HIGHLIGHTS Sri Lanka vs England, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, Super 8 - 2 T20- Result, Scorecard

Welcome back for the run chase. The English players are out in the middle. The in-form Pathum Nissanka will open with Kamil Mishara for Sri Lanka. Jofra Archer to bowl first. Let's play...

... THE CHASE ...

Can England upset the home fans? The pressure shifts squarely onto the English bowlers, who must now find a way to defend a sub-par total against a confident Lankan batting lineup led by Pathum Nissanka and backed by a raucous home crowd. While the momentum currently favours the hosts, England’s path to a comeback lies in exploiting Sri Lanka’s recent fragility following their unexpected loss to Zimbabwe. The English bowlers will hope to strike early and pick the prized wicket of Pathum Nissanka to create some pressure. Stay tuned as the chase is just around the corner.

England finish under-par - Dasun Shanaka expertly rotated his bowlers to exploit a dry surface that offered plenty of assistance, keeping the English batters in a constant state of uncertainty. As the hosts applied relentless pressure, England’s lineup struggled to handle both the sweltering heat and the regular fall of wickets, preventing any significant partnerships from forming.  The lone resistance came from Phil Salt, who channelled his inner strength to notch a gritty half-century, single-handedly keeping the scoreboard ticking while his teammates faltered.

Advantage, Sri Lanka!  Dasun Shanaka’s decision to bowl first proves to be a masterstroke as the Sri Lankan bowlers deliver a disciplined performance to stifle a formidable England lineup.  While England’s heavy-hitters were expected to light up Pallekele, the host nation’s clinical execution kept the scoring in check, leaving the visitors with a total far lower than they would have envisioned. Sri Lanka will undoubtedly head into the break as the happier side, having secured exactly the kind of target they hoped for at the toss.

Dushmantha Chameera to Jamie Overton, Oh, that was there to be hit. Dushmantha Chameera misses the yorker this time and ends up serving a full toss. The ball does tail back in and Jamie Overton misses the swing. He gets hit on the inside part of the thigh and the batters manage to pick up a leg bye. Overton seems to be in a bit of pain as well. England finish with 146/9 on the board.

Dushmantha Chameera to Adil Rashid, A yorker on off, tails back in. Adil Rashid squeezes it in front of point for a single. Perfectly executed yorker from Chameera.

Dushmantha Chameera to Jamie Overton, Just trying to slow things down a fraction, clever from Dasun Shanaka. Chameera goes for the yorker at the toes and nails it as well. Jamie Overton fails to get the front leg out of the way and gets rapped on the pads. The ball rolls past the strip, and the batters pick up a leg bye. It is reviewed for a LBW decision, but the on-field decision of Not Out remains.

Sri Lanka review an LBW decision. The slow motion suggests it is clearly going down the leg side. The Ball Tracking shows that the impact is outside the leg stump.

Dushmantha Chameera to Jamie Overton, SIX! That's well struck. A leg cutter from Chameera but it is bowled in the slot and Jamie Overton extends those arms before swatting it straight back down the ground for a biggie. Ordinary cricket keeps costing Sri Lanka in this final over.

Dushmantha Chameera to Jamie Overton, Ordinary cricket from Sri Lanka! Full and at pace, on middle. Overton clears the front leg and smacks it down the ground. Hits it down to long on, where Kamil Mishara collects it on the bounce. He holds onto the ball, and Overton spots that. He calls Rashid through for the second run, and seeing that, Kamil gets rid of the ball, but his throw is well wide of the keeper and Jamie gets home with ease.

Dushmantha Chameera to Jamie Overton, Not far away from hitting the off stump! Leg-cutter from around the wicket, on a good length, across off. Overton walks across the stumps and waits to play the scoop, but is beaten on the inside edge. The ball sneaks past the off pole and dribbles behind towards the keeper.

Oops! England are struggling to touch the 140 mark now. Adil Rashid is the last man in.

Dilshan Madushanka to Jofra Archer, OUT! TAKEN! Another full toss but once again, an English batter finds the fielder. Dilshan Madushanka goes full and wide but ends up serving another full toss. Jofra Archer looks to smack it away but miscues it wide of mid off. Dushan Hemantha scampers to his left and pouches it brilliantly with a dive.

Will Jacks goes. England would have loved him to stay out there till the last ball. Jofra Archer comes to the middle with England looking at least to not waste any ball in their inning.

Dilshan Madushanka to Will Jacks, OUT! CAUGHT! Dilshan Madushanka does have the last laugh here. Madushanka misses the wide yorker by an even bigger margin and ends up bowling a low full toss. Will Jacks jumps down the track this time and throws his hands at it. However, his body seems to be falling over and he ends up slicing it towards deep point. Dunith Wellalage makes no error in the deep and England might struggle to get over 150 now.

