Sri Lanka vs England, ENG in SL, 3 T20Is, 2026 Jan 30 Full score card

Hard length on the pads, Harry Brook tucks this through mid-wicket for a single.

On a length around off, Sam Curran punts this down the ground for a strike rotation.

OUT! CAUGHT! Slower one, wide of off, and fuller. Phil Salt looks to get underneath it and slog this over the fence but fails to do it. Ends up chipping this straight to long on. Dunith Wellalage, on as a substitute, does well to run in front and dive in front to grab it. Salt vanishes just four short of his fifty.

Good length on off, Harry Brook punches this to sweeper cover for a single.

Short and on off, Harry Brook fends this to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

On a length shaping away from the batter, Harry Brook gets it edged to short third for no run.

Slower one, on the pads, Phil Salt looks to flick but misse again but the ball brushes his shoe as the ball rolls back to the keeper.

Short and wide of off, Phil Salt initially looks to poke at it but bails out at the end.

Full and just down the leg, Phil Salt comes a long way inside the line and misses the flick. Not a wide.

FOUR! Hammered down the ground for four. On a length, curving away from the batter, Phil Salt thumps this down to the left of long on for a boundary.

Pathum Nissanka drops a straightforward catch at sweeper cover. Short and wide of off, Harry Brook backs away and lofts this straight into the hands of Pathum Nissanka at sweeper cover. Pathum runs in rapidly and ends up dropping this as he gets too close to the flight of the ball.

Full and on leg, Harry Brook backs away and punches this to short extra cover.

Dragged length, turns away a fair bit from off. Harry Brook hangs back and swivels before jamming the pull down to wide long on for one more.

Lobbed up around off, turns away a bit. Salt slaps it down to long off and rotates strike.

Two is the call and two is what they get. Flatter delivery on middle, Salt presses back and tucks it neatly through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

The wrong'un now, on a length and outside off. Brook advances and gets an inside edge towards short fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Up and over. Tossed up around off, Harry Brook sits down and goes for the reverse-sweep, getting more of a top edge on it but the ball sails over backward point for a boundary.

Dragged length on middle, slower and turning away. Salt waits back and punches it down to long off for a single.

Shortish length around off, jammed down straight to the cover-point fielder. 29 needed now off 30 balls.

Flatter and full on off, punched away past the diving extra cover fielder and down to wide long off for a single.

SIX! Just a chip and the ball goes all the way. The 100 is also up for England now. Drifted on the pads, on a dragged length, Phil Salt picks it up and flicks it over deep square leg for a maximum.

Quicker one, on a good length and around off. This is punched away to extra cover.

Length at the stumps, punched away off the back foot and wide of deep mid-wicket for a single.

Brook looks very uncertain out there in the middle. Flatter one on off, Brook presses back but it straightens and catches the outside edge of the blade.

Dragged length on middle, cramping the batter for room. Salt jams it down to mid on.

A bit fuller and on the pads, worked away in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Oh, almost undone by the googly again. Bowled flatter and on off, darts back in. Brook leans on to play at it but gets an inside edge back onto the pads.

Beautifully bowled. A googly now, not all that full and outside off. Harry Brook lunges across and leaves a big gap between bat and pad. Luckily for him, the ball doesn't quite turn back and just beats the inside edge.

Tossed up, full and around off, driven firmly but straight to long off for a single.

Flatter ball, on middle and leg, Salt stays back and just nudges it into the open space at mid-wicket and the batters race back for the second run. Good running.

Yorker, around off, Phil Salt goes for the flick and gets it edged off the inside half of the bat to deep square leg for a single.

WIDE! A bit too high for the batter. Wide given for height.

WIDE! Full and wide down the leg. Salt misses on the flick. Wided.

A vicious short one, around off, Harry Brook looks to hook this behind square on leg but ends up getting it toe-poked to the space towards the right of the fielder at third man region for a single.

On a length, straight one, wide of off. Harry Brook looks to play the lofted drive but misses.

Short and wide of off, Harry Brook cuts this to deep third's right and hustles back for two.

The English skipper, Harry Brook, walks in at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT! A catch of the highest order from Charith Asalanka. On a length, wide of off, Tom Banton strides to the pitch of the ball and punches this a bit uppish but well to the wide of short extra cover. Charith Asalanka dives low to his right and grabs it two-handed as he falls on the deck. Tom Banton departs after scoring 29 off 15.

Hard length, around off, Phil Salt flat bats this just short of the fielder at long on for a run.

DRINKS BREAK! More of a timeout, it seems, from the umpire's signal. Anyway, this has been an electric chase so far from England and although Sri Lanka have managed to pick up a couple of wickets, the visitors are running away with it. 48 needed in as many deliveries and Tom Banton has come out playing so many shots, staking his claim for a spot in the Playing XI when that first World Cup game comes. Can the Lankans conjure up some sort of a fightback? Let's find out. Also, Matheesha Pathirana is brought back into the attack. He went for just 6 runs in his first 2 overs.

