The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium buzzed with excitement as Sri Lanka faced England in the crucial 42nd Match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on February 22. With a place in the semi-finals at stake, this Super Eights, Group 2 match featured an incredible moment that quickly went viral. Although England’s strong hitters were anticipated to shine, it was the experienced Sri Lankan, Dasun Shanaka, who captured attention with a stunning display of athleticism.
Dasun Shanaka’s impressive direct hit sent Tom Banton back during SL vs ENG Super 8 match
The ball sped toward Dasun Shanaka, who reacted swiftly. He collected it cleanly as it bounced perfectly into his hands and made a quick throw that hit the stumps directly. Banton made a desperate dive, but he was well short of safety.
This dismissal put England in a tough spot at 49/3, with Banton scoring only 6 runs off 7 balls. The crowd at Pallekele erupted as the replay showcased the precision of Shanaka’s throw; it was a perfect example of effective fielding under pressure.
Here’s the video:
