Sri Lanka’s pursuit of 147 runs began with a catastrophic Powerplay that effectively decided the contest before the fielding restrictions had even been lifted. The hosts were left reeling at 34/5 after six overs, largely due to a historic opening burst from Will Jacks.
Jacks became the first English spinner to claim three wickets during a T20I Powerplay, dismantling the top order by removing Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, and Dunith Wellalage in quick succession. Combined with Jofra Archer’s early dismissal of Pathum Nissanka, the Sri Lankan top order was hollowed out before they could find any rhythm.
As the field spread after the sixth over, England transitioned from aggression to clinical suffocation. Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid took control of the middle overs, refusing to offer the boundaries Sri Lanka desperately needed to lower the escalating run rate. The strategy of “strangle by spin” worked perfectly; although Kamindu Mendis showed a brief spark of defiance by launching a six to bring up the team fifty, he fell shortly after to Dawson, leaving the middle order in tatters.
By the conclusion of the 14th over, Sri Lanka had slumped to 81//7, with the required rate climbing toward double figures and the home crowd silenced by a strong English bowling performance.
