England Snags Nail-Biting, Rain-Shortened Win Against Sri Lanka

The England tour of Sri Lanka started with a bang! England snagged a win against the home team by 11 runs by DLS in the first T20 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on January 30, 2026. Rain cut the match down to 17 overs, but England’s tight bowling and some great plays at just the right time sealed the deal and gave them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Sri Lanka’s Batsmen Stumble After a Good Start

Sri Lanka looked solid at first, cruising to 75 for 1 in the initial seven overs. Openers Pathum Nissanka (23 off 20) and Kamil Mishara (16 off 9) got things going with some nice shots. Then, Captain Kusal Mendis kept things moving with a fast 37 off 20, showing he could really get the score up in the middle overs. Dasun Shanaka tossed in 20, which helped keep the score up.

But then England’s spinners, Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson, spun some magic in the middle overs. They knocked Sri Lanka from 75 for 1 down to 100 for 6 in just five overs. Rashid ended up with 3 for 19, and Dawson grabbed 2 wickets, kicking off a collapse that left Sri Lanka at 133 all out in 16.2 overs. Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana didn’t do much with the bat, scoring zero each.

Extras tossed in nine runs (four byes, two leg-byes, and three wides), but overall, Sri Lanka just didn’t have the power to get the score up high enough. Even with the wickets falling, Kusal Mendis played great and Sri Lanka’s top order came out swinging.

England’s Chase

England had to chase a DLS-adjusted target of 114, and they started slow with tough weather. Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell went out early, leaving England at 4 for 2 in just 4.6 overs. Phil Salt kept things steady with 46 off 35 balls, and Tom Banton helped out with a quick 29. Captain Harry Brook stayed calm at 16 not out, steering his team through the final overs.

England got a boost from extras (seven runs in wides and leg-byes), which pushed them past the DLS score. Sam Curran’s 1 not out and Brook’s 16 made sure England stayed ahead as the rain ended the game.

Sam Curran’s Hat-Trick Steals the Show

Sam Curran grabbed a hat-trick! This is England’s first T20I hat-trick since Chris Jordan did it against the USA back in 2024. Curran’s comeback after giving up 35 runs in his first two overs showed he’s got guts and brains. In his last over, he took out Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, and Matheesha Pathirana, ending Sri Lanka’s innings for good.

Curran showed just how good he is for England, making him a real star for the 2026 T20 World Cup. This also proves England has some serious bowling power, especially in tough, rainy games.

Adil Rashid & Spin Magic

Adil Rashid showed again why he’s one of the best T20 spinners around. His 3 for 19 stopped Sri Lanka from scoring big during the middle overs, shifting the game. He and Dawson spun a web that Sri Lanka just couldn’t get out of. The two demonstrated how wrist-spin and off-spin can be killer, even in places like Sri Lanka.

Quick Bowling

Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer got some big wickets early on, testing out Sri Lanka’s batters. Archer, back from a strain, brought the heat with speed and accuracy, almost grabbing some early wickets that could have changed everything. Overton’s two wickets for only 17 runs were spot on, showing how well England can use seamers, even in short T20s with rain.

Matheesha Pathirana, Sri Lanka’s quick bowler, also bowled great in his four overs, taking one wicket and keeping the economy at 4.5. Eshan Malinga and Wanindu Hasaranga helped out, but England’s all-around game got them the win.

Rain & Drama

The rain really messed with the match, causing a 90-minute delay and cutting the game to 17 overs. The ground staff did a great job covering the field to keep everyone safe. There weren’t any fights on the field, but the DLS target change made things tense, especially for Sri Lankan fans.

Match Highlights

The game had some great moments. Sam Curran’s hat-trick, Adil Rashid’s great spin, and Phil Salt keeping cool under pressure were big things. For Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis and Dasun Shanaka had some great plays, even though the middle order collapse took the shine off. England chasing the score with DLS showed they are ready for anything.

Quick Thoughts

This match was a crazy way to kick off England’s tour of Sri Lanka, showing how important it is to keep calm and be adaptable in T20. England’s win came from everyone working together, but Curran’s hat-trick and Rashid’s spin were key. Sri Lanka had some weak spots in the middle and needed to handle the pressure better.

England will probably feel pretty confident going into the next matches, mostly because of their spin game and Banton and Salt’s batting. Sri Lanka needs to improve the middle order and deal with pressure, particularly against good spinners.

The rain-shortened game put both teams to the test, and England staying ahead with DLS shows they know the game well. Curran’s hat-trick is something to remember, and it gives England some energy for the rest of the series.

What’s Next?

England will likely keep trusting Curran and Rashid to get wickets. Banton and Salt need to keep being aggressive but smart in the middle overs. For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis need to get things going early to fight England’s strong bowling. The next T20s might see England lockup the series if they play with the same control.

If Sri Lanka fixes the middle order and uses their spin attack, the series could still be close. Expect some tight matches, maybe with more rain, where DLS could switch things up. Both teams are strong, but England seems to handle pressure better right now.