Dilshan Madushanka to Will Jacks, FOUR! No one on the fence at deep extra cover and Jacks gets another boundary in that region. Full and wide outside off again, not far away from being another perfect yorker but an inch or two makes a big difference. Jacks hangs back and hammers it wide of deep cover for a boundary.

Dilshan Madushanka to Will Jacks, That's brilliant from Dilshan. Right in the blockhole, wide outside off but not wide enough to go beyond the tramline. Jacks looks to squeeze it away but fails to do so.

Dilshan Madushanka to Will Jacks, FOUR! Will Jacks gets one away, and boy did England need that. Full and wide outside off, Jacks stays deep in the crease and drills the cover drive to the left of the fielder inside the ring and it races away to the fence.

Dilshan Madushanka to Jamie Overton, A yorker on the fifth stump line, Overton gets across to cover the line and plays it with a straight bat through mid off for one.

Maheesh Theekshana to Will Jacks, Even Jacks can't get it away under this sort of pressure. Theekshana drags the length back and slows it right up, pushing it wide of the off stump. Jacks hangs back to pull but is through his shot way too early. A couple of runs and a wicket off the 18th over.

Maheesh Theekshana to Jamie Overton, Finally, a single. Nagging length around off, clipped away down to long on for one by Overton.

Maheesh Theekshana to Jamie Overton, The dots just keep mounting and Jacks is kept off the strike. Dragged length angled into the batter, Jamie Overton looks to stay put and pull but plays all over it and wears it on the thigh pad.

Maheesh Theekshana to Jamie Overton, Good length outside off, straightens down the line, Overton hops back and plays it back to the bowler.

Maheesh Theekshana to Jamie Overton, WIDE. Another flicker, bowled fast and wide outside off. Overton slashes but misses.

Maheesh Theekshana to Jamie Overton, A bit fuller now, outside off. Jamie Overton gets across to cover the line and blocks it off.

Jamie Overton is the next batter in, replacing Liam Dawson.

Maheesh Theekshana to Liam Dawson, OUT! CAUGHT! Liam Dawson was going nowhere with that charge down the pitch. Dawson premeditates and comes down the pitch, allowing Maheesh Theekshana to pull his length back. This is the flicker bowled from the front of the hand and it goes away after pitching. Dawson has a hoick across the line but slices it up over covers, where Dasun Shanaka takes a few steps back to his left and pouches it comfortably.

Maheesh Theekshana has one more over left, while Madushanka and Chameera have one each. It's the spinner who will bowl out.

Dushmantha Chameera to Liam Dawson, Very full and lands it just inside the tramline outside off. Dawson reaches out and taps it towards cover for one. 10 off the over.

Dushmantha Chameera to Liam Dawson, Slower one, on a good length and outside off. Dawson shuffles across and controls the pull through the square leg region, picking up a couple of handy runs.

Dushmantha Chameera to Will Jacks, A low full toss on middle, Jacks mistimes it down to long on and picks up a single. The mid off fielder has now gone back and the man at deep extra cover is inside the ring.

Dushmantha Chameera to Will Jacks, WIDE. Full and wide outside off, flirting with the tramline. Jacks leaves it alone and gets the call in his favour.

Dushmantha Chameera to Will Jacks, FOUR! That's the issue with this plan, things become predictable. Length ball slanted across off, Will Jacks sets himself deep in the crease and flat-bats it wide of mid off for a boundary.

Dushmantha Chameera to Liam Dawson, Misses his mark this time, but gets away with it, does Chameera. A wide full toss, angling away, Dawson hangs back and smears it away to the left of deep point for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera to Liam Dawson, That's perfection from Chameera. He comes around the wicket and slams in the full ball, angling it wide outside off. Liam Dawson gives the charge but yorks himself and fails to lay a bat on it.

Dushmantha Chameera (2-0-15-1) replaces Dunith Wellalage.

Maheesh Theekshana to Will Jacks, FOUR! Powered away! Fired in by Theekshana, a bit too full, outside off. Jacks shuffles across the stumps and gets under the ball. Slams it up and over extra cover. One bounce and over the ropes. A boundary off the last ball turns it into a decent over for England, 8 runs off it.

Maheesh Theekshana to Liam Dawson, Angled into the right-hander, Liam plays it off the back foot towards the vacant wide mid on region. He calls for two but the long on fielder swoops in and keeps it down to a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Will Jacks, Short and around off, Will smacks it off the back foot to deep cover and turns the strike over.

Maheesh Theekshana to Will Jacks, Quicker through the air, bowled with a flatter trajectory, on off. Jacks punches it down the wicket. Maheesh Theekshana gets around to his right to prevent the single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Liam Dawson, Spinning back in, short and on middle. Dawson makes room, gets on top of the bounce and punches it to deep cover. They cross.

