England Making a great start to the three-match T20 series, they won by 11 runs. Sri Lanka Through the DLS method in the rain-affected opener on Friday. In a competition repeatedly interrupted by weather, the visitors kept their composure at crucial stages Sam Curran Created history with a brilliant hat-trick Phil Salt Providing quiet authority on top during the chase. The result gave England a 1–0 lead over Sri Lanka in the condensed series.
Sri Lanka’s good start ruined due to spin pressure
Persistent rain reduced the match to 17 overs per team, with England electing to bowl first, a decision that initially looked risky. Sri Lankan openers came out with intentions Kusal Mendis Played a stormy inning of 37 runs in 20 balls. Pathum Nissanka Tej contributed 23 runs in the same number of deliveries. The pair made the most of the new ball as they took the hosts to 75/1 after seven overs and threatened to post a challenging total despite the shorter format.
The momentum changed rapidly as England turned to spin. adil rashid Whereas, apply brakes with probing spell of 3/19 Liam Dawson Complemented them with 2/31. The middle overs became difficult for the Sri Lankan batsmen, as wickets kept falling at regular intervals and boundary options ran out.
Sam Curran’s magical over rewrites the script
The decisive moment came in the 16th over. After suffering a costly start, Curran returned to produce a spell for the ages. left handed batsman out Dasun Shanaka, Mahesh TheekshanaAnd Mathisha Pathirana Became only the second English bowler to take a T20I hat-trick in three consecutive balls. His blast tore apart Sri Lanka’s lower order, bowling them out for 133 and ensuring England finished the innings firmly on top.
Phil Salt sets the tone as England stay ahead of DLS
England’s reply started with intention. Salt announced his mood by hitting a six on the very first ball, which immediately eased the nervousness. Sri Lanka hit back Ishaan MalingaWhose double blow was removed jos buttler And jacob bethelBriefly brought the hosts back into contention.
Without any worries, Salt smashed 46 off 35 balls, rotating the strike and punishing loose balls. He was supported by Tom Banton, who provided momentum to the team with a lively innings of 29 runs in just 15 balls. Their partnership ensured that England remained comfortably ahead at the required rate.
When play stopped after 15 overs due to heavy rain in the final, England were comfortably at 125/4 – well ahead of DLS’s total of 114. With no further play possible, the officials handed the match to the guests.
England won the first T20 match and led the series 1-0.#SLvENG pic.twitter.com/sdOQN8O0it
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 31 January 2026
