Sam Curran produced a decisive hat-trick to headline a strong bowling effort as England secured a 1-0 series lead in the opening T20I against Sri Lanka at Pallekele. In a rain-shortened contest reduced to 17 overs per side, England restricted the hosts to 133 before rain halted the chase with the visitors ahead on the DLS method.
Curran struck in the 16th over, removing Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana in successive deliveries to become only the second England bowler to claim a T20I hat-trick. Adil Rashid was equally effective, finishing with three wickets, while Liam Dawson and Jamie Overton chipped in with two apiece. Jofra Archer, returning to international action, went wicketless.
Sri Lanka made a brisk start after being sent in. Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka found early boundaries, with Mishara striking two fours and a six before holing out. Nissanka and Kusal Mendis continued to score freely, helping the hosts reach 50 for one inside five overs, with a slice of fortune when a delivery brushed the stumps without dislodging the bails.
England’s comeback began once Rashid dismissed Nissanka, triggering a collapse. Dawson removed Charith Asalanka, Rashid accounted for Kusal Mendis (37) and Dhananjaya de Silva, and Dawson picked up his second wicket as Sri Lanka slipped from 76 for one to 100 for six. Late resistance from Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga briefly lifted the total before Curran’s hat-trick and Overton’s dismissal of Hasaranga wrapped up the innings. Sri Lanka lost nine wickets for 57 runs.
England’s reply was aggressive at the top, with Jos Buttler and Phil Salt racing away early. Buttler fell to a clever slower ball from Eshan Malinga, who also removed Jacob Bethell with another change of pace. Tom Banton counterattacked with a quick 29 off 15 balls before departing to a sharp catch.
Salt anchored the chase with a composed 46 from 35 deliveries, keeping England on course. With England 125 for four after 15 overs, rain returned, and the visitors were declared winners by 11 runs under the DLS method, sealing the opening match.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 133 in 16.2 overs (Kusal Mendis 37, Pathum Nissanka 23; Adil Rashid 3-19, Sam Curran 3-38)
England 125/4 in 15 overs (Phil Salt 46, Tom Banton 29; Eshan Malinga 2-24)
England won by 11 runs (DLS)
