England beat Sri Lanka in 1st T20I. [Source - AFP]England thrashed Sri Lanka by 11 runs (DLS method) in the rain-curtailed first T20I on Friday, January 30, to take a 1–0 lead in the three-match series. A disciplined all-round bowling effort set the tone before a clinical batting display powered England to a comprehensive victory at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.Here, we take a look at the complete highlights of the opening T20I between Sri Lanka and England, as it unfolded on Friday, January 30, in Pallekele. Sri Lanka blaze to flying start after rain delayAsked to bat first in a match reduced to 17 overs, Sri Lanka started aggressively with the hosts going all guns blazing from the very first over. They smashed 75 runs inside the first seven overs, losing just one wicket, and kept the pressure firmly on the England bowlers from the beginning. Kamil Mishara set the early tone with three crisp boundaries and a towering six, attacking anything loose. His promising knock ended when Jamie Overton struck at the right time, providing the bowling side a much-needed breakthrough in an otherwise dominant phase. However, the arrival of Kusal Mendis ensured there was no slowdown for the Lankans as he joined Pathum Nissanka at the crease. The duo combined power with class, adding a rapid 52 runs for the second wicket in just 28 balls, keeping a big total firmly in sight. England’s spin web and Sam Curran’s hat-trick turn the tide on Sri LankaWith Sri Lanka cruising at 75 for 1, England turned to their most trusted option in Adil Rashid. The veteran spinner delivered instantly, striking in his second over to remove Nissanka and finally slow the hosts, giving England a much-needed breakthrough. Liam Dawson then joined the act and made an immediate impact, dismissing Charith Asalanka as Sri Lanka tried to maintain the run rate. England sensed an opening, and their spinners tightened the screws, triggering a dramatic collapse as wickets fell in quick succession. From a dominant 76 for 1, Sri Lanka slipped to 98 for 6, completely losing momentum. The spinners did most of the damage before Sam Curran sealed the innings with a late hat-trick as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 133 on a good Pallekele surface. England power and poise overcome Sri Lanka in DLS finish Chasing 134, England flew out of the blocks with Phil Salt setting the tone in the powerplay. Jos Buttler joined in, smashing four boundaries off Eshan Malinga, before his stumps were rattled in the fifth ball to hand Sri Lanka an early breakthrough. Sri Lanka tightened the screws through Matheesha Pathirana and Eshan Malinga, drying up runs with the new ball and removing Jacob Bethell after his scratchy stay. Just as momentum shifted, Tom Banton counterattacked Wanindu Hasaranga, extracting a 17-run over to swing control back England’s way. Pathirana struck again later to keep Sri Lanka in the hunt, but England kept the scoreboard ticking. Phil Salt fell four short of a fifty, leaving England on the driving seat. With nine needed off two overs, rain returned to halt the play and England won on DLS by 11 runs.
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