Sri Lanka vs England Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8: Jofra Archer, Will Jacks shine as England seal 51-run victory over Sri Lanka

A full house at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was left disappointed as Sri Lanka were handed a humiliating defeat by England. . England were not at their best with the bat, but their bowling dominated proceedings and sealed a 51-run win.

Read Pratyush Raj's report from Kandy here

SL vs ENG Live Score: Jofra Archer, Will Jacks shine as England seal 51-run victory over Sri Lanka

Phil Salt’s sublime 62 laid the foundation for England’s commanding win before Sri Lanka’s batting imploded spectacularly in Kandy. After their bowlers restricted England to a below-par 146, Sri Lanka collapsed in a heap, undone by reckless shot selection and relentless pressure from England’s attack, led by Will Jacks and Jofra Archer.

SL vs ENG Live Score: WICKET! England win by 51 runs

SL vs ENG Live Score: WICKET! Dushmantha Chameera is clean bowled

Dushmantha Chameera is clean bowled by Liam Dawson and Sri Lanka lose their ninth.

SL 94/9 in 16 overs.

SL vs ENG Live Score: WICKET! Dasun Shanaka is OUT

Is it all over for Sri Lanka? Well, almost certainly as they lose their captain, Dasun Shanaka, who is caught at deep mid-wicket by Tom Banton. Shanaka goes for 30 off 24 balls and England are eight down

SL 82/8 in 14.2 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: SIX!

Dasun Shanaka breaks the shackles and sends Liam Dawson for a maximum over long-off. Second six for Sri Lanka and Shanaka, they need more of them.

SL 81/7 in 14 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: OUT!

Dushan Hemantha is out hit wicket, nothing is working for Sri Lanka at the moment as they lose their seventh wicket.

Overton delivered a short ball into the right-hander, who struggled with the pace. As he tried to deal with it, Hemantha dragged himself back onto the stumps while the ball deflected off his thigh pad to the leg side. Hemantha out for 5 off 8.

SL 69/7 in 12 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: Adil Rashid comes into the attack

Adil Rashid concedes just three runs in his first over.

SL 56/6 in 10 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: WICKET! Another gift by Sri Lanka

Kamindu Mendis is caught and bowled by Liam Dawson, and Sri Lanka lose their sixth wicket. Kamindu Mendis is gone for 13 off 11 balls.

SL 53/6 in 9 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: SIX! First maximum of Sri Lankan innings

Captain Dasun Shanaka hits the first six of Sri Lankan innings in the eighth over of the innings. Will Jacks pitches it just a bit short at the stumps and Shanaka pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum.

SL 45/5 in 8 overs

SL vs ENG Live Score: WICKET! Dunith Wellalage is OUT

Dunith Wellalage hits two boundaries off Will Jacks's over, tries to hit a third but mistimes and gets caught at mid-on. This is poor, very poor batting from Sri Lanka.

Will Jacks struck for his third wicket with an offbreak on leg stump. Wellalage tried to hit straight down the ground but mistimed it badly, the ball looping off the inside half towards mid-on. Harry Brook moved back and took a simple catch. Wellalage out for 10 off 10.

SL 34/5 in 5.5 overs

SL vs ENG Live Score: WICKET! Sri Lanka lose their fourth

Jofra Archer to Kamil Mishara — caught. A 143kph length ball jagged back in towards middle. Mishara stayed leg-side and attempted a punch through the off-side, but a thick outside edge flew low to gully. Jamie Overton dived to his right to complete the catch. Sri Lanka lost their fourth wicket in 13 balls. Mishara out for 6 off 11 (1 four).

SL 22/4 in five overs

SL vs ENG Live Score: Wellalage survives hat-trick

SL vs ENG Live Score: ONE MORE WICKET! Pavan Rathnayake goes for a golden duck

What is happening at Pallekele! Sri Lanka lose their third wicket, two wickets in two balls for Will Jacks.

Pavan Rathnayake dances down the track, tries to play a big shot, but slices it off the toe end of the bat and gets caught by Tom Banton.

SL 21/3 in 3.4 overs

SL vs ENG Live Score: WICKET! Another blow for Sri Lanka

Perfect start for England, not so for Sri Lanka as they lose their second wicket in just fourth over. Kusal Mendis is caught and bowled by Will Jacks.

SL 20/2 in 3.3 overs

SL vs ENG Live Score: WICKET! Pathum Nissanka out

Huge blow for Sri Lanka. Pathum Nissanka tries to hit a third consecutive boundary off Jofra Archer, but mistimes this time and gets caught at deep midwicket.