Maheesh Theekshana to Will Jacks, Short and on off, Jacks stays back and works it to the left of cover for a run.

Dunith Wellalage to Liam Dawson, Four dots in a row to close out the over! Shorter and quicker, on off, fast hands from Liam as he cuts it well but picks out the man at backward point.

Dunith Wellalage to Liam Dawson, Keeps it slow in line with the off stump, on a nagging length. Liam punches it firmly to cover.

Dunith Wellalage to Liam Dawson, Hangs it up there, fuller and on middle. Dawson presses forward and defends.

Dunith Wellalage to Liam Dawson, Short and at the sticks, Dawson pats it back to the bowler.

The set batter now departs and the little momentum that England gathered in the previous over is lost. With that said, Liam Dawson walks out to bat next.

Dunith Wellalage to Phil Salt, OUT! TAKEN! A tired shot from Phil Salt, and this is a real soft dismissal. Dunith Wellalage drags the length back and this is slower through the air, outside off. Salt hangs back in the crease and is nowhere near the pitch of the ball but he still swings through the line to go over long off. Hits it straight down the throat of long off, where Dushan Hemantha makes no mistake. Third wicket for Dunith. End of a fighting knock from Salt. The 100 is up for England.

Dunith Wellalage to Will Jacks, Floated up, full and on off, Will pushes it down the strip. Dunith Wellalage dives to his left but the ball evades him and it rolls down to long off for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera to Phil Salt, SIX! Well, how did Salt manage to get that away? Dushmantha Chameera serves a sharp and quick delivery, the line is slightly too straight. Under the left armpit. Salt hops and gets his hands high. Helps it away with the pace over long leg for a six. 11 runs and the wicket of Curran from the over. The 100 is up for England.

Dushmantha Chameera to Phil Salt, MISFIELD, FOUR! Sloppy from Kamindu Mendis. Leg-cutter, on a back of a length, outside off. Salt stays leg side of the ball, waits for the ball to arrive and punches it wide of deep cover. Mendis sprints to his right but fails to get low enough. The ball goes under his hands and then through his legs before trickling into the fence.

Dushmantha Chameera to Will Jacks, On a good length, in line with the leg stump, Will moves away from the stumps towards the leg side and punches it to deep point for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera to Will Jacks, Excellent execution! Gets the yorker spot on, right at the base of the middle stump. Jacks hurriedly gets his bat down and digs it out to cover.

DRINKS! With 40 legal deliveries remaining in this innings, England have just lost their 5th wicket and are pegged back once again. Phil Salt is still out there but the afternoon heat seems to be taking its toll on him. Will Jacks will probably come in next and he will be crucial as he has been so far for England in the death overs. However, Sri Lanka will be looking for one more wicket and get a firm grasp on this innings. Anything under 150-160 would be near impossible to defend, so we might see England just keep going hard. And indeed, Will Jacks walks in at number 7, replacing Sam Curran.

Dushmantha Chameera to Sam Curran, OUT! CAUGHT! Sam Curran holes out. Immediate impact from Dushmantha Chameera on his return to the attack. The pace off delivery works for Chameera. He serves the leg-cutter, fuller and on off. Curran puts his head down and swings through the line to go back over the bowler's head. The bat turns in his hands and he does not get any power on the shot. Gets it only as far as long on, where Kamil Mishara takes a couple of steps back and gobbles it up in front of the boundary cushions. The 26-run stand has been broken.

Dushmantha Chameera to Sam Curran, Beats the bat straight away! Pushed across the left-hander, on a good length. Curran reaches out and has a big swing at it. The ball does not rise as much as Sam expected it to. It sneaks under the flailing blade.

Dushmantha Chameera is back on. He's bowled just one over for 4 runs thus far.

Dushan Hemantha to Phil Salt, Fractionally short, outside off, Salt extends his hands, stands tall and punches it to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs. A good over for England, 11 runs off it.

Dushan Hemantha to Sam Curran, Slightly quicker, Sam knocks this full ball to long off and crosses over.

Dushan Hemantha to Sam Curran, SIX! Into the stands! Dushan Hemantha offers flight, full and on middle. Sam gets the ball in his arc. He gets down on a knee and nails the slog sweep way over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. Only the second six of the innings.

Dushan Hemantha to Phil Salt, FIFTY FOR SALT! His first half-century of this World Cup and it has come at a time when his side desperately needed it. The humidity has tested him, and the conditions have not been easy, but he has dug deep. Full and on the pads, Salt nurdles it behind square leg and takes a single to reach his milestone.

Dushan Hemantha to Sam Curran, Gives the ball air again, full and pitching outside the line of the leg stump. Sam pushes it to long on for a single.

Dushan Hemantha to Sam Curran, Looped up, full and on middle. Curran lunges and blocks it off.