Floated into the line of the stumps, Phil Salt backs away and punches this to sweeper cover for a single.

Quicker one, around off, Tom Banton milks this towards the onside for a run.

FOUR! Excellent use of the feet from Tom Banton to hit this away for four. Short and around off, Tom Banton backs away and lofts this over the fielder at extra cover for a boundary. England now needs 50 more to win.

Full and on off, Phil Salt pushes this through covers for one.

Fired onto the pads, Tom Banton goes onto his back foot and tucks this through mid-wicket for a strike rotation.

Pushed through on middle and off, Phil Salt rolls this down to long on for a run.

Maheesh Theekshana (1-0-14-0) is brought back into the attack.

Pushed through on off, Tom Banton punches this to covers for no run. 17 off that over.

SIX! BACK-TO-BACK BIGGIES! A tad short from Wanindu Hasaranga and Tom Banton was waiting for it. Tom rocks deep inside the crease and pulls this out of the park, beyond the deep mid-wicket region for a huge six.

SIX! That's been hit even better by Tom Banton. Tossed up, wide of off this time, Tom Banton once again goes for the reverse sweep and ends up clearing the fence towards deep third for a biggie.

FOUR! Calculated risk for four. Tossed up, around off, Tom Banton picks up the line early, plays the reverse sweep and hits this over the fielder at backward point for a boundary. Tom Banton races to 11 off 8.

Full and wide outside off, Phil Salt flicks this to long on's right and takes a run.

Slider around off, Phil Salt punches this to short cover.

Back of a length around the pads, Phil Salt hangs back and nudges this through backward square leg for a single.

Back of the hands, slower one, around off, Tom Banton dabs thsi gently, in front of mid off and rotates.

Good length on off, Tom Banton punches this back to the bowler.

Hard length on off, Tom Banton rocks back and dabs this to point for no run.

FOUR! Good value for this clever stroke from Banton. Pace off, slower one, into the deck and wide of off. Tom Banton strides to the pitch of it, intentionally opens the face of his bat and slices this away to the right of the fielder at deep third for four runs.

Good length wide of off, Phil Salt hangs onto his back foot and cuts this to deep point for a run.

Tossed up, around off, Tom Banton drives this to covers for no run.

Pushed through around middle and off, Phil Salt rocks back and punts this to long on for a run.

Wrong'un wide of off, Tom Banton punches this to sweeper cover for a single.

Quicker one, around off, Phil Salt rocks back and rolls this to long on for a strike rotation.

Full and on off, Tom Banton drills this down the ground for one.

DROPPED! How costly will this turn out to be? Phil Salt has been given a lifeline on 17 as Kamil Mishara drops a sitter. Short and on off, Phil Salt hangs back and slogs this flat and straight to the fielder at deep mid-wicket. Kamil Mishara settles himself behind it but ends up dropping this. A single taken.

Tom Banton, is out next to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! Eshan Malinga strikes in back-to-back overs and Sri Lanka are back in business. Another slower ball, pitching it fuller and outside off. Jacob Bethell is early into the cover drive and the ball stops on him. JB ends up chipping it wide of the cover fielder. Dasun Shanaka dives to his right and pouches it brilliantly and Malinga is absolutely delighted.

Beaten again! Slower one, into the pitch and over off stump. Bethell looks to swivel and pull but is undone by the lack of pace.

Slower one, on a good length and outside off at 113 kph. Bethell makes room early to cut but misses.

FOUR! Eye-catching stroke from Bethell. Hard length on middle and leg, JB keeps the front leg out of the way and plays a short-arm jab in front of mid-wicket and the ball flies to the fence.

Hard length around off and middle, Salt stabs it without much timing towards mid off and picks up a single.

Excellent running. Slower one on the pads, Salt says back and nudges it with soft hands through square leg before racing back for the second run.

Beats the bat again, does Pathirana and nearly gets a wicket as well. Full and just outside off, it is the slower ball but Pathirana disguises it well. Jacob Bethell looks to straight drive but the ball dips under the bat and goes through.

Full and quick, wide outside off. JB stays leg side of the ball and looks to drive but is beaten again. Just the boundary off the first ball, after that it's been all Pathirana.

Dug in short now over leg stump and angles it just down leg. Bethell ducks under it but no wide is called. That was bowled at 147 kph again.

Full again, at 147 kph and outside off. Bethell looks to reach out and cover drive but is well beaten.

Geez, that's a top delivery. Not much of an appeal from the bowler or the keeper for LBW but skipper Dasun Shanaka feels this might have hit the pads first. He takes the review. Full and straight from Matheesha Pathirana, swings back into the toes at 145 kph. Jacob Bethell is taken aback but manages to jam the bat down in time and keep it out. Replays confirm that the ball went off the face of the bat and Sri Lanka throw away a review. NOT OUT!

FOUR! Oh, glorious timing from Bethell. On a good length and in the channel, JB lets the ball come on and pushes it on the up, using the pace to find the gap at point and picks up the boundary as well.

Full of a length and wide outside off, Bethell goes on one knee and slaps it down to deep point for a single.

Jacob Bethell walks out at 3 for England.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Eshan Malinga has the last laugh here and Jos Buttler has to walk back. Slower one, pitched up fuller and on middle. Buttler steps out to swing across the line but the ball dips and beats him all ends up. The ball crashes into the stumps and Buttler walks back after making 17 off 10 balls.

FOUR! Another one and England are running away with it. A high full toss, shaping away from off. Buttler just walks down the pitch and slaps it up and over cover-point for four more runs. It is deemed a fair delivery as well.

FOUR! A hat-trick of boundaries for Buttler now. Slower one, full and on leg stump. Jos Buttler clips the half-volley firmly and gets it wide of mid on for a boundary.

FOUR! Edged but there's no first slip in place. Hard length on off, swinging away. Jos gets an outside edge as he looks to punch but the fielder is at fly slip. The ball goes wide of the keeper and runs away into the deep third fence.

FOUR! That's gone like a tracer bullet. Overpitched around off, swinging away. Jos Buttler stands tall and laces the cover-punch through the gap and the ball flies to the fence.

Just one over for Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga replaces him in the attack.

Slower one, on a good length and on off. Phil Salt opts to just block it off.

Hard length outside off, Buttler presses back and glides it down to deep backward point for one. He's off the mark now.

WIDE. On a good length, wide outside off and shaping further away, Left alone by JB.

Oh, that's extremely well done by the keeper. The ball slips out of Pathirana's hand and he ends up serving a curve ball around the top of the stumps. Buttler is taken aback as the ball shapes away and in lands just in front of the keeper. Kusal Mendis does well to pouch it.

This is fiery stuff from Pathirana. Full and straight, right in the blockhole. Buttler just about manages to keep it out.

FOUR LEG BYES! Unlucky for the bowler. Good-length delivery at 148 kph, nips away from middle. Jos Buttler gets squared up and the ball flicks the thigh pad and runs down to the left of the first slip fielder and into the deep third fence.

Beaten straightaway! Full and around off, swinging away. Buttler's feet go nowhere as he looks to cover drive and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Matheesha Pathirana will be bowling from the other end.

Ends the over well, does Theekshana. Flatter one, on a good length and around off. Salt rocks back and punches it to short cover. 14 off the first over.

Fired in around off, darting back in, Salt jams it out again towards mid off.

Better from Theekshana. Full and around off, straighter one. Salt pushes it to mid off.

FOUR! 14 off the first 3 balls of the chase, Salt doesn't need to get his eye in. Full and darted down leg, Salt tickles it fine and the ball beats the short fine leg fielder, running away to the fence.

FOUR! The quicker it comes, the better it is skidding onto the bat at the moment. The inswinger, fired in just outside off. Salt camps back and gets his hands through the line, smacking it through the gap at covers for a boundary.

SIX! Wow, what a start, what a hit! Shortish length to begin with from Theekshana, drifting into the pads. Phil Salt rocks back and flat-bats the pull to the right of deep square leg for a six.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Done and dusted! Jamie Overton goes back to bowling pace-on and angles in a length ball towards the leg pole. Wanindu Hasaranga makes a bit of room leg side to repeat the lofted drive from the last ball but is well beaten. The ball castles into the stumps and sends the leg stump knocking out of the ground. Sri Lanka are bowled out for 133 in 16.2 overs.

FOUR! Nearly went the distance. Slower one, on a good length and around off. Wanindu Hasaranga backs away and lofts it nicely over mid off for a boundary.

HATTRICK FOR CURRAN! Eshan Malinga walks out last to bat for Sri Lanka.

OUT! TIMBER! Take a bow, Sam Curran! A deadly accurate yorker and Curran becomes the second English bowler to take a hat-trick in T20Is. Curran comes around the wicket to Matheesha Pathirana and jams in a perfect yorker towards the middle stump. Pathirana puts up a meek defence as he puts the bat down but it is already too late. The ball sneaks past the willow and makes a mess of the stumps. What a moment for Curran.

After giving away 35 off his first 2 overs, Sam Curran is now on a hat-trick. Matheesha Pathirana walks out to face the hat-trick delivery.

OUT! CAUGHT! That's a nothing shot from Maheesh Theekshana and Sam Curran is on a hat-trick. Curran pitches the ball fuller and around middle. Theekshana clears the front leg and simply chips the ball down to long on. Jamie Overton doesn't have to move an inch and takes the catch with ease. A golden duck for Theekshana.

Maheesh Theekshana is the next batter out in the middle for Sri Lanka.

OUT! CAUGHT! Excellent comeback over from Sam Curran. Curran goes full and wide again and takes some pace off the ball as well. Dasun Shanaka hangs back and reaches out, looking to power it over mid off. However, he doesn't get the desired elevation and Harry Brook snaffles it around face height. Shanaka departs for 20 (16) and Curran gets a wicket to his name.

