The atmosphere at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was nothing short of electric Sri Lanka and England He faced a high risk in his 42nd match ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The Super Eights, Group 2 clash on February 22 offered a moment of pure on-court brilliance that could potentially go viral with a place in the semi-finals. While England’s power forwards were expected to dominate, it was the veteran Sri Lankans. Dasun Shanakawho steals the limelight with a piece of athleticism that defies her years.
Dasun Shanaka’s superb direct strike bundles out Tom Banton during the SL vs ENG Super 8 clash.
The defining moment of the first innings came in the 8th over, just as England were trying to rebuild after a shaky Powerplay. Face to face Dushmantha Chameera, Tom Banton looked to turn the strike against the spinning yorker. Banton hit the ball towards mid off and immediately called a risky single, a decision that proved fatal.
The ball moved quickly Dasun Shanakaacting like a predator. Shanaka didn’t hesitate as he collected the ball cleanly as the bounce fell perfectly into his palms. In one fluid motion, he unleashed a bullet that hit the stumps directly. Despite a desperate full-length dive from Banton, the Englishman was caught well short of the crease.
The dismissal left England 49/3 with Banton off 6 off 7 balls. The Pallekele crowd erupted as the replay showed the accuracy of the shot; it was a masterclass in the modern field, highlighting Sri Lanka’s disciplined approach under pressure.
We present the video:
A disciplined Sri Lanka restrict England to a low score in Kandy
Despite the early wobbles and Shanaka’s brilliance, England managed to claw their way to a competitive, albeit tenuous, total of 146/9 in 20 overs. The shots were the story of a single fighter Phil Salthit 62 off 40 balls including six boundaries and a single six. Salt was the only English batter who looked comfortable against a versatile Sri Lankan bowling attack that exploited the humid Kandy conditions to perfection.
spin duet Dunith Wellalage and Mahesh Theekshana stifled the middle order. Wellalage was particularly deadly, finishing with figures of 3/26, which If Buttler (7) and dangerous Harry Brooke (14). DRS played its part in Brook’s dismissal as the umpire’s call upheld the on-field decision with a LBW shout, further reducing England’s momentum.
As the innings break began, the odds of victory swung sharply in Sri Lanka’s favor, leaving England’s bowlers with a huge task to defend for just under 150 on a pitch that seemed to slow down.