Maheesh Theekshana to Sam Curran, A quick, tidy over from Maheesh Theekshana. Fuller-length delivery, around off, SC hits it down to long off for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Phil Salt, Uppish but well in the gap! Touch fuller and around off, Phil Salt is pegged back as he chips it down to long off for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Sam Curran, Angling in from wide of the crease, this is on middle, Curran nudges it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Maheesh Theekshana to Sam Curran, From around the wicket to the left-hander. Tosses it up, fuller and around off, Sam plays it back to the bowler.

Maheesh Theekshana to Phil Salt, Bowls it on a good length and wide of off. Phil Salt strokes it through covers for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Phil Salt, A half-tracker, angled down. Phil Salt clears his front leg and swipes it to deep backward square leg. Pathum Nissanka runs across to his right and loses his boot in the process as he slides across but does well to keep it down to two.

Dasun Shanaka continues to ring in the changes. He brings back Maheesh Theekshana. The wicket of Jacob Bethell and just 5 runs from his opening over.

Dushan Hemantha to Phil Salt, 9 runs off the over. Fuller delivery, around off, driven to long off and Salt retains the strike. Phil is down on his haunches after completing the run. He is struggling on a humid afternoon.

Dushan Hemantha to Phil Salt, Now, they do get a brace! Drops it full and on middle and leg, angling in. Phil Salt whips it to deep mid-wicket. The fielder rushes in from the deep and throws but the batters take the second with ease.

Dushan Hemantha to Sam Curran, Looped up, on a length and on middle, Sam Curran looks for two as he clips it to deep mid-wicket but settles with a run.

Dushan Hemantha to Sam Curran, Dushan Hemantha keeps it close to the off pole, tosses it up. Sam Curran pats it in front of point.

Dushan Hemantha to Phil Salt, Fires it full and attacks the sticks. Phil Salt sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Dushan Hemantha to Phil Salt, FOUR! Salt is playing on a completely different deck. Pitches it up, just outside off. Phil Salt frees his arms and launches it wide of long off to his left for a boundary.

England slide into further trouble. The bowling change works wonders for Sri Lanka. Sam Curran comes in at number 6.

Dunith Wellalage to Harry Brook, OUT! LBW! Huge appeal for LBW and up goes the finger. Harry Brook has sent it upstairs, though. Clear gap between bat and ball. Ball Tracking shows it is the umpire's call with the ball clipping the leg stump. Harry has a wry smile as he makes the long walk. Onto the delivery - Dunith nicely tosses it up, on a fuller length and on middle, Harry Brook bends forward to defend but misses the arm ball and wears it on the front pad, past his inside edge. The only chance for Brook to survive was if the ball was going down on the angle. His stay is cut short. No fireworks by the birthday boy.

Dunith Wellalage to Harry Brook, Excellent running once again! Sees Harry Brook coming down the track and Dunith Wellalage attacks the sticks. Brook whips it to square leg, just wide of the fielder and comes back for the second.

Dunith Wellalage to Harry Brook, FOUR! A welcome boundary! Slower in the air, touch flatter and on middle, Harry Brook dances down the track and launches it towards the long on fence for a boundary.

Dunith Wellalage to Phil Salt, A bit too full and drifting on middle. Phil Salt backs away and knocks it to long off for a run.

Dunith Wellalage to Phil Salt, Dunith Wellalage keeps it pace off, tosses it up on middle and leg. Phil Salt taps it back to the bowler.

Dunith Wellalage to Phil Salt, Full, slow and angling on leg. Phil Salt clips it with soft hands to mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Dushan Hemantha to Phil Salt, 10 runs off the over. Slightly short and outside off. Phil Salt deliberately cuts it late to backward point. The fielder dives to his left and keeps it down to one. Excellent stop.

Dushan Hemantha to Harry Brook, Floated up, full and on off, Brook whips it to long on for a single.

Dushan Hemantha to Harry Brook, SIX RUNS! Overthrows! It's all happening in the middle. Floats it fuller and on off, Harry Brook skips down and drives it down to long off. A suicidal second run is attempted, but Salt gets away with it. He hurries and dives at his end. The throw is a bit too full and lands beside the stumps. Dushan Hemantha cannot gather it, and Dushmantha Chameera at short fine leg does not get in the position to back the throw up. Pathum Nissanka cannot get around either, and the ball races towards the fence.

Dushan Hemantha to Harry Brook, Oh, is that a bump ball? A few of the Sri Lankan players are celebrating. It is a bump ball. Clearly off the deck. Flights it very full and outside off. Harry Brook looks to reverse sweep but edges it onto the deck and to first slip. Pathum Nissanka anticipates early and moves to his right. Sticks out his right hand and takes a sharp catch.

Dushan Hemantha to Phil Salt, A low full toss, slower in the air and on leg. Phil Salt eases it to long on for one more.