Wanindu Hasaranga had given up there. Full and wide outside off, Hasaranga hits it firmly to mid off and the batters set off for the single. Harry Brook picks it up and fires it in at the bowler's end with Wanindu nowhere in the picture. Thankfully for him, Brook misses the direct hit and the single is completed.

Attempted yorker on leg, ends up being a very low full toss. Shanaka clears the front leg to slog but misses. The ball clips the pad and rolls to short third for a leg bye.

Good running. Full and at the toes, Dasun Shanaka jams it out wide of the fielder at deep square leg and this time the batters do hurry back for the second run.

Oh, hesitation in the middle from the batters and a better throw could have had Hasaranga in trouble. Slower one, back of a length and Shanaka slogs it away wide of deep mid-wicket. The batters complete a single and look for two but Phil Salt is quick to run around to his left and Shanaka opts against the second run. However, Hasaranga is halfway down the pitch and scurries back as the throw at the keeper's end is a wide one.

Fuller in length and wide outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga reaches out and drives it to deep cover for a single.

Slower delivery, full and straight at the stumps. Shanaka walks inside the line and heaves it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Another one that is bowled shorter, around off stump. Dasun looks to back away and cut but misses.

A typical fast bowler's response from Archer. Banged in short over middle at 144 kph, this one flies through around head height. Shanaka sways away from the line of the ball.

SIX! Oh, that is a clean strike from Dasun Shanaka and even Jofra Archer seems impressed. A leg cutter, back of a length and over leg. Shanaka backs away and tees off, swinging it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Liam Dawson is bowled out. Will it be Jofra Archer or Sam Curran to bowl the 15th over? It is Archer.

Jamie nails the wide yorker, outside off. Wanindu Hasaranga looks to slice to towards backward point region but misses.

FOUR! This was much-needed for Lanka at this moment. Short and wide of off, Wanindu Hasaranga steps down and away and slaps this over extra cover for a boundary.

A teaser for Sam Curran running in from deep square leg. Short and into the batter, Dasun Shanaka mistimes the pull and ends up hitting this just short of Curran for a single.

Good length wide outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga punches this to deep point for a single.

Full and wide of off, Wanindu Hasaranga punches this to extra cover.

Short and wide of off, Wanindu Hasaranga arches back and looks to play the upper-cut but misses out.

Jamie Overton (1-0-7-1) is back on.

Tossed up, around middle and off, Wanindu Hasaranga flicks this through mid-wicket and takes a run. Wanindu will be on strike at the start of the next over.

Quicker one, around off, Dasun Shanaka rolls this to sweeper cover and jogs to the other end.

SIX! Liam Dawson errs in length just a bit and Dasun Shanaka makes him pay. Short and on middle and off, Dasun Shanaka rocks deep inside the crease and slogs this over the fielder at deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Fired around off, Wanindu Hasaranga drives this to short cover and a fumble from the fielder allows a single.

Darted into the batter, Dasun Shanaka rocks back and tucks this through mid-wicket for a strike rotation.

Quicker and flatter around off, Dasun Shanaka punches this to extra cover for no run.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Dasun Shanaka tucks this through square leg for a single.

Quicker one, on off, Wanindu Hasaranga rocks back and punches this to long on for one.

Sri Lanka are losing the plot with the bat and out walks another new batter. It is Wanindu Hasaranga, in at number 8.

OUT! CAUGHT! DDS throws in the towel. Flighted fuller one, around middle and off, turning away from the batter. Dhananjaya de Silva goes down on a knee and looks for the conventional sweep in the gap to the left of deep square leg but ends up top-edging this to deep square leg. Sam Curran settles underneath and holds onto it.

Slider, around off, DDS hops back and looks to block but gets beaten again. Something has got to give on the next ball, it seems.

Fired on off, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to swing at it but misses out.

Full and on off, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes this to short cover.

Quicker around middle and leg, Dasun Shanaka looks to tuck this around mid-wicket but gets his bat face closed early and the ball lobs short of covers.

Quicker one, on the pads, Dasun Shanaka tucks this to the bowler's right for no run.

The Sri Lankan captain is the next batter in. Dasun Shanaka walks out to bat at number 7.

OUT! LBW! An excellent review from the English skipper, Harry Brook and Janith Liyanage has been trapped in front of the stumps. Drifted into the stumps, on middle and leg from Liam Dawson. Janith rocks back and looks to block but gets hurried on and he is beaten on the inside edge. The ball hits JL on the pds and a loud appeal comes in from the visiting side. The umpire doesn't raise his finger and Brook, after consultation with the bowler, keeper and others send this upstairs. Three dots on the Ball Tracking with the ball smashing the middle stump force the umpire to change his on-field decision of not out to OUT.

Darted on off, Dhananjaya de Silva guides this to short third for a run.

Almost a stunner from Jacob Bethell, it was more like Glenn Phillips. Floated wide of off, Dhananjaya de Silva leans back and slices this in front of Jacob Bethell at the sweeper cover region. Jacob Bethell runs in from the fence and puts in a swimmer's dive to grab hold of it but only manages to get fingertips on it. The ball goes past JB for a couple.