SL 15/1 in 2.4 overs

SL vs ENG Live Score: FOUR! Two consecutive boundaries

Pathum Nissanka hits two consecutive boundaries off Jofra Archer's second over, first through the gap between backward point and cover, and the second behind the wicket.

SL vs ENG Live Score: First boundary comes off the second over

Sri Lanka reach 7 for 0 after two overs, with Kamil Mishara on 5 off 8 balls and Pathum Nissanka on 1 off 4 deliveries. Will Jacks comes into the attack and concedes four runs in his over, including the first boundary of the innings as Mishara cuts a short delivery past cover, aided by a misfield. Jacks otherwise keeps it tight, beating Mishara several times with disciplined off-spin and sharp fielding from England preventing singles.

SL vs ENG Live Score: Archer gives away only three in the first over

Sri Lanka move to 3 for 0 after the first over, needing 144 more runs with a required run rate of 7.58. Kamil Mishara is on 1 off 2 balls, while Pathum Nissanka has scored 1 off 4 deliveries. Jofra Archer has completed a tidy opening over, conceding just three runs and keeping the scoring in check early in the chase.

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: We are back for the chase

Sri Lanka are 0 for 0 after 0.3 overs in their chase, needing 147 runs to win with a required run rate of 7.54. Pathum Nissanka is yet to get off the mark after facing three balls, while Kamil Mishara is at the non-striker’s end. Jofra Archer is bowling the opening over and has conceded no runs so far, keeping the pressure tight early in the innings.

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: England finish at 146 in 20 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: SIX! Just the fourth off England innings

Chameera bowls a short-of-length slower delivery. Jamie Overton clears his front leg and smashes it down the ground for a maximum, just the fourth SIX of England's innings.

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: ANOTHER WICKET!

Jofra Archer is gone for a golden duck; he has been caught at mid-off by Dushan Hemantha, and Dilshan Madushanka has his second wicket of the over and the match.

ENG 135/9 in 20 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: WICKET! Will Jacks gone

Nothing seems to be working for England today. Will Jacks could hurt Sri Lanka in the last few balls, not anymore as he has been caught at deep backward point after scoring 21 off 14 balls.

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: FOUR!

Will jacks gets width outside off and sends the ball for four through extra covers, England need more of them.

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: WICKET! Liam Dawson out

It's getting worse for England as they lose their seventh wicket. Maheesh Theekshana celebrated after deceiving Dawson with a flicker. The ball was short, and Dawson, advancing down the track, mistimed a heave and got a thick top edge.Dasun Shanakacompleted the catch. Dawson departs for 6 off 11 balls.

ENG 124/7 in 17.1 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: Can Jacks and Dawson take England to 160?

England have so far failed to build any partnership and have lost wickets in regular intervals. With six wickets down, Will Jacks and Liam Dawson are in the middle for England. Can they take their side to 160?

ENG 124/6 in 17 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: England bring their hundred and lose Phil Salt

England bring up their hundred on the last ball of the 14th over, thanks to a six by Phil Salt off Dushmanta Chameera.

Two balls later, the opener gets caught at long-off boundary by Dushan Hemantha off Dunith Wellalage's delivery and England lose their sixth wicket.

ENG 106/6 in 14.2 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: WICKET! FIve down England

Dushmanta Chameera gets Sam Curran caught at long-on. Chameera used a change of pace to good effect here. He delivered a slower full ball outside off, which Curran failed to control. Kamil Mishara completed the catch. Curran falls for 11 off 11 balls, with one six.

ENG 94/5 in 13.2 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: SIX! Curran goes big

Dushan Hemantha pitches a googly full on stumps, doesn't get any turn, and Sam Curran whacks it over cow corner for a huge six.

ENG 94/4 in 13 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: England lean on Salt

After losing Buttler and Bethell inside the powerplay, followed by Banton and Brook's wickets, England would hope that Phil Salt goes big in this crucial match. If Salt stays at the crease, he can take his side towards 150-160 and that could be a good total given it's a day match and dew won't play any role in the second innings.

ENG 83/4 in 12 overs

SL vs ENG Live Score: WICKET! Harry Brook is OUT

Harry Brook comes down the track to hit Dunith Wellalage for a four. Two balls later, the left-arm spinner gets the English spinner LBW, and England lose their fourth wicket. Brook reviews it, but the umpire's decision prevailed.

ENG 68/4 in 10 overs

SL vs ENG Live Score: Harry Brook is the new batter in

England skipper Harry Brook has joined Phil Salt in the middle. England are in desperate need of a partnership here after losing three quick wickets.

ENG 59/3 in 9 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: DISASTER FOR ENGLAND

Tom Banton is run out and England lose their third wicket. A 139.3 kph yorker was squeezed towards mid-off by Banton, and the batters tried to steal a quick single. A sharp direct hit at the bowler’s end caught Banton short despite his dive. The ball came nicely to Dasun Shanaka at mid-off, who completed the run-out. Banton departs for 6 off 7 balls.