Dushan Hemantha to Harry Brook, Tossed up, fuller and on middle, Harry Brook drills it to long on for a single. The birthday boy is off the mark.

Dushmantha Chameera to Phil Salt, Oh, my word! That's sharp from Dushmantha Chameera, very sharp. A snorter of a short ball, bowled at 145 kph and hammered in on a short length around off. Phil Salt looks to take it on but the ball flies through. The keeper does well to leap up and grab it as well. England still going at just over a-run-a-ball here.

The English skipper, Harry Brook, makes his way out to the centre. The birthday boy has his work cut out.

Dushmantha Chameera to Tom Banton, OUT! TOM BANTON IS RUN OUT! Not at all what England needed right now, but Banton has to walk back here. Dushmantha Chameera bowls it full and nails it at the base of the off stump. Banton jams it into the turf and towards mid off and the batters set off for the single. Dasun Shanaka attacks the ball well and gets a favourable bounce. He has three stumps to aim at and hits the bullseye at the bowler's end. Banton puts in the dive but fails to make his ground, and it is another slim outing for him.

Direct hit! Sri Lanka are celebrating. Tom Banton also knows that he is a goner. Yep, he is short despite the desperate dive, confirmed by the replays.

Dushmantha Chameera to Phil Salt, A bit more energy put in that delivery by Chameera. Bowled at 142.5 kph and fired full into the pads, Phil Salt gets the front leg out of the way again and flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Dushmantha Chameera to Tom Banton, Slower one, just back of a length and on off. Banton plays it on the up and pushes it through the cover region for one more.

Dushmantha Chameera to Phil Salt, Full-pitched delivery, darted into the pads, Salt takes the front leg out and heaves it wide of long on for another single.

Dushmantha Chameera to Tom Banton, Chameera hones in on a good length and slants the ball into middle and leg. Tom Banton plays with a straight bat and pushes it to the left of mid on for a single.

Time for pace as Dushmantha Chameera replaces Maheesh Theekshana.

Dushan Hemantha to Tom Banton, A leg-break that turns, bowled on the fourth stump line. Banton eases it with the spin and through covers for one more.

Dushan Hemantha to Phil Salt, Nice and full, outside off, stroked away on the up and down to long off for one.

Dushan Hemantha to Phil Salt, FOUR! A gift from Dushan Hemantha and this time, Phil Salt doesn't let it go unpunished. Tossed up, but it is a juicy full toss on middle, Salt sits down and sweeps it hard between square leg and backward square leg for a boundary.

Dushan Hemantha to Tom Banton, Very full and pitching outside the line of leg stump, Banton taps it across through wide mid on and turns the strike over.

Dushan Hemantha to Phil Salt, Flatter delivery angled into the pads, Salt hangs back and works it through mid-wicket for a run.

Dushan Hemantha to Phil Salt, Tossed up, on a nagging length and around off, Salt is late on the shot and jams it out to short extra cover.

Spin from both ends. Dushan Hemantha to share the attack.

Maheesh Theekshana to Phil Salt, Just a single to end the Powerplay, England are 37/2 after 6 overs. Short over middle, turning back in, Phil Salt rocks back and pulls it firmly but straight to deep square leg.

Maheesh Theekshana to Tom Banton, One more as Tom Banton clips this low full toss through wide mid on. Just one ball left in the Powerplay and England are going nowhere right now.

Maheesh Theekshana to Phil Salt, Slows it up a touch, does Theekshana and bowls it on a good length. Salt eases it wide of cover and picks up a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Phil Salt, WIDE. Quicker one, darted well down the leg side. Salt looks to slog it behind square leg but misses out.

Maheesh Theekshana to Phil Salt, Shorter this time, angled back in from outside off, Salt makes a bit of room and smacks it down to mid off.

Maheesh Theekshana to Tom Banton, Flatter one, darted into middle, Banton rocks back and pushes it out to mid on for a single.

DRINKS! England in all sorts of trouble as they lose the second wicket inside the Powerplay. Sri Lanka have been right on the money from the word go. Bowling Maheesh Theekshana, after Dunith Wellalage has already given them a couple of rewards, with Dilshan Madushanka putting all kinds of pressure from the other end. England need a big stand and will hope these two - Tom Banton and Phil Salt will do the job.

Maheesh Theekshana to Jacob Bethell, OUT! CAUGHT! Has Dilshan Madushanka managed to cling on? Indeed, he has and Maheesh Theekshana strikes on his very first delivery. Theekshana starts around the wicket and drifts the ball full and into the left-hander. Jacob Bethell sits down to slog sweep but miscues it badly. The ball goes off the outside edge and lobs to the right of short third. Madushanka puts in a horizontal dive and pouches it with both hands. The ball nearly bobbles out when the elbows hit the turf but Madushanka clings onto it with his right hand.