FOUR! Fortunate boundary for DDS. De Silva shimmies down the track before Dawson releases the ball and Liam is clever enough to fire this into the batter. Dhananjaya de Silva slashes at it with hard hands and gets it edged off the inside with the ball missing the leg-pole and racing to the fine leg fence for four.

Floated up on middle and leg, DDS sits down and sweeps it firmly to deep square leg for a single.

Fired in at the stumps, Janith Liyanage ends up jamming it through the mid-wicket region for a single.

With the home side 4 down for 89, Janith Liyanage walks out next to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and the set batter has to walk back. Nicely tossed up by Adil Rashid, around middle and leg. Kusal Mendis comes down the pitch and lifts it straight down the throat of the long on fielder. Jamie Overton gobbles it up in the deep and Mendis has to walk back after showing so much promise. He departs for 37 (20).

FOUR! Nicely played. Flatter one at the stumps, Kusal Mendis sits down and nails the sweep between deep backward square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

A flighted googly, full and wide outside off. Dhananjaya de Silva looks to loft it over cover but gets it off the inner half of the balde to long on for one.

Loopy delivery at the stumps, nudged away through mid-wicket for a single.

Good length, sliding on with the arm into the pads. Dhananjaya de Silva stays leg side of the ball and ends up playing all around it. The ball pings him on the pads.

Quicker one, fired in at 96 kph and the ball skids through. Mendis hangs back and manages to jam it out in front of square on the leg side for another single.

Floated up around middle, angling in, Dhananjaya de Silva backs away to drive through covers but ends up miscuing it towards long on for one more.

Flatter one, drifted into middle and leg. Mendis stays back to tuck it away but gets it off the leading edge towards cover. Another single.

Drifted into the legs, Dhananjaya de Silva clips it off the pads and gets it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva walks out to replace Charith Asalanka in the middle.

OUT! TAKEN! Fine catch in the deep from Jacob Bethell and Sri Lanka lose two quick wickets. Flighted ball from Liam Dawson, full and around off. Asalanka goes down on one knee and looks to slog it straighter. He ends up dragging it towards cow corner. Bethell runs to is right from deep mid-wicket and puts in a horizontal dive and pouches it brilliantly. Asalanka walks back for just 2 (5).

Tossed up outside off, Asalanka sits down and drags the sweep behind square leg for a single.

Flatter delivery on leg, Charith Asalanka hops back to defend.

Flatter delivery on middle, Mendis sits down and sweeps it down through square leg for a single.

Tossed up at the stumps, Charith Asalanka advances and chips the flick shot wide of long on for a single.

Asalanka is in for the Lankans now. This is bowled flatter and angled across off, Asalanka pushes at it but gets beaten.

OUT! CAUGHT! Lovely flight from Adil Rashid and he gets the second wicket for England. Tossed up, fuller and outside off, turning away. Pathum Nissanka sits down and looks for the slog sweep but mistimes it badly. The ball gets sliced up in the air and lands around the silly point region. The keeper, Jos Buttler, settles under it and takes a simple catch. Sri Lanka are 76/2. To replace Pathum, out walks Charith Asalanka.

With Sam having gone for plenty, we might see some spin from Will Jacks covering for Sam.

WIDE! Straighter one, bowled from the front of the hand and pushed beyond the tramline outside off. Left alone by Nissanka.

Sam Curran might not be recalled into action for some time, it seems. 15 off his first over and 20 off his second.

SIX! Sails all the way! Slower one from Curran, at just 81 kph. This is full and around middle, Kusal Mendis lunges and keeps his shape before lofting it back over the bowler's head for a maximum. The 50-run stand is also up between these two.

Slower one, full and outside off, Mendis reaches for it and strokes it straight to the cover fielder.

SIX! Even better this time from Kusal Mendis. Dug in short over off and middle, Mendis picks the length early, gets inside the line and muscles the pull over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. 14 off the over already.

FOUR! In the gap. Hard length on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis stays low again and picks it up, heaving it well wide of long on for another boundary.

Smartly bowled. Curran sees Mendis backing away and pushes the length ball well wide of the off stump. Mendis is unable to reach it and no wide is called either.

FOUR! Down the wrong line again from Curran. Fullish length on leg, Mendis gets low and flicks it off the toe end of the blade and down to fine leg for a boundary.

Sam Curran (1-0-15-0) has been called back into the attack. He had a poor start with the ball and was expensive.

Bowled flat on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis sits down and sweeps it in front of square leg for a run. Just five singles off Rashid's first over.

Fuller this time and outside off, Nissanka drills the drive to the left of long off and turns the strike over.

Shorter in length this time, Mendis rocks back to pull but mistimes it down to long for another single.

Dragged length on middle, Nissanka rocks back and tucks it through square leg for a run.

Flighted delivery, on a dragged length around off. Nissanka reaches for it and smothers it towards extra cover.

