On Friday, January 30, the cricket world stood in collective awe Sam Curran etched his name in the history books during the series’ debut between England And Sri Lanka. In the rain-interrupted first T20I at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Curran turned a high-pressure situation into a masterclass of death bowling. With the floodlights flashing on the damp surface, the left-arm pacer demolished the Sri Lankan team with a clinical hat-trick, leaving local fans stunned and social media abuzz.
With the match reduced to 17 overs per side due to persistent tropical rain, it initially looked like it might slip away from England as Sri Lanka’s top order faltered. However, the story changed dramatically in the 16th over. Curran, who had been expensive in his first spell, found his rhythm just in time harry brook He was needed most. His triple-strike not only halted the “Lions’ momentum but also cemented his reputation as one of the highest performers in the shortest format of the game.
Sam Curran’s sensational hat-trick stuns Sri Lanka in the first T20 match
Entering the 15.4 over mark, Sri Lanka were looking to mount a final attack at 129/6. Dasun ShanakaJoe looked dangerous with some sky-scraping sixes, attempting to slap a length ball over mid-off. However, the timing was not right and the ball went into the safe hands of Brook. The very next ball (15.5) was seen Mahesh Theekshana Attempt a wild hoik for a full delivery, only to be pulled out. jamie overton On long-on.
Tension was palpable in Pallekele Mathisha Pathirana Hattrick came out to face the ball. Coming from around the wicket, Curran bowled an accurate ball, targeting middle and the base of the off stump. Pathirana was beaten for pace and swing, losing his stumps’ neck and crop. Curran’s trademark celebration, outstretched arms tell the story. He became only the second Englishman to claim a T20I hat-trick, finishing the over with remarkable figures of 3 for 38 after starting with 0 for 35 after the first 2 overs.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Sam Curran took a hat-trick in the T20 match against Sri Lanka. 🔥#samcurran #ausvssl #ausopen #curran #crickettwitter #ENGvsSL pic.twitter.com/IL3ZYwyaDm
– I am Vishal (@Vishalrajpatna) 30 January 2026
🚨Sam Curran’s hat-trick in T20I against Sri Lanka 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Dk3IPq1pyo
– Annu🦋🦋 (@Miss_annu008) 30 January 2026
Sam Curran took a hat-trick in the T20 match against Sri Lanka
– Incredible by Sam Curran 🥶pic.twitter.com/ko1IAsFGMX
– Cricket Central (@CricketCentral) 30 January 2026
Sam Curran took a hat-trick in the T20 match against Sri Lanka 🔥
-Dheeraj (@Dheeraj01_) 30 January 2026
knock knock 🔥🔥
Hat trick by Sam Curran #SLvENG #t20i https://t.co/wq5RMgYEpu
– Cricket Mindset (@CricketMindset) 30 January 2026
Sam Curran is the second English bowler to take a hat-trick in T20Is for England. @englandcricket #SamCurran #SLvENG #england #crickettwitter pic.twitter.com/n2V3CPSmwW
– The_Cricket_Web (@the_cricket_web) 30 January 2026
🚨History of Sam Curran🚨
– Sam Curran has become the second player in history to take a hat-trick in T20Is for England. 😱
– Shanaka is received, Dikshana is received, Pathirana is received. pic.twitter.com/50cHYbKaZP
– Chetana Meena (@ChetanaMee17662) 30 January 2026
Sam Curran – Hat-Trick Heropic.twitter.com/otQCRhFJwh
– Arshi (@imArshit) 30 January 2026
Shanaka ❌
initiation ❌
Stone ❌Sam Curran becomes the second man to take a hat-trick for England in T20Is! 🔥 #SLvENG pic.twitter.com/YTTnFmajXT
– Nadhvi Irfan (@nadhvi_irfan) 30 January 2026
Sam Curran’s history, he is the second bowler of a hat-trick in England’s T20I history.
– Dasun Shanaka gets
-Mahesh meets Theekshana.
– Mathisha Pathirana gets pic.twitter.com/6GBtUI2Me8– CricPal (@AnupPalAgt) 30 January 2026
England’s disciplined bowling reduced Sri Lanka to a low score
While Curran’s hat-trick provided the final blow, the foundation of England’s dominance was laid much earlier by the spin pair adil rashid And Liam Dawson. Despite a fast start Kusal Mendis (20 out of 37) and Pathum Nissanka (23 off 20) Sri Lanka scored 50 runs in just 4.5 overs, with the English bowlers maintaining their composure. Rashid was particularly stingy, strangling the middle order and taking 3 for 19 from his four overs.
The Sri Lankan innings collapsed to 133 runs in 16.2 overs, a score that seemed quite low considering the lightning-fast start. Main wickets fell at regular intervals: charit asalanka fell to Dawson for 5 runs, and Dhananjay de Silva Just as he was trying to settle down, Rashid dismissed him. The lower order offered little resistance against Overton’s pace and Curran’s late-innings heroics.
