Colombo, Feb 22 (NationPress) In a remarkable display of skill, England triumphed over Sri Lanka by 51 runs during their Super Eights match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Defending a total of 146/9, they bowled out the host nation for a mere 95 runs in just 16.4 overs.

The foundation of England’s success was laid by an impressive spin performance. Although their batting was challenged, Phil Salt played a pivotal role, scoring a steady 62 runs off 40 deliveries. Nevertheless, regular wickets taken by Sri Lanka’s spinners, particularly Dunith Wellalage (3-26) and Maheesh Theekshana (2-21), restricted England to a modest score on a pitch favoring bowlers.

As Sri Lanka began their chase, England's bowlers quickly shifted the momentum. Jofra Archer made an early impact, followed by a game-defining performance from Will Jacks, who bagged 3 wickets for only 22 runs, becoming the first England spinner to achieve this feat in the T20I powerplay. His crucial dismissals included top-order batter Kusal Mendis, leading Sri Lanka to a precarious 34/5.

Despite a brief fightback from captain Dasun Shanaka, who contributed 30 runs off 24 balls, England’s spin attack kept the pressure unrelenting. Adil Rashid wrapped up the innings by taking out the lower order, leading to Sri Lanka's collapse.

With a total of 95, Sri Lanka recorded their lowest score against England in T20 World Cups, while England celebrated their 12th consecutive T20I victory over the island nation, solidifying their standing in the Super Eights.

Here are the significant statistics from the match between England and Sri Lanka:

• 8 – Phil Salt achieved his eighth half-century in 57 T20Is, marking his second fifty in just 13 T20 World Cup innings.
• 12 – England marked their 12th consecutive win against Sri Lanka in T20Is.
• 6 – Dasun Hemantha was out hit wicket off Jamie Overton's bowling, making it the sixth instance of this in T20 World Cups, and the third in the current tournament.
• 3/22 – Will Jacks recorded his second-best T20I bowling figures in this match, previously achieving 3/14 against Sri Lanka at the same venue on Feb 3, 2026.
• 3 – Sri Lanka's total of 95 was their third lowest in T20 World Cup history, previously scoring 77 vs South Africa in New York in 2024 and 87 vs Australia in Bridgetown in 2010.
• 7 – English spinners took seven wickets in this match, the highest by them in a single T20 World Cup game.
• 146/9 – This total was the second-lowest successfully defended against Sri Lanka in T20 World Cups, following West Indies' 137/6 in Colombo in 2012.
• 3 – Will Jacks earned his third Player of the Match award, the highest for any player in the current World Cup.