End of the Powerplay. As per the revised conditions, the PP was bound to be of 5.1 overs and Sri Lanka have scored 51 in that period of play. Kamil Mishara gave the Lankans a rapid start, and Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have paced the innings well so far.

A single to end the revised Powerplay and Sri Lanka are 51/1. Floated up on the pads, Mendis leans on and nudges it in front of square leg for a single.

Adil Rashid is now into the attack, so spin from both ends.

Darted on off, Pathum Nissanka cuts this to point for a dot.

SIX! 50 comes up for Sri Lanka. Tossed up, around off, Pathum Nissanka shimmies down the track, gets right on top of the bounce and smashes this up and over the fence towards the long off region for a huge six.

Floated on the pads, Pathum Nissanka rolls this to mid on for no run.

FOUR! Fired around off, Pathum Nissanka uses the depth of the crease, goes back and cuts this off the toe-end of his bat through the gap wide of short third for four runs.

FOUR BYES! Unfortunate for the visitors. Arm delivery from Liam Dawson, around leg. Pathum Nissanka looks to play the switch hit but misses completely. The ball kisses the side of the stumps with the bails not falling and the ball races to the fence behind the stumps for four byes.

Drifts one in around middle and leg and turns this away from the batter. Pathum Nissanka rocks deep inside the crease and looks to flick but gets it edged to short cover.

Time for spin. Liam Dawson has now been tossed the ball.

On a length around off, Kusal slices this beyond extra cover for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Yet again, width on offer from Jofra and this time, Kusal Mendis doesn't spare him. Short and wide outside off, Kusal Mendis hangs onto his back foot, plays this late and cuts this square past point to his right for four more.

Back of a length around off, Pathum Nissanka looks to drag this from outside off to mid-wicket with a pull but misses and gets it edged onto the pads and the ball rolls to covers with the batters completing a run.

FOUR! A little bit of width on offer and Pathum Nissanka latches onto it. Short and wide outside off, Pathum Nissanka steps down and backs away, slapping it over extra cover for a boundary.

Multiple appeals from Jofra Archer for LBW but the umpire stays firm to his decision of not out and the English outfit doesn't opt to challenge the decision. Good length around off, Kusal Mendis steps a long way across and goes for the favoured ramp again but misses with the bat and gets it tucked off the thigh pad to short fine.

Yorker, on off, Pathum Nissanka jams this out around cover-point.

Short and into the batter, Kusal Mendis hops up on his toes and nudges this to mid-wicket for another dot. End of a successful over for England as Jamie Overton gets the wicket of Kamil Mishara and leaks just 7 off it.

Not a wide this time. Good length around leg, Kusal Perera steps inside and looks to ramp this one but misses. The ball goes inside the guide line next to the stump to Kusal's leg and the umpire calls it a fair delivery.

Hard length on top of off, Kusal Mendis rocks onto his back foot and thumps this crisply to covers for a dot.

WIDE! Jamie Overton errs in line and bowls this down the leg side. Wided.

The next batter is in. Kusal Mendis walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Liam Dawson doesn't drop this and sends Kamil Mishara back after taking a regulation catch. Around that nagging length on top of off, not that short to be pulled from the southpaw. Kamil Mishara still goes through with the pull but miscues it. The ball hangs over Liam Dawson at short mid-wicket and he makes no mistake and holds onto this dolly. Kamil Mishara departs for 16 (9).

Good length around off, Kamil Mishara fends this to mid-wicket.

SIX! Thumped out of the park from Kamil. On a length around middle and off, Kamil Mishara stays leg side to it and swings at it. Connects from the middle of his bat and lands this on the other side of the ropes towards the long on region for six.

Early bowling change for England. Jamie Overton comes in to replace Sam Curran.

Back of a length around off, Pathum Nissanka punches this to point. Excellent from Jofra Archer as he leaks just 2 off this over.

Call it a drop or an excellent effort, both would be correct for this. On a length around the pads, Kamil Mishara looks to flick this over mid-wicket but the bat of Kamil tilts in his hands at the time of contact with the ball. Liam Dawson, patrolling that region, puts in a goalkeeper kind of effort with a jump to his right and tries to grab it, but fails to get both hands at it and the ball deflects behind him for one.

Good length, around middle and leg, cramping the batter to free his arms. Kamil Mishara moves away from the stumps and pushes this to cover-point.

Hard length, going across the batter around his off-stump. Kamil Mishara looks to punch this on the up but misses out.

On a length wide outside off, Pathum Nissanka drives this to extra cover and takes a single.

Yorker, bang on the roots of the off-pole. Pathum Nissanka does well to bring his bat down in time and block this out.

Jofra Archer to steam in from the other end.

FOUR! A 16 run over to start the contest. Back of a length around off, shaping a shade away from the left-hander. Kamil Mishara rides the bounce, gets right on top of it and punches this in the gap through the covers region for a boundary to end the over.

How much will the extra ball cost Sam Curran and England?

WIDE! Sam will need to reload as he bowls one down the leg. Wided.