ENG 49/3 in 7.5 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: Powerplay belongs to Sri Lanka

Just 37 runs conceded and two huge wickets of Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell, and Sri Lanka bowlers have ensured that the powerplay belongs to them.

ENG 37/2 in 6 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: OUT! Jacob Bethell falls

England in trouble! Maheesh Theekshana strikes first ball to dismiss Jacob Bethell (3)​.

Out! Caught by Dilshan Madushanka — Maheesh Theekshana strikes with his very first ball. He delivers a 91kph flighted ball, full and on the stumps, extracting just enough turn.

Jacob Bethell goes for an ambitious slog across the line but loses shape in the process. The ball takes a thick leading edge and flies toward backward point.

Madushanka reacts quickly, sprinting to his right and completing an excellent diving catch with both hands. Despite landing heavily on his elbows, he keeps the ball secure to give Sri Lanka an early breakthrough.

ENG 32/2 in 5.1 overs

SL vs ENG Live Score: FOUR! FOUR!

Phil Salt (22* off 13) keeps the scoreboard ticking for England. He smashed back-to-back fours off Dilshan Madushanka after enduring three consecutive dot balls. Nine runs came off it. Good one for England.

ENG 32/1 after 5 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: OUT! Buttler falls

BIG WICKET! Dunith Wellalage strikes to dismiss Jos Buttler (7)

LBW! Jos Buttler has been trapped in front after missing a premeditated reverse hit. He briefly consulted partner Phil Salt before deciding against the review and walking back, ending a scratchy stay at the crease.

It was a flighted delivery on a length that angled in without much turn. Buttler shuffled early to switch his stance and attempt the reverse, but failed to make contact and was struck on the thigh right in front of the stumps. Ball-tracking later confirmed the decision, showing the ball crashing into middle stump.

ENG 16/1 in 3.1 overs

SL vs ENG Live Score: Madhushanka keeps it quiet

Another tidy one from Dilshan Madushanka, just four runs off it. This after Phil Salt hit the first six of the innings in the previous over bowled by Dunith Wellalage. England scored 9 runs off Wellalage, but Madhushanka kept it quiet.

ENG 16/0 after 3 overs

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: Watchful start!

As anticipated, England’s openers began cautiously against Sri Lanka, focusing on settling in rather than attacking early.

Phil Salt and Jos Buttler showed restraint against the new ball, respecting the conditions and disciplined bowling.

Dilshan Madushanka delivered a tidy opening over, conceding just four singles and keeping the batters under control.

There were no boundaries or risky strokes, reflecting England’s intent to build a solid platform.

ENG 4/0 in 1 over

SL vs ENG Live Score: Here we go....

Phil Salt and Jos Buttler walked out to open the innings, with Salt taking strike as Dilshan Madushanka began the attack.

England will start cautiously despite the typically flat surface at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Persistent rain in the lead-up meant the pitch remained under covers until the afternoon, leaving some uncertainty over early behaviour.

Given the conditions and careful approach, England are expected to prioritise stability in the powerplay, likely aiming for a steady total in the first six overs.

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: Pitch Report!

"Well, out in the middle, the sun is beating down currently. We have had a lot of rain in the last 12 hours here, but the good news is it has cleared. We might see a little bit of overcast weather coming through, highest of about 25 degrees, with that humidity getting up to 84%. Then the dimensions for today's game, the longest is straight back down the ground, 74 meters straight, but square of the wicket is 65 meters, and over to the short side is 62, and the shortest is 57. Really good to see a pitch like this. The wet conditions we mentioned, this looks a dry one. It will be on the slower side. There will be enough bounce, but it's all about controlling the pace when you bowl. Let the batter come at you. I think England will need around 175 to put some pressure on the Sri Lankan batting, because this pitch will stay the same." - Eoin Morgan and Russel Arnold

SL vs ENG Live Score: What captains say at the toss

Harry Brook: "We would have had a bowl as well. We see this is a new competition now. we got to be brave and take the opposition and look to put them under pressure. Yeah, we had an amazing series here against them guys. And we take a lot of confidence having played three games on this pitch already. So, looking forward to the challenge that presents us today. (On the pitch) They all looks similar here, I'm going to be honest. We'll see how it plays early on and then try and adapt as well as possible. Like I said, we've got to be brave and take them on. We've got the same team, but it's a long time ago."

