Sri Lanka’s Super Eight campaign at the T20 World Cup 2026 suffered a major blow in Kandy on Sunday, as co-hosts fell to a comprehensive 51-run defeat against England cricket team, leaving their semi-final prospects under pressure.

Electing to field first on a slow pitch at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka’s bowlers made early inroads and restricted England to 146/9, defending a modest total with a disciplined effort that saw several tight overs in the middle phase.

Phil Salt was the standout performer with the bat for England, anchoring their innings with a crucial 62 off 36 balls, while other batters struggled to accelerate.

However, it was England’s bowling and fielding — led by an impressive all-round showing from Will Jacks — that ultimately decided the contest. Jacks’ left-arm spin delivered a match-turning spell of 3/22 in four overs, and he also chipped in with vital lower-order runs that helped tilt the momentum fully in England’s favour.

“I thought we executed our plans really well with the ball,” Jacks said after being named Player of the Match. “We knew the conditions would be tough, and credit to our bowlers for sticking to their lengths and building pressure.”

Sri Lanka’s Chase Falls Apart

Chasing a target of 147, Sri Lanka never recovered from a top-order collapse. After losing early wickets in the Powerplay, the home side slumped to 34/5, leaving the middle and lower order with an uphill task.

Captain Dasun Shanaka was among the few who offered resistance, scoring a gritty 30, but there was little support around him as the innings deteriorated rapidly. Sri Lanka were eventually bundled out for 95 in 16.4 overs, failing to adapt to England’s bowling pressure on a slow surface.

“It’s disappointing,” Shanaka said post-match. “We knew runs wouldn’t come easy, but we didn’t build partnerships. We let ourselves down in crucial moments.”

What It Means for Sri Lanka

England’s victory gives them a valuable boost in Super Eight Group 2, strengthening their bid for a semi-final spot. For Sri Lanka, the loss raises questions about their batting depth and ability to chase under pressure, especially after entering the Super Eights with solid momentum from the group stage.

With their next match looming, Sri Lanka must regroup quickly if they are to keep their World Cup ambitions alive on home soil.

Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup campaign suffered a major setback as they went down to Zimbabwe by six wickets at the R. Premadasa Stadium — a result few predicted before the first ball was bowled.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka posted what appeared to be a competitive 178/7. But defensive bowling and a lack of control in key moments allowed Zimbabwe to chase down 179 with three balls to spare, finishing on 182/4 in 19.3 overs.

Where Sri Lanka Lost the Game

Strong Start, Poor Finish with the Bat

Sri Lanka flew out of the blocks, scoring 61 runs in the Powerplay.

• Pathum Nissanka led the charge with a fluent 62 off 41 balls.
• The opening stand raced to 54 inside five overs.

However, momentum dipped sharply in the middle overs:

• Kusal Mendis struggled (14 off 20).
• The run rate slowed between overs 7–14.
• Despite a late push from Pavan Rathnayake (44 off 25), Sri Lanka managed only 28 runs in the final three overs.

From a position of dominance at 108/2, they could not push beyond the 185–190 mark — a total that, in hindsight, proved costly.

Failure to Strike Early with the Ball

Zimbabwe’s chase was built on a solid foundation:

• 55 runs in the Powerplay without losing a wicket.
• 69-run opening stand removed early pressure.

Sri Lanka never truly regained control.

The Raza–Bennett Counterattack

The turning point came when captain Sikandar Raza launched a brutal counterattack:

• 45 off 26 balls
• 4 sixes
• 50-run partnership in just 27 balls

Brian Bennett anchored the chase superbly with an unbeaten 63 off 48.

Raza’s assault in overs 15–18 shifted the momentum completely, taking the game away from Sri Lanka just when it seemed evenly poised.

Bowling Concerns Under Lights

Sri Lanka’s bowling lacked penetration:

• Maheesh Theekshana conceded 47 in 3.3 overs (13.42 economy).
• No early breakthroughs from the seamers.
• Only one Powerplay wicket across both innings combined.

On a Colombo surface that slowed slightly, Zimbabwe adapted better, rotating strike efficiently before accelerating at the death.

Key Numbers That Hurt Sri Lanka

• Zimbabwe Powerplay: 55/0
• Sri Lanka Powerplay wickets: 0
• Zimbabwe scored 150 in just 16.1 overs
• Sri Lanka conceded 9.33 runs per over in the chase

What This Means

Sri Lanka entered as favourites, especially batting first at home. But tactical lapses, middle-over stagnation, and expensive spells under pressure proved decisive.

Zimbabwe, disciplined with the ball and fearless in the chase, fully deserved their two points.

For Sri Lanka, questions now emerge:

• Is the bowling attack lacking bite?
• Are middle overs becoming a recurring concern?
• Was 178 ever going to be enough on this surface?

With tougher fixtures ahead in the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka must regroup quickly — because performances like this could derail their campaign early.

Sri Lanka’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign has suffered a major setback, with fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana likely to miss the remainder of the tournament due to injury.

The 23-year-old sustained a calf injury during Sri Lanka’s Group B encounter against Australia on Monday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The incident occurred in his opening over when, after delivering the fourth ball, Pathirana suddenly pulled up clutching his left calf before collapsing to the ground in visible discomfort.

Team physiotherapists rushed onto the field as concerned teammates gathered around. The pacer was unable to leave the field without assistance, immediately raising concerns about the severity of the injury. Captain Dasun Shanaka completed the over in his absence.

Shortly after, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that Pathirana would take no further part in the match. In a brief statement, SLC said the bowler had experienced discomfort in his left calf and would undergo medical scans for a full assessment.

Major Blow to Pace Attack

Initial indications suggest the injury could rule Pathirana out for the rest of the World Cup — a significant loss for Sri Lanka’s bowling unit. Known for his slingy action and deadly yorkers, especially at the death, Pathirana has been one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable T20 strike bowlers.

If ruled out, team management is expected to consider Dilshan Madushanka or Nuwan Thushara as potential replacements. While both offer pace and variety, replacing Pathirana’s unique skillset will be a challenge.

Hasaranga Return Under Discussion

In a parallel development, Sri Lanka are reportedly exploring the possibility of bringing Wanindu Hasaranga back into the squad as he continues recovery from a hamstring injury.

Although Hasaranga has not yet regained full match fitness, officials are said to be evaluating whether he could feature later in the tournament — particularly if Sri Lanka qualify for the Super Eight stage.

With their final group match effectively a dead rubber, Sri Lanka have a short window to reassess their injury situation and make strategic decisions. The team management is likely to wait for clearer medical reports before confirming any squad changes.

As the tournament enters a decisive phase, Sri Lanka’s hopes may depend as much on fitness updates as on performances on the field.