Hard length around off, going away from the stumps. Pathum Nissanka hangs onto his back foot and cuts this through point for a single.

FOUR! Just like his partner Kamil, Pathum is off the mark with a boundary. A little bit of width on offer as Sam Curran bowls this on a length and wide of off, angling further away from the batter. Pathum Nissanka strides towards the pitch of the ball and drives this in the gap through extra cover region for a boundary.

Good length wide of off, Kamil Mishara strides on top of the bounce and drives this all along the ground through the covers region for a run this time.

FOUR! That's an excellent start for the southpaw. Pitched up, around middle and off. Sam Curran was looking for the away swing on this occasion. Kamil Mishara gets right behind the line of it and flicks this in the gap towards the right of mid-wicket for a boundary.

LEG BYE! We are underway in Kandy with an extra. Good length, around middle and leg, shaping back into the batter. Pathum Nissanka looks to tuck this off his back foot but misses and gets thud on the thigh pads. The ball deflects in front of cover-point and the batters run a leg bye.

We are all set for the game to begin. The umpires are out in the middle and so are the players of England. It will be the duo of Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka to open the innings for Sri Lanka. Sam Curran will get proceedings underway with the ball here. Let's go...

Dasun Shanaka, the captain of Sri Lanka - Dasun expressed his satisfaction with the team's handling of recent challenges and his own return to leadership. He highlighted the team's consistent performance over the past few months and emphasized the importance of execution across batting, bowling, and fielding for future tournaments. Shanaka noted the current lineup is largely consistent with the one that played against Pakistan recently and confirmed that Dushmantha Chameera was rested for the day as a precautionary measure due to a minor niggle, given the approaching World Cup.

Harry Brook, the captain of England - Brook says that the pitch looks good and hopefully they can pick up early wickets and set the tone. Adds that the team is looking really good and they want to take it one game at a time and stay in the moment. Informs that everyone is raring to go under the lights.

England (Playing XI) - Phil Salt (WK), Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, and Adil Rashid.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, and Eshan Malinga.

TOSS - England have won and they'll be bowling first.

UPDATE - 2.41 pm GMT - We have great news, folks! Toss is scheduled to take place at 2.55 pm GMT and the match is scheduled to begin at 3.10 pm GMT. We are hearing that it will be a 17-over-a-side game, but we will confirm once we get the official news. Stay tuned.

UPDATE - 2.14 pm GMT - Finally, some positive news from the ground. It seems like the covers are starting to come off in Pallekelle. Let's hope that we get some more concrete news about a toss and start time soon. Stay tuned.

UPDATE - 2.07 pm GMT - Not much of an update from Pallekelle but according to a few sources, things are starting to look better. There's still plenty of time left, but as usual, the ground staff in Sri Lanka have a big job on their hands, if and when the drizzle stops completely. Stick around for further updates.

Young guns gunning for glory - In other news, the race for the semi-finals in the ICC Under-19 World Cup is heating up. Afghanistan are looking on course to seal a semi-final berth in their game against Ireland. Also, New Zealand are fighting hard against England as they look to chase down 235 runs. If the Kiwis win, that will keep Pakistan in the mix for the semis as well, but if England win, they will seal their spot in the last four. While the wait continues here, you can switch tabs and keep an eye on those two contests.

UPDATE - 1.34 pm GMT - The live visuals suggest that the rain is back and it is a constant drizzle. The entire outfield is now covered back up, not the update the fans or the teams wanted. Fingers crossed for now. Stay tuned.

UPDATE - 1.20 pm GMT - Well, it seems like we are in for a longer delay than initially expected. According to a few sources, the covers are coming back on, but it isn't quite raining. Probably a light drizzle and the ground staff are just taking precautions. Let's hope for the best. Stick around for more updates.

TOSS DELAYED - Seems like there is no rain at the moment but the ground staff are doing the mop-up job. According to a few sources, the toss is pushed back by 15 minutes. It is now scheduled to take place at 1.15 pm GMT and the start of the game might be delayed by 15 minutes as well. Stay tuned for the latest news.

A high-stakes encounter - Expect a competitive series where England's power-hitting will clash with Sri Lanka's spin dominance. The series is critical for both teams to finalize their strategies and playing XIs, making each match a high-stakes encounter. Fans can anticipate an exciting contest as both sides push for a morale-boosting series win to carry momentum into the T20 World Cup. There's been a lot of rain around but the forecast is promising and is expected to be clear as we head closer to the start of the action in Kandy. Toss and team updates in a bit.

Sri Lanka's home ground connection - Dasun Shanaka will lead a home side looking to address recent inconsistencies in the format, having won only two of their last five completed T20Is. This series is an ideal opportunity for the Lankan Lions to fix their issues and build confidence in familiar conditions before the global tournament. Their squad boasts a mix of experienced players and exciting talents like Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana, who will be key to countering England's formidable batting attack with a spin-heavy strategy.

