England got their three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka off to a winning start, edging the rain-affected opener by 11 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in Pallekele after a thrilling contest that swung on a spectacular hat-trick from Sam Curran and a commanding batting effort from Phil Salt. The victory gives England a 1–0 lead as both sides gear up for the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Persistent rain delayed the start of play at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, ultimately reducing the match to 17 overs per side. Sri Lanka, invited to bat first by England captain Harry Brook, made a promising start despite the shortened format, reaching 76 for 1 inside seven overs thanks to well-timed hitting from Kusal Mendis (37) and Pathum Nissanka (23).
However, the momentum shifted as England’s bowling attack — led by Adil Rashid (3/19) and Liam Dawson (2/31) — tightened the screws in the middle overs. Rashid’s probing spin choked scoring options, while Sam Curran produced one of the standout performances of the night with a brilliant hat-trick, only the second by an England bowler in men’s T20 internationals, dismissing Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana in consecutive deliveries in the 16th over to effectively end Sri Lanka’s innings with a dramatic collapse. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 133 in 16.2 overs, their last four wickets falling for just four runs.
Chasing a revised DLS target, England’s innings got off to an explosive start. Phil Salt led from the front, whacking 46 off 35 balls with a mix of power and timing, and setting the foundation for the chase. Salt’s innings included some aggressive strokeplay early on, punishing any loose deliveries and keeping England ahead of the required par score throughout their innings. Tom Banton also played an impactful cameo, scoring 29 off 15 deliveries, and Jos Buttler provided quickfire runs before his dismissal, helping England maintain a healthy pace through the middle. Harry Brook contributed an unbeaten 16, further solidifying the chase before rain halted play after 15 overs, with England at 125 for 4 — comfortably ahead of a DLS par score of 114.
The match will be remembered most for Curran’s extraordinary comeback with the ball. After being punished early, he delivered a match-defining over that completely turned the tide in England’s favour and etched his name into the record books with a memorable hat-trick — joining Chris Jordan as the only Englishmen to achieve the feat in T20 internationals.
The win not only gave England early series advantage but also served as a valuable confidence booster ahead of the T20 World Cup. The visitors showcased both bowling depth and batting firepower, adapting well to pressure situations and parrying Sri Lanka’s early offensive. For Sri Lanka, despite some bright moments with the bat, the middle-overs collapse and inability to finish strongly under pressure highlighted areas they will need to address before the next match.
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