Sri Lanka achieved a remarkable victory by chasing down England’s target with five wickets to spare in the opening T20 of the three-match series in Colombo on Friday.
England chose to bat first and posted a challenging score of 186-5, powered by impressive performances from Jos Buttler (71) and Dawid Malan (50), both reaching half-centuries.
Sri Lanka’s response began strongly with an opening partnership between Pathum Nissanka (36) and Danushka Gunathilaka (34), which contributed 68 runs for the first wicket.
However, Buttler’s pivotal contributions in the 10th over caused Sri Lanka to stumble, resulting in the loss of three wickets for just 12 runs.
Nevertheless, Kusal Mendis (45) and Charith Asalanka (44) orchestrated a remarkable recovery, forming a partnership of 74 runs for the fourth wicket.
In the final over, with 28 runs needed, Dushmantha Chameera (19 not out) displayed his batting prowess, securing victory with two balls to spare.
This victory holds significance for Sri Lanka, considering their previous struggles against England, having lost five consecutive T20 matches.
The triumph also granted Sri Lanka a 1-0 series lead, with the next two matches scheduled to take place in Kandy on Sunday and Tuesday.
Key Highlights
Here are some notable takeaways from Sri Lanka’s impressive win over England:
Sri Lanka’s batting brilliance was evident as they overcame recent scoring challenges. Contributions from Nissanka, Gunathilaka, Mendis, and Asalanka formed a solid foundation for their successful pursuit. Chameera emerged as a batting hero, smashing crucial boundaries in the final over. His performance showcased his versatility beyond bowling skills. England’s bowlers struggled, conceding 186 runs in their 20 overs. While Buttler’s figures of 2-23 were notable, the remaining bowlers found it difficult to contain Sri Lanka’s aggressive batting lineup. Sri Lanka now holds favoritism in the series after their victory, placing them ahead 1-0. England’s bowlers must improve to level the series. In summary, Sri Lanka’s victory was a commendable achievement, reflecting their determination and resolve, which bodes well for their upcoming matches.