Pallekele witnessed England’s mastery over Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup 2026, as the Three Lions secured a resounding 51-run victory. The match, played under lights, saw England not just win but rewrite record books in multiple categories.
Batting first, England reached 146 in 20 overs, powered by Phil Salt’s explosive 62 from 40 balls, adorned with six boundaries and two maximums. Will Jacks’ brisk 21 off 14 balls added the finishing touches to a defendable total.
Sri Lanka’s chase imploded against England’s spin wizardry. The hosts were bowled out for a paltry 95, with Dasun Shanaka’s 30 the highest score and Kaminidu Mendis contributing 13. Spinners grabbed seven wickets – the most ever in a T20 World Cup innings – led by Will Jacks’ 3/22. Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid each picked up two scalps.
This triumph is England’s second-biggest win by runs in T20 World Cup history. It also extends their dominance over Sri Lanka to 12 straight T20I wins. England successfully defended their fourth-smallest T20I target ever, while for Sri Lanka, it was the second-smallest defended target they’ve faced in the tournament and their third-lowest score.
Topping Super 8 Group 2 now, England prepares for a high-stakes encounter with Pakistan on February 24. Fans are buzzing about the team’s blend of aggressive batting and cunning spin, positioning them as serious contenders.