England edged Sri Lanka by 11 runs in the rain-hit first T20I of the three-match series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. After a delayed start, the match was reduced to 17 overs per side. Due to Sam Curran’s brilliant comeback spell and a strong all-round bowling effort led by Adil Rashid, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 133 in 16.2 overs.

While chasing, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler gave England a blazing start. However, England then lost a few quick wickets. Although rain played a major role in the contest, England stayed ahead on the DLS method to seal victory in the opening match.

When rain returned later, England were only nine runs away from chasing Sri Lanka’s modest total of 133. With the field already covered by blue tarpaulins, officials called off the match. At that point, England were 11 runs ahead of the revised DLS target of 114 and were declared winners.

Sri Lanka start fast before dramatic collapse

After the delay, England chose to bowl first. Sri Lanka made a strong start and raced to 75 for 1 inside the first seven overs. Their batters attacked freely, and England’s seamers initially struggled to slow them down.

However, the momentum shifted quickly once England turned to spin. Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson bowled in tandem and changed the flow of the innings. Together, they triggered a collapse that saw Sri Lanka lose five wickets in just five overs.

From a dominant position, the hosts completely lost control. They went on to lose nine wickets for only 57 runs in 56 balls. That collapse opened the door for Sam Curran, who then produced the most memorable moment of the match.

Sam Curran’s remarkable turnaround

Curran’s night began poorly. His first two overs went for 35 runs, with Kusal Mendis attacking him aggressively. Mendis even smashed two sixes in three balls, one of them coming off Curran’s slower “moonball” delivery, which floats in at around 53mph. Curran tried the variation again straight away and paid the price as it was launched over the sightscreen.

Despite that rough start, Curran did not lose confidence. His third over told a very different story. By then, Sri Lanka were already wobbling due to England’s spin pressure.

Dasun Shanaka fell first, driving straight to Harry Brook at mid-off. Maheesh Theekshana followed soon after, mistiming a big shot to Jamie Overton at long-on. With the crowd buzzing, Curran completed his hat-trick when a full, straight delivery beat Matheesha Pathirana and shattered the stumps.

This was Curran’s third hat-trick across T20 formats and England’s first in a T20I since Chris Jordan’s effort against the USA in the 2024 World Cup. The spell underlined how far Curran has come after fearing his “face didn't fit” when he was dropped from England’s white-ball plans last year. Now, the 2022 T20 World Cup hero looks firmly back in England’s long-term setup.

Rashid and Dawson dominate through the middle

Sri Lanka’s collapse had early warning signs. Although Liam Dawson’s first over cost 14 runs, it included a strange delivery that hit Pathum Nissanka’s leg stump and ran away for four byes without removing the bails. Adil Rashid, on the other hand, began tightly, conceding only singles and building pressure.

Rashid struck in his second over, dismissing Nissanka for 23 from 20 balls. From overs eight to 12, Rashid and Dawson operated as a disciplined spin pair and dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting.

Dawson removed Charith Asalanka, who was caught by Jacob Bethell at deep midwicket for 2. Rashid then claimed Kusal Mendis, whose attacking innings of 37 from 20 ended with a simple catch at long-on. Dawson followed that with a successful lbw review against Pavan Liyanage, a decision so clear that the umpire initially suspected an inside edge.

Rashid completed his spell by dismissing Dhananjaya de Silva with a top-edged slog-sweep. He finished with excellent figures of 3 for 19 from four overs. At that stage, Sri Lanka had slipped to 100 for 6, and Curran ensured there was no recovery.

England’s chase has tense moments

England’s reply was not smooth. Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell both fell early in the powerplay to Eshan Malinga, putting pressure on the visitors. Phil Salt also had a lucky escape when Kamil Mishara dropped a difficult chance at deep midwicket off Wanindu Hasaranga’s very first ball.

Sri Lanka’s pace attack kept England alert. Matheesha Pathirana, even without the results, caused problems with his sharp, slingy action similar to Lasith Malinga, regularly pushing speeds close to 90mph.

Tom Banton, promoted to No.4 due to Ben Duckett’s injury, steadied England with a quick and positive knock of 29 from just 14 balls. Salt then anchored the innings calmly, scoring 46 from 35 deliveries. He missed out narrowly on what would have been his fifth T20I fifty in only eight innings.

Despite some nervous moments, England stayed ahead of the required rate. When rain returned, they were comfortably placed to win under DLS.

Archer’s encouraging return and Overton shines

Jofra Archer’s quick return from a side strain was one of the biggest talking points of the match. Side injuries can trouble fast bowlers, but Archer showed no signs of discomfort. He regularly touched speeds of 91mph and looked sharp.

He nearly took a wicket in his first over, but Liam Dawson dropped a fast chance at short midwicket. Archer conceded only two runs in his first eight balls, with Dasun Shanaka’s six being the only major damage to his figures. Given the wet outfield and slippery conditions, England’s decision to play Archer carried some risk, but it proved worthwhile as part of his return to match fitness.

Jamie Overton was arguably England’s most effective seamer. Even though Mishara hit his first ball for six, Overton’s hard lengths were difficult to attack. He finished with 2 for 17 in 2.2 overs. His wickets included Mishara, caught at midwicket, and Wanindu Hasaranga, whose dismissal ended Sri Lanka’s innings with four balls unused.