Dasun Shanaka: "We want to bowl first. We've been chasing it well in the past few occasions, happy to chase it down. (On his team's performances so far) Very happy and very confident. Boys are very confident playing here. Injuries have been very damaging but at the same time, the replacements have done really well for us. Couple of changes. Chameera comes back for Pramod Madushan and Kamil Mishara comes for Kusal Perera."

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: Playing XIs

Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (w), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka

England XI: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (w), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid

SL vs ENG Live Score: TOSS TIME!

Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka wins the toss, opts to bowl against England.

Dasun Shanaka after winning the toss: "We are gonna bowl first. Happy to chase. Very happy and confident. Boys are confident to play here. Couple of changes. Chameera and Mishara come in."

Harry Brook at the toss: "We would have bowled first as well. We had an amazing series here against them. Looking forward to the challenge. We'll see how it plays and try to adapt as soon as possible. Same team."

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: Toss in 5 minutes!

Sri Lanka face a crucial test today against an inconsistent England outfit that is still searching for its best form in the tournament.

England have flattered to deceive so far, scraping past Nepal and Italy, suffering a defeat to the West Indies, and even facing a brief scare against Scotland. Despite those uneven performances, they remain dangerous, knowing that major tournaments are about peaking at the right moment.

Their recent 3–0 series sweep over Sri Lanka in similar conditions will give them confidence heading into this Super 8 contest.

England will expect familiarity with the venue and opposition to work in their favour as the stakes rise.

For Sri Lanka, it is an opportunity to challenge a side that has shown vulnerability but retains the pedigree to deliver when it matters most.

SL vs ENG Live Score: Weather Update!

After prolonged rain from around 6 pm until well past midnight on Saturday, conditions have improved with sunshine returning over the venue today morning.

The outfield has begun to recover, and the grounds staff have already removed several protective covers.

However, the threat of further interruptions remains, with additional rain forecast.

Some covers are still kept ready near the square as a precaution, indicating that while the weather has cleared for now, officials remain cautious amid an uncertain afternoon forecast.

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: Head-to-head record between England and Sri Lanka in T20Is

Total matches played: 17

England won: 13

Sri Lanka won: 4

Performance of both teams in their last 5 matches

England: W, W, L, W, W

Sri Lanka: L, W, W, W, L

Squads:

England: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid,Phil Salt, Josh Tongue Luke Wood

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka(c), Charith Asalanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dushan Hemantha, Dilshan Madushanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Pathum Nissanka, Pramod Madushan, Pavan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage

SL vs ENG Live Score: Sridhar downplays past results, backs Sri Lanka to rise under pressure

Sri Lanka’s fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar dismissed the relevance of their recent bilateral series defeat to England, stressing that World Cup matches bring a completely different level of pressure and intensity.

England had dominated that series, but Sridhar believes such results hold little value heading into a knockout-style Super 8 fixture. He explained that World Cup games test teams mentally as much as technically, and success depends on handling pressure situations and minimising mistakes rather than relying on past records.

Sri Lanka will also take heart from the improved form of key players, particularly opener Pathum Nissanka, who recently struck a superb century against Australia. His resurgence at the top of the order provides Sri Lanka with momentum and belief as they look to challenge England’s strong head-to-head record.

While England see early wickets as the key to controlling the contest, Sri Lanka view the occasion as an opportunity to reset and deliver under global tournament pressure.

Sridhar emphasised that teams which execute their plans calmly and handle crucial moments better are the ones that progress in tournaments of this magnitude. With both sides aware of the stakes and unpredictable weather adding another layer of uncertainty, the clash promises to be as much a test of adaptability and temperament as skill.

Sri Lanka vs England Live Score: Harry Brook ready for any scenario as rain threat looms

England captain Harry Brook insisted his side will prepare for a full T20 contest despite the threat of heavy rain potentially reducing their crucial Super 8 clash against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Stadium.

Unseasonal showers in Kandy over the past few days have raised the possibility of a shortened match, with scenarios ranging from a standard 20-over game to a five-over shootout.

Brook emphasised the importance of maintaining a normal approach rather than overthinking reduced-overs strategies, saying teams can fall into a “rabbit hole” if they prepare exclusively for a shortened game that may never happen.

However, he acknowledged that England are ready to adapt quickly if required. In the event of a five-over contest, England could reshuffle their batting order and adopt an ultra-aggressive approach from ball one.

Brook made it clear that aggression is already central to England’s philosophy, saying he wants his players to go “hell for leather” regardless of the match length and impose themselves on the opposition.

England have also delayed naming their playing XI until the toss due to the uncertain weather and pitch conditions, a break from their usual practice of announcing the team early.

Despite a mixed group-stage campaign, England will draw confidence from their recent 3-0 T20I series sweep at the same venue, giving them familiarity with both conditions and surroundings ahead of this high-stakes encounter.