England's quest for a third title! Under the leadership of Harry Brook, England, the two-time T20 champions, are in strong form. The squad, featuring a potent batting line-up with the likes of Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, and Ben Duckett, will use this series as a dress rehearsal to fine-tune their combinations and adapt to the local pitches. Key players like the Salt and the returning pacer Jofra Archer, and the all-round abilities of Sam Curran are expected to play pivotal roles as England seeks to be well prepared before having a go at their third T20 World Cup title.

Final World Cup tune-up - The three-match T20I series between Sri Lanka and England, starting today, serves as the final and crucial preparation for both sides ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will co-host. All three T20Is will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, offering England vital experience in subcontinental conditions.

... MATCHDAY ...

T20 World Cup 2026 countdown begins - From a gripping ODI series, the spotlight now shifts to the shortest format as the final dress rehearsal for the upcoming T20 World Cup gets underway. Sri Lanka host England in a three-match T20I series, with all games set to be played at the picturesque Pallekele International Cricket Stadium over the course of a week. After suffering a 2-1 ODI series defeat to the visitors, the Islanders will be eager to hit back, breathing fire and determined to make a statement before the world turns its attention to the global stage. Sri Lanka’s long road back in T20Is - Sri Lanka may have been rock-solid at home in ODIs over the past few years, but their T20I record tells a very different story. In their last six T20I series, they have managed just two wins - one against West Indies and their most recent against Zimbabwe last year. Against England, it’s been even harsher. Since 2014, they have failed to win a single match in any bilateral clash, including a 3-0 whitewash in England in 2021. Their World Cup record only adds to the pressure. Since their title triumph in 2014, they haven’t reached the knockouts once, including a group-stage exit in the 2024 edition. Sitting 8th in the ICC T20I rankings, Sri Lanka head into this series with a mountain to climb and a clear statement to make in the shortest format. England’s engine is chugging along - Unlike the hosts, England have been cruising along quite nicely in this format, claiming victory in four of their last seven T20I bilaterals. That tally includes a series loss to India and series draws against Australia and South Africa since the last World Cup. They are placed third in the T20I rankings and have made constant appearances in the semis, including a title in 2022 as well. Now, arriving in Sri Lanka for their first T20I series here since 2018, this marks England’s first-ever three-match series in this part of the world, making it a truly special occasion. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, most recent first) - Sri Lanka - WLLWW | England - WWWWL. Squad tweaks - Who’s in, who’s out? Sri Lanka enters this series under new leadership, with Dasun Shanaka handed the captain’s armband. His first assignment was against Pakistan, which ended in a 1-1 split. Now, facing a buoyant England team, Shanaka and his players face a tough challenge, testing themselves against one of T20 cricket’s most consistent sides. The squad is largely unchanged, with Pavan Rathnayake earning a spot following his heroics in the third ODI, while key players Nuwan Thushara and Kamindu Mendis miss out. England, led by Harry Brook, have made subtle tweaks ahead of the spin-friendly Sri Lankan tracks. Injured Zak Crawley makes way for Ben Duckett at the top of the order, and Josh Tongue gets a go ahead following his impressive Ashes stints with the ball. He has been added to bolster the pace attack. Notable omission include Jordan Cox, signaling a balance between experience and conditions-focused adjustments. Sri Lanka’s batting under microscope - Sri Lanka will rely on Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka at the top, but both will face stern tests of form. Mendis has been inconsistent, swinging between flashes of brilliance and lean patches, while Nissanka has managed just one 20-plus score since the last Asia Cup, his standout being a 98 against Zimbabwe. The middle order features experienced campaigners like Kusal Perera, former skipper Asalanka, Shanaka himself, and Dhananjaya de Silva, bringing stability and firepower. In the all-rounders’ department, youngsters Dunith Wellalage and Janith Liyanage possess the knack to finish games and also pose genuine spin bowling options alongside Hasaranga and Theekshana. Pace-wise, Dushmantha Chameera spearheads the group with constants in the form of Matheesha Pathirana and Eshan Malinga. Momentum, muscle, and spin in England stocks - The recent success in ODIs has given England plenty of confidence, so they will take the field in the first T20I with the same momentum. Their formidable batting lineup poses a serious challenge for Sri Lanka, with Phil Salt in red-hot form, with three 80-plus scores in his last five innings, including a blistering 141 against South Africa. Skipper Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, and others have the firepower to dismantle bowling attacks, though Pallekele’s conditions will demand improvisation and smart shot-making. Talking about the bowling department, the specialist spinners of England are fully capable of troubling Sri Lankan batters on their home turf. The experienced Adil Rashid will be the main striker for England, as he will enjoy the spinning conditions at Pallekele and has been presented constant threat with his leg spin of late. Alongside him, England will rely on Liam Dawson to control the middle overs. Both of these players have loads of T20 cricket experience, so England will bank on their performances, with genuine all-rounders Jacks and Rehan Ahmed providing more spin options in the armory. Up front, Brydon Carse spearheads the pace attack alongside Luke Wood and Tongue, while in-form Sam Curran and Jamie Overton bring the pace punch and variety, rounding out a balanced attack ready to dominate on any surface.