COLOMBO: In a stunning upset at the T20 World Cup’s Super Eight round, Sri Lanka, playing at their home ground in the familiar atmosphere of the Palekelle Cricket Stadium, were handed their first defeat of the tournament by England.
The hosts, Sri Lanka, were bowled out for just 95 runs in 17 overs, falling short by 51 runs after England posted a competitive total of 146 runs.
England’s bowlers dominated the game, with exceptional performances from their entire bowling line-up, which dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting order in a quick succession. The match saw Sri Lanka’s chase falter early, and despite having the advantage of home conditions, they could not capitalize on England’s moderate total.
**Will Jacks** was named Player of the Match for his key contributions in both the batting and fielding departments. This victory marked a significant win for England, who are now leading Group B with 2 points, ahead of Pakistan and New Zealand, both with 1 point each. Sri Lanka, despite their previous unbeaten record, now finds themselves at the bottom of the group standings.
The match was the second in the Super Eight round, and with this win, England has shown why they remain one of the favorites in the tournament. Sri Lanka will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming fixtures to stay alive in the competition.