Bowling change. Maheesh Theekshana replaces Dunith Wellalage.

Dilshan Madushanka to Phil Salt, FOUR! That's well-struck by Salt. Too full and outside off, Phil Salt keeps the bat face open and carves it along the turf between point and covers for another boundary.

Dilshan Madushanka to Phil Salt, EDGED AND FOUR! Madushanka is causing all sorts of trouble for the right-handers. Good-length delivery on middle, slower too and this one grips a bit. Salt looks to whip it away but gets a leading edge that goes wide of short third. Maheesh Theekshana lunges across to his right and the ball falls short, going past the fielder for a boundary as well.

Dilshan Madushanka to Phil Salt, A string of three dots in a row here. Fuller again, just outside off, driven straight to covers.

Dilshan Madushanka to Phil Salt, Nicely bowled again. Pace-on this time from Madushanka, bowling it fuller and wider of the off stump line. Phil Salt stays leg side of the ball and throws his hands at it but fails to lay a bat on it.

Dilshan Madushanka to Phil Salt, That should have been put away. Slower ball, turns out to be a low full toss angling across off, Salt looks to hammer it through covers but gets an edge and the ball goes on the bounce to the keeper.

Dilshan Madushanka to Jacob Bethell, Good running! Back of a length, Bethell rocks back and pulls it straight to mid-wicket for a quick single.

Dilshan Madushanka to bowl three overs on a trot? Yes! So far, so good from Sri Lanka's point of view.

Dunith Wellalage to Phil Salt, FOUR! Gets it through! Short, around off, Salt stands tall and gets on top of the bounce. Thumps it along the ground towards cover, where the fielder gets low to his right but he gets a bad bounce and the ball evades him before racing away.

Dunith Wellalage to Jacob Bethell, Drops it a bit too short, on off, Jacob hammers the pull to deep mid-wicket, where the fielder makes a slight fumble but recovers well. Keeps the batters down to a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Phil Salt, Flighted delivery, full and on leg. Salt stays back to the full ball and flicks it to deep mid-wicket. They cross.

Dunith Wellalage to Phil Salt, Sliding on with the arm, tucking the batter up for room. Salt hangs back and pats it down on the strip.

Dunith Wellalage to Jacob Bethell, Floated up, on middle, Bethell nurdles it square on the leg side and opens his account with a single.

A low score yet again for Jos Buttler, and his struggle extends in this tournament. Jacob Bethell walks in at number 3.

Dunith Wellalage to Jos Buttler, OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! Jos Buttler has been put out of his misery. Angled in from around the wicket, fractionally short, on middle. Buttler switches his stance and goes for the reverse. He misses it completely and gets hit on the pads right in front of the stumps. Sri Lanka go up in unison and the finger is raised. Jos has a word with his partner, but the timer runs out before he can make a decision. It would have been a waste of a review had he taken it. The Ball Tracking has the ball crashing into the middle stump.

Jos Buttler is having a tough time out there. He's currently on 7 off 13 balls and the pressure is mounting. Dunith Wellalage will continue from this end...

Dilshan Madushanka to Jos Buttler, Full, outside off, Jos backs away to open up the off side. The ball catches the outside edge and goes quickly towards short third, where the fielder dives to his left and makes the stop. Just a single. A couple of quiet overs from Dilshan Madushanka. His figures read 2-0-7-0.

Dilshan Madushanka to Jos Buttler, Trifecta of plays and misses! Dilshan Madushanka pushes the length up, in and around the off stump. Buttler is tentative with his footwork and just goes searching for the ball by getting his hands out in front. The ball beats him for pace and goes past the outside edge.

Dilshan Madushanka to Jos Buttler, And again! Closer to the off stump and the length stays full. Buttler stays rooted to the crease and extends his hands on the drive. The ball leaves him on the angle and whistles past the outside edge. A wry smile from Jos.

Dilshan Madushanka to Jos Buttler, A play and a miss! This is pushed across the right-hander, full in length, Jos does not move his feet at all and goes hard on the drive just with his hands. Gets beaten all ends up on the outside edge.

Dilshan Madushanka to Jos Buttler, In the blockhole, outside off, Buttler reaches out to get the drive away. Jams it out off the toe end of the bat to backward point.

Dilshan Madushanka to Jos Buttler, A bit too full, on the pads. Jos clips it neatly to the left of deep square leg. The fielder in the deep sprints and dives to his left. He prevents the boundary. Two runs taken.

Dunith Wellalage to Phil Salt, Oh, that could have gone anywhere! Wellalage slows it down and keeps the stumps in play. On a length, on middle. Salt pushes out in front with a straight bat but the ball grips and turns a bit to catch the outer half of the blade. It pops up but lands well in front of cover-point.

