Colombo: England delivered a dominant all-round performance to defeat Sri Lanka by 51 runs in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eights clash, bowling out the hosts for just 95 in 16.4 overs after posting 146/9.

Defending a competitive total on a spin-friendly surface, England’s bowlers – led by Will Jacks and Adil Rashid – dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting line-up with a disciplined middle-overs squeeze. The home side’s chase never recovered from a dramatic powerplay collapse, slumping to 34/5, their second-lowest powerplay total in this edition among full-member teams.

Jofra Archer provided early breakthroughs, removing Pathum Nissanka with a well-planned trap at deep mid-wicket before dismissing Kamil Mishara. However, it was Will Jacks who broke the backbone of Sri Lanka’s innings.

The off-spinner struck twice in the fourth over, including the key wicket of Kusal Mendis with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort, and later dismissed Dunith Wellalage. Jacks finished with figures of 3/22, becoming the first England spinner to claim three wickets in the powerplay of a T20 International.

Liam Dawson complemented the attack with tight lines and drift, accounting for Kamindu Mendis and producing another caught-and-bowled dismissal. A hit-wicket from Dushan Hemantha further highlighted Sri Lanka’s mounting pressure.

At 53/6, the result appeared inevitable despite a brief counterattack from captain Dasun Shanaka. The all-rounder struck 30 off 24 balls, including two sixes, but Rashid’s experience turned the tide firmly in England’s favour. The leg-spinner removed Shanaka following a sharp relay catch in the deep and then cleaned up the tail with his trademark wrong ’un.

Rashid sealed the victory by bowling Dilshan Madushanka, as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 95 – their lowest total against England in T20 World Cup history.

Earlier, England had faced challenges after being sent in to bat. Phil Salt anchored the innings with a fluent 62 off 40 balls, while disciplined spells from Dunith Wellalage (3/26) and Maheesh Theekshana (2/21) restricted England to 146/9.

The total proved more than sufficient as England extended their dominance over Sri Lanka with a 12th consecutive T20I win in the head-to-head rivalry.

Brief Scores

England 146/9 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 62; Dunith Wellalage 3/26, Maheesh Theekshana 2/21)

Sri Lanka 95 all out in 16.4 overs (Dasun Shanaka 30; Will Jacks 3/22, Adil Rashid 2/13, Jofra Archer 2/20)

England won by 51 runs.

IANS