Sri Lanka hand Harry Brook a birthday gift as England begin Super 8 with win

T20 World Cup, SL vs ENG Super 8: Sri Lanka were bundled out for 95 in 16.4 overs as England's spinners ran riot, successfully defending a par total of 146. Will Jacks starred with his part-time off-spin, claiming three crucial wickets in Pallekele on Sunday.

Brief Score: England (146 for 9 in 20 overs) beat Sri Lanka (95-all out in 16.4 overs) by 51 runs in Super 8 Group 2 match of T20 World Cup 2026 in Pallekele. | SL vs ENG Full Scorecard - Highlights |

Sri Lanka did everything right in the first half of their T20 World Cup Super 8 match against England in Pallekele on Saturday. The only problem was that they got it right only in the first half. Well begun is half done — but only half done.

After restricting England to 146 in their 20 overs, Sri Lanka’s batting order imploded, falling short of the target by 51 runs and handing birthday boy and opposition captain Harry Brook a lovely gift: two crucial points in the Super 8 stage.

Sri Lanka were bundled out for 95 in just 16.4 overs as England spinners, led by part-timer Will Jacks, ran riot, picking up seven wickets in an excellent defence of a below-par total.

This was also England’s 12th successive win over Sri Lanka in men’s T20Is – a streak that dates back to 2014.

The pitch at the Pallekele Stadium was a spin bowler’s friend. Sri Lanka bowled 12 overs of spin, picked up five wickets and gave away 85 runs. But England bettered Sri Lanka in their own battle, with Jacks leading the trial by spin. The part-timer, who has been having a dream run in the tournament, bowled all his four overs and picked three wickets, running through the Sri Lankan top-order.