![Sri Lanka channel inner Pakistan [Source: @crictalk7/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1771760017750_SriLanka.jpg?type=hq)
Sri Lanka channel inner Pakistan [Source: @crictalk7/x]
Sri Lanka players collectively pulled out some of their best fielding efforts to keep England down in their opening Super 8 match of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Some brilliant ground fielding, desperate dives and an inspiring run out of England’s Tom Banton by captain Dasun Shanaka pretty much summed up Sri Lanka’s energy and urgency on the field.
However, even that fielding energy got offset by occasional lapses that allowed England some conditional breathing space in the middle overs. One such instance occurred during the ninth over of the English innings when a mere shot towards the long-off fielder turned out to be a six for Harry Brook.
It was the sort of miscalculation more commonly associated with Pakistan’s much-debated fielding standards in competitive matches.
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Kamil Mishara, Dushan Hemantha fumble to gift England a SIX
Sri Lanka fielders unwillingly gifted six runs to England amidst their batting struggles in match number 42 of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Pallekele Stadium. With England struggling at 51-3 in 8.3 overs, captain Harry Brook came down the track and drilled Sri Lanka spinner Dushan Hemantha towards the long-off region.
When Brook ran back for the second run, Sri Lanka fielder Kamil Mishara had a shy at the stumps from the deep. The throw, however, went haywire with bowler failing to collect the ball. As it turned out, the ball ran towards the boundary in the other part of the ground just as the English skipper made his needless-yet-desperate dive.
A slightly better throw from Kamil Mishara and Brook was a certain goner. However, what was supposed to be regulatory run out opportunity turned out to be six runs for the England team.
Sri Lanka channel inner Pakistan fielding standards
Despite demonstrating one of their best fielding displays on the field overall in the game, the lapse against Harry Brook stood out as a costly blemish in an otherwise disciplined effort. The moment also reminisced many of Pakistan’s repeated fielding fumbles in high-pressure matches that have drawn sharp criticism and endless YouTube compilations from fans and analysts alike.
While the missed run out opportunity like today’s is not something that is familiar with Sri Lankan cricket, fans over the years have witnessed Pakistan lose out some big tournament matches. Some that come to mind are Hasan Ali’s drop catch against Australia at the 2021 T20 World Cup semifinal and Rahat Ali depriving Wahab Riaz of a certain Shane Watson wicket in the 2015 ICC World Cup quarter-final.
Dunith Wellalage, Madushanka restrict England to just 146
Despite serving England six runs on a platter, Sri Lanka bowlers managed to restrict Harry Brook’s troops to just 146-9 in 20 overs. Opening batter Phil Salt himself listed 62 of those runs from just 40 balls with six fours and two huge sixes, while no other batter managed to outscore 21 charted by Will Jacks.
For Sri Lanka, Dunith Wellalage picked up the wickets of Jos Buttler, Harry Brook and Salt to claim figures of 3-26. Matheesha Pathirana’s replacement fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka also picked up two alongside ace spinner Maheesh Theekshana.
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