PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka suffered an inexplicable batting collapse to lose to England by 51 runs in their opening Super Eights Group 2 clash of the T20 World Cup, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 147, Sri Lanka were reduced to 34 for five inside the powerplay after Will Jacks (3/22) struck twice in two balls and Jofra Archer (2/20) unsettled the top order.
Pathum Nissanka (9), Kamil Mishara (6), Kusal Mendis (4) and Pavan Rathnayake (0) all fell for single-digit scores as nothing went right for Sri Lanka to be bundled out for 95 in 16.4 overs.
Earlier, a disciplined Sri Lanka restricted England to 146/9 after opting to bowl. Opener Phil Salt top-scored for England with a brisk 62 off 40 balls.
Sri Lanka were clinical with the ball, with left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage (3/26), the tidy Maheesh Theekshana (2/21) and Dilshan Madushanka (2/25) leading the charge.
Brief Scores:
England: 146/9; 20 overs (Phil Salt 62; Dunith Wellalage 3/26; Maheesh Theekshana 2/21, Dilshan Madushanka 2/25).
Sri Lanka: 95 all out in 16.4 overs (Will Jacks 3/22; Liam Dawson 2/27, Jofra Archer 2/20, Adil Rashid 2/13).