England Beat Sri Lanka by 6 Wickets to Take 2-0 T20I Series Lead- IPL

England beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second T20I in Cardiff. The win gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Sri Lanka made a fast start after losing the toss. Pathum Nissanka hit three boundaries in Jofra Archer’s first over. Lahiru Udara also found his rhythm after a slow start. Sri Lanka reached 50 midway through the fifth over.

Liam Dawson changed the game when he came on in the final Powerplay over. The left-arm spinner took two wickets from successive balls. Sri Lanka’s scoring rate dropped soon after. Nissanka was out for 37 when he hit a slower ball from Jamie Overton to mid-on.

Overton then bowled Kamindu Mendis after beating him for room on a late cut. Dawson added another wicket by dismissing Dasun Shanaka. Sri Lanka were in trouble before Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga added 44 runs together.

England Bowlers Finish Strong

Asalanka and Hasaranga gave Sri Lanka hope of reaching around 170. Dawson’s final over went for 18 runs. England hit back in the last three overs. Adil Rashid removed Asalanka after Harry Brook handed him the ball. Sonny Baker then bowled a wicket maiden in the 19th over and dismissed Hasaranga. Archer took two wickets in the final over as Sri Lanka lost four wickets for seven runs and finished on 146/9.

Banton Leads England Chase

England started the chase in aggressive fashion. Aneurin Donald attacked Dushmantha Chameera, while Jos Buttler hit four boundaries from a Dilshan Madushanka over. Buttler also became the first batter to reach 15,000 T20 runs. Both openers were dismissed during the Powerplay, with Eshan Malinga getting Donald with a slower ball and Chameera removing Buttler with a short delivery.

England kept attacking after the early wickets. Harry Brook hit Wanindu Hasaranga for three sixes in one over. He tried to hit another six but was caught by Malinga at deep square leg. Tom Banton then took charge of the chase. Sri Lanka’s spinners bowled too many short deliveries, which allowed England’s batters to score freely.

England passed 120 at the end of the 10th over. Banton hit Malinga for two straight sixes. Jordan Cox was dismissed with England needing only 10 runs to win. Banton then completed his fastest T20I fifty from 24 balls.

Hasaranga dropped a catch while chasing the ball from mid-on during a free hit. England finished the chase with almost eight overs left. The result gave England a 2-0 series lead and continued their strong record against Sri Lanka in T20 cricket.

ALSO READ: Japan Women Asian Games 2026: Schedule, Captain, Squad, Playing XI, Key Players & Live Streaming Details