Dunith Wellalage to Jos Buttler, Pushed through, short and on middle. Jos hurriedly drops his bat down on the ball. Stabs it to the right of cover and takes a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Phil Salt, Full and quick, on middle, Phil works it to wide long on and crosses over.

Dunith Wellalage to Phil Salt, SIX! All the way! This is fuller and slower, outside off. A hint of turn. Salt clears the front leg and swings through the line. Lofts it with a flat bat over wide long off. The fielder on the ropes looked to be in business for a moment but the ball sailed over his head.

Dunith Wellalage to Jos Buttler, This is darted in at the pads, on a nagging length. Jos presses back and wrists it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Dunith Wellalage to Jos Buttler, Starts from around the wicket, on the shorter side, on off. Buttler stands tall and taps it to cover.

Dunith Wellalage to operate from the other end.

Dilshan Madushanka to Jos Buttler, Madushanka gets away with it! He goes full in search of swing but ends up dishing out a thigh-high full toss on the pads. Buttler does not take it on and just clips it to deep square leg. They cross. A tidy first over from Dilshan. Just 4 runs off it.

Dilshan Madushanka to Phil Salt, Madushanka keeps it nice and full, a bit of movement in the air. Salt brings his bottom hand into play and hits it to wide long on for another single.

Dilshan Madushanka to Jos Buttler, Very full from Madushanka, tailing back in at the toes. Buttler gets his bat down and squeezes it out behind square leg. Gets off the mark with a single, does Jos.

Dilshan Madushanka to Jos Buttler, Shaping back in at the pads, on a length. Jos tucks it off the legs to mid-wicket.

Dilshan Madushanka to Jos Buttler, Slightly fuller this time, at the sticks. Buttler pushes it off the front foot to mid off.

Dilshan Madushanka to Phil Salt, Phil Salt and England are away! A hint of inward shape, on a length, on middle. Salt brings his bat out in front and taps it along the ground to long on for a single.

We are done with the pre-match formalities. The Lankan players are in a huddle before they disperse to their respective positions. As expected, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler are to open for England. Buttler is short of runs. Will we see the best of him today? Maheesh Theekshana to start with the bowl. Nope, it's pace. Dilshan Madushanka to bowl first. Let's play...

National anthems time! The match officials walk out to the middle. The teams gather in the centre behind them as we get ready for the national anthems. It will be England's first, followed by that of the host nation.

PITCH REPORT - Eoin Morgan is pitchside. He shares that the forecast has changed since last night, and while it is dry for now, the humidity is up at 81 per cent. As for the dimensions, he mentions that the square boundaries are 62 and 65 metres, while the straight boundary stretches out to 74 metres. Russel Arnold feels it looks like a good wicket. Compared to the surfaces in Sri Lanka, he feels the ball should come onto the bat a little better here. Russel expects a bit more bounce than what we have seen at Premadasa or the SSC, but nothing excessive. Arnold reckons that there should be a hint of turn, but nothing alarming. On closer inspection, Russel feels that the strip is nice and hard. Adds that there is dry grass rolled into the surface and hardly any visible cracks. Further informs that this is the same wicket where Australia played Oman in the final group game. Russ does not expect a lot of help with the new ball for the seamers, and it is likely to be more about variations. Opines that the side batting first should target 175.

Ready to put Lanka under pressure - England's captain, Harry Brook, says that they would have bowled first as well. Adds that they see this as a new competition now and will look to put the hosts under pressure.  Mentions that they had an amazing series against Sri Lanka ahead of the World Cup, and the boys are confident to take things on and have a bit of a chuckle while saying that all the pitches here look the same. Ends by informing that it is the same team for them.

Confident to chase at home - The captain of Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka, provides the reason behind opting to bowl first, saying that they have done well while chasing, so they want to stick to it. Mentions that he is very happy with the team's performance, and the boys are confident ahead of this game. Mentions that he is very happy with the team's performance, and the boys are confident ahead of this game. Tells that the injuries have been very damaging, but replacements have done very well. Informs that they have made two changes with Dushmantha Chameera back in the side in place of Pramod Madushan, and Kusal Perera makes way for Kamil Mishara.

England (Unchanged Playing XI) - Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (In for Kusal Perera), Kusal Mendis (WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera (In for Pramod Madushan), Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka.

TOSS - Dasun Shanaka and the birthday boy, Harry Brook, are out in the middle for the coin flip. Up goes the coin, and it lands in Shanaka's favour. Sri Lanka elect to BOWL first.

The live visual shows the players are currently going through their drills as the sun beats down in Pallekele. So, that's a good start to the day. Hopefully, it stays the same way throughout the match. 

