Sri Lanka vs England Highlights, 1st T20I | Jan 30: Sri Lanka’s Middle-Order Collapse Handed England an 11-Run DLS Win

SL vs ENG 1st T20I highlights covered a rain-affected opener at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium where England held their nerve to secure an 11-run DLS victory. Sri Lanka were restricted to 133 in a curtailed 17-over innings before rain reduced England’s chase to 15 overs, setting a target of 134. The result gave England a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.

Sri Lanka were put in to bat after England won the toss, and the surface at Pallekele offered enough grip to reward disciplined spin and variations. The hosts began with intent through Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka, but the momentum stalled once England’s bowlers found control inside the powerplay and immediately after it.

Kusal Mendis briefly lifted the innings with a brisk 37 off 20 balls, striking four fours and two sixes, but his dismissal at 89 for four triggered a sharp slide. Adil Rashid’s leg-spin proved decisive in the middle overs as he removed Nissanka, Mendis, and Dhananjaya de Silva, breaking Sri Lanka’s batting rhythm. Sam Curran supported well with three wickets of his own, while Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for just 44 runs, finishing all out for 133 in 16.2 overs.

England’s chase began positively with Phil Salt anchoring the innings, though wickets at regular intervals kept the contest tight. Jos Buttler struck four boundaries in a quick 17 before falling, and Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton added urgency through the middle overs. Banton’s 29 off 15 balls briefly swung momentum England’s way before rain intervened with the score at 125 for four after 15 overs.

The interruption proved decisive, as the DLS method left England 11 runs ahead of the par score. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, particularly Matheesha Pathirana with figures of 1 for 18 from four overs, had kept pressure on, but the early batting collapse left them with too much ground to recover in a shortened contest.

Toss Winner

England won the toss and put the opposition in to bat.

Key Moment

Adil Rashid’s middle-overs spell, which yielded three wickets for 19 runs, halted Sri Lanka’s progress after they had reached 76 for two and directly shaped a below-par total in a rain-threatened match.

Star Performer / MVP

The match belonged to Adil Rashid, who finished with 3 wickets for 19 runs, stunning Sri Lanka’s middle order and earning Player of the Match.

Sri Lanka vs England Match Summary

SL vs ENG Playing XI

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga

England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer

FAQs – Yesterday’s Sri Lanka vs England 1st T20I (Jan 30, 2026)

Q1: What was the final score of yesterday’s Sri Lanka vs England match?
A1: Yesterday (January 30, 2026): 1st T20I
Sri Lanka (133 in 16.2 overs) lost to England (125/4 in 15 overs) by 11 runs via the DLS method.
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis top-scored with 37.
England: Phil Salt led the scoring with 46.
Result: England led the three-match series 1–0.

Q2: Who was named the Player of the Match?
A2: Adil Rashid was named the Player of the Match for his figures of 3 for 19, which restricted Sri Lanka to 133.

Q3: Where was the match played, and who won the toss?
A3: The match was played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. England won the toss and chose to field first.

Q4: Who were the top performers with the bat for both sides?
A4: For Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis was the leading scorer with 37 runs. For England, Phil Salt top-scored with 46 runs.