the contest into a one-sided affair that left Sri Lanka gasping for breath. The chase never recovered from a dramatic powerplay collapse, and the hosts were reduced to 34/5, their second-lowest powerplay score among Full Member teams this edition.
Jofra Archer set the tone early, dismissing Pathum Nissanka with a well-set trap at deep mid-wicket and then Kamil Mishara. But Will Jacks broke the back of the innings.
The off-spinner took two wickets in the fourth over, including the valuable wicket of Kusal Mendis, who he trapped caught and bowled. Dunith Wellalage then became the first England spinner to take three wickets in a T20I powerplay with impressive figures of 3/22.
With spin from both ends, Liam Dawson also chipped in. His drift and control dismissed Kamindu Mendis and later delivered a sharp caught and bowled dismissal. A strange hit-wicket dismissal of Dushan Hemantha further highlighted Sri Lanka’s crumbling under pressure.
At 53/6, the match was all but over despite a small counterattack from captain Dasun Shanaka. The right-hander smashed two sixes in his 30 off 24 balls, attempting to raise hopes with aggressive intent. However, Adil Rashid’s cleverness proved decisive. The leg-spinner dismissed Shanaka attempting a brilliant relay catch in the deep and then clean bowled the tail with his trademark wrong ‘un.
Rashid sealed the victory by bowling Dilshan Madushanka, leaving Sri Lanka bowled out for 95, their lowest score against England in the T20 World Cup.
Earlier, England also struggled to build momentum after being sent in to bat first. Phil Salt steadied the innings with 62 off 40 balls, but disciplined bowling from Wellalage (3-26) and Maheesh Theekshana (2-21) restricted them to 146/9.
However, the score was enough as England’s spinners chased down the target with precision and control, extending their dominance over Sri Lanka to their 12th consecutive T20I win. Reduced scores: England 146/9 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 62; Dunith Wellalage 3-26, Maheesh Theekshana 2-21) beat Sri Lanka 95/10 in 16.4 overs (Dasun Shanaka 30; Will Jacks 3-22, Adil Rashid 2-13, Jofra Archer 2-20) by 51 runs.