Weather to play a spoilsport? With Group 2 also featuring heavyweights like Pakistan and New Zealand, there is absolutely no room for a slow start in the Group of Death. Rain has already played its part in the first game of this group, with Pakistan and New Zealand having to share points last night. The forecast remains pessimistic for this match as well, but let's hope we develop some action in the Super Eight. Stay tuned for toss and other updates.

Lions against the Lions - England, meanwhile, arrive in the Super 8s after a roller-coaster journey through Group C. Harry Brook’s men have survived several scares, including a nail-biting finish against Nepal and a tough outing against the West Indies. While they possess plenty of firepower on paper, questions remain regarding their ability to handle quality spin, a weakness that Sri Lanka's versatile attack will undoubtedly look to exploit on this Pallekele surface.

Home advantage for Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka enter this contest having shown incredible grit in the face of adversity. Despite losing key stars like Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana to injuries, the Lankan Lions have leaned on their depth and the clinical form of Pathum Nissanka to navigate the group stages. While their recent narrow loss to Zimbabwe showed some vulnerability in their bowling defense, playing in familiar conditions gives them a distinct psychological edge against any visiting side.

Super-Sunday showdown - Welcome to a massive day of cricket as the T20 World Cup shifts gears into the Super 8 stage! After a brief lull in the schedule, the intensity returns with a double-header that kicks off in the scenic hills of Kandy.  The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium plays host to a pivotal Group 2 showdown between the resilient co-hosts, Sri Lanka, and a battle-hardened England side looking to find their best form.

...MATCH DAY...

Match intro - As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 enters its high-stakes Super 8 stage, all eyes turn to the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy for Match 2 as Sri Lanka take on England. This Group 2 heavyweight clash features co-hosts Sri Lanka taking on a revamped England side. Both teams arrived here via contrasting paths. Sri Lanka, buoyed by vocal home support and a clinical group stage (highlighted by a crucial win over Oman and a spirited fight against Australia), are looking to exploit their familiarity with these conditions. England, led by the aggressive Harry Brook, navigated a tricky Group C to prove they remain a powerhouse in the shortest format. Sri Lanka's late wobble - The Lankan Lions have roared loudly in the Group Stage, making light work of Oman and then channeled an epic performance against the Aussies. However, in their final game against Zimbabwe, the co-hosts stuttered and threw away a fine start with the bat. This was followed by an average bowling performance as well and they will need to step up, especially in the pace department, if they are to make a real claim for the semi-finals. They do have Pathum Nissanka, who is in blistering form with the bat but that middle order needs a consistent performer, as we are seeing lots of starts from the Lankan middle-order batters but not an innings of substance. Spin will be their most lethal weapon as expected but given the Lankans didn't fare all that well against the same opponents in the series leading up to the World Cup, the pressure will be on the home side to step up. England's love affair with spin continues - England, in particular, Harry Brook, have made clear that spin often irritates them but in this T20 World Cup, England seem to have used spin as a weapon and as a shield rather than running away from it. However, their journey so far has been far from perfect. Ordinary performances against the minnows, with both Nepal and Italy running them ragged, and a loss to West Indies means England have a lot of work to do. Looking at England's batting lineup, one would think that there's so much power in it but that power has been inconsistent at best. Will Jacks has actually been their saviour with a couple of blistering innings lower down the order, one of them being a fifty as well and has even bowled brilliantly. Harry Brook and co will look to step things up with the bat and that series just before the World Cup in Sri Lanka will give them confidence to do well in these conditions. Spin to win? The Lankan conditions are spin-heavy but that doesn't mean there's no role for the pacers. In fact, these conditions make the role of the pacers a lot more crucial as they need to be at their best to cause any sort of trouble. There's a line in Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight Rises,' in which the antagonist, Bane, tells Batman - 'Oh, you think darkness is your ally. But you merely adopted the dark, I was born in it, moulded by it.' Similar is the case here but that doesn't mean England's adopted spin-to-win mantra won't work against the masters of spin themselves. It will only make the battle even more engrossing. Pitch and conditions - The Pallekele surface is traditionally more sporting than the slow, turning tracks of Colombo. Early on, the late afternoon start means the ball will likely come onto the bat nicely, allowing power hitters like Phil Salt and Pathum Nissanka to capitalize on the Powerplay. However, as the match progresses and the tropical heat takes its toll, the pitch is expected to offer grip. Also, with the threat of rain looming large, there could be a shortened game, which might favor England and their power hitters. Form (Last 5 completed T20Is, most recent first) - SL - LWWWL | ENG - WWLWW. What's at stake? With Pakistan and New Zealand also in Group 2, there is zero room for error. A loss here puts immense pressure on the remaining two fixtures, essentially making every Super 8 game a must-win for semi-final aspirations. Sri Lanka will rely on the 12th man - the Kandy crowd, to unsettle an England side that is still adapting to the subcontinental humidity. Who are you backing for the win?