Sri Lanka’s bold batting display under lights at Pallekele was undone by rain and England’s composure as the visitors clinched the second T20I by six wickets via the DLS method, sealing the three-match series 2–0 on Sunday.
Put in to bat on a typically placid Kandy surface, Sri Lanka posted an imposing 189 for 5 — a total that, on most nights, would be more than competitive. The innings was built on intent rather than caution, with the hosts attacking England’s varied bowling from the outset and maintaining momentum through the middle overs.
Pathum Nissanka set the tone with a brisk 34 off 22 balls, peppering the off side before falling to Jofra Archer’s extra pace. Kamil Mishara provided stability with a well-paced 36, but it was the middle-order burst that truly lifted Sri Lanka. Kusal Mendis blazed 32 from just 17 deliveries, striking at close to 190, while Pavan Rathnayake continued his impressive emergence with a powerful 40 off 22 balls, mixing timing with muscle.
Charith Asalanka ensured the innings finished strongly, remaining unbeaten on 28, as Sri Lanka plundered boundaries late to reach a run rate of 9.45. England’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Archer, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid each picking up wickets, but none were able to fully stem the flow.
England’s reply, however, was shaped as much by the skies as by the bat. Early breakthroughs — including Phil Salt’s dismissal in the first over — gave Sri Lanka hope, but Jos Buttler’s measured 39 steadied the innings during a rain interruption that would ultimately tilt the contest.
With the target revised to 168 from 17 overs, England emerged from the delay with clarity and calm. Tom Banton anchored the chase superbly, producing a mature unbeaten 54 from 33 balls, while Harry Brook delivered the decisive blow. Brook’s 36 off just 12 balls was a stunning exhibition of modern T20 batting, his strike rate of 300 draining belief from the Sri Lankan camp in a matter of minutes.
Despite Matheesha Pathirana accounting for Brook and earlier removing Salt, Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled to apply sustained pressure. Wanindu Hasaranga went wicketless and conceded heavily, while England smartly targeted shorter boundaries and match-ups as the asking rate climbed.
Sam Curran’s unbeaten 20 ensured there were no late stumbles, England getting home with two balls to spare and underlining their growing authority in white-ball cricket. For Sri Lanka, the defeat was a familiar tale: promising moments, competitive totals, but an inability to control key phases — particularly after interruptions.
As England celebrate another series win on Asian soil, Sri Lanka are left with both encouragement and concern. The batting showed spark and depth, yet the margin for error at this level remains unforgiving — especially when rain, equations and ruthless opponents enter the frame.
Chief Scores:
Sri Lanka – 189/5 (20 overs)
Pavan Rathnayake 40 (22)
Kamil Mishara 36 (30)
Pathum Nissanka 34 (22)
Kusal Mendis 32 (17)
Charith Asalanka 28* (22)
Bowling:
Jofra Archer 2/42
Will Jacks 1/24
Liam Dawson 1/32
Adil Rashid 1/25
England – 173/4 (16.4 overs, DLS target 168)
Tom Banton 54* (33)
Jos Buttler 39 (29)
Harry Brook 36 (12)
Sam Curran 20* (14)
Bowling:
Matheesha Pathirana 2/47
Dasun Shanaka 1/24
Dunith Wellalage 1/30
Result: England won by 6 wickets (DLS)
Series: England lead 2–0
