The Sri Lankan team showcased a strong bowling effort, limiting England to a low score in the third T20I match at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium during England’s 2026 tour of Sri Lanka. Dushmantha Chameera delivered his best T20I performance, taking 5 wickets and conceding just 24 runs.
England captain Harry Brook chose to bat first after winning the toss for the third time in a row. This decision led to significant troubles as Sri Lankan bowlers capitalized on the conditions, preventing England from settling into their game.
Chameera Dominates England’s Batting
Dushmantha Chameera spearheaded the Sri Lankan bowling with his quick deliveries and precise control. He struck early in the powerplay and returned to take wickets in the later stages. Chameera ended up taking 5 wickets for only 24 runs in his 4 overs.
He dismantled England’s batting lineup by dismissing Ben Duckett, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, and Jamie Overton. The English batters faced constant challenges, as he targeting hard lengths and generated bounce, making it tough for them to score.
Matheesha Pathirana claimed two wickets, while Maheesh Theekshana took out Jos Buttler with his off-spin bowling. England’s batting suffered as they lost four wickets in the powerplay, causing lasting damage to their innings.
England Faces Setbacks After Early Wickets
England struggled to find their footing after a shaky start. Jos Buttler managed to score 25 runs off 21 balls, but his dismissal exacerbated England’s problems. Captain Harry Brook fell cheaply, and Ben Duckett was dismissed without scoring.
Sam Curran stood out, scoring 58 runs from 48 balls, trying to salvage the innings with aggressive shots. However, he lacked support from his teammates. Liam Dawson added 14 runs, while the rest failed to make significant contributions.
England ended their innings at 128 for 9 in 20 overs, a disappointing total given the batting conditions. The disciplined Sri Lankan bowlers limited easy scoring opportunities. Now, the Sri Lankan batters will aim to chase this target and secure a win to conclude the series on a positive note.
