## England Kicks Off T20I Series with Commanding Victory Over Sri Lanka
England has drawn first blood in their three-match Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka, securing a convincing 11-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in a rain-affected encounter in Pallekele. The win sees the tourists take a crucial 1-0 lead, building on their recent 2-1 triumph in the ODI series.
### Curran’s Hat-Trick Headlines Dramatic Sri Lankan Collapse
The match, shortened to 17 overs per side due to persistent damp conditions, saw England’s bowlers, particularly spin maestro Adil Rashid and all-rounder Sam Curran, dismantle the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Sri Lanka was ultimately bundled out for 133 after a promising start.
#### Mendis Leads Initial Charge Before Spin Takes Hold
Sri Lanka began their innings with intent, largely thanks to Kusal Mendis, who top-scored for the hosts with a brisk 37. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as England’s spin duo, Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson, began to find their rhythm. What looked like a solid foundation at 76-1 quickly crumbled into disarray.
Between the seventh and eleventh overs, Sri Lanka lost five wickets for just 22 runs, slumping to 98-6. The pivotal moment arrived when Rashid claimed the crucial wicket of Mendis, who, attempting a hefty heave, found Craig Overton’s safe hands at long-on.
#### Sam Curran’s Unforgettable Triple Strike
Despite the middle-order collapse, Dasun Shanaka (20) and Wanindu Hasaranga (14) attempted a spirited fightback, stitching together a resilient 31-run partnership for the seventh wicket from just 24 deliveries. Just as Sri Lanka threatened to post a more challenging total, Sam Curran stepped up to deliver a moment of pure brilliance.
The left-arm seamer produced a sensational hat-trick, single-handedly ending Sri Lanka’s innings. First, he removed Shanaka, then followed up by dismissing Maheesh Theekshana. The crowning glory came on the very next ball, as Curran, bowling around the wicket, unleashed a full delivery that crashed into Matheesha Pathirana’s middle and off stumps, sending them cartwheeling and completing a memorable hat-trick. Overton then wrapped up the innings by removing Hasaranga.
### England’s Confident Pursuit of a Reduced Target
Chasing a revised target of 134, England’s batsmen showed composure and aggression, navigating the tricky conditions with skill. Though Eshan Malinga managed to remove opener Jos Buttler relatively cheaply for 17, the tourists never truly looked in danger of falling behind the DLS par score.
#### Salt and Banton Steer the Ship
Phil Salt anchored the innings with a mature display, compiling a valuable 46 runs off 35 balls. He found an aggressive partner in Tom Banton, who blazed 29 runs off a mere 15 deliveries, injecting crucial pace into England’s chase.
By the time rain brought an early end to proceedings, with England comfortably placed at 123-4, they were well ahead on the DLS calculations. Salt was the last wicket to fall, dismissed by Shanaka at long-on, but by then, the heavy lifting had already been completed, securing the victory.
England will now look to press home their advantage and clinch the series when they face Sri Lanka again at the same venue on Sunday.