Watch: Dasun Shanaka's direct-hit runs out Tom Banton for 6 in ENG vs SL T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash

England, after going through an unbeaten campaign in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, didn’t make a strong start with the bat in their opening Super 8 clash against co-hosts Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. Meanwhile, the home side, after losing the last fixture against Zimbabwe, looked to be a different beast.

Sri Lanka sent back both out-of-form Jos Buttler and inform Jacob Bethell early in the innings. And their captain, Dasun Shanaka, produced a fine skill of fielding to inject new energy with the wicket of Tom Banton for six runs. It was the fourth delivery of the eighth over when Banton rushed for a single at the bowler’s end.

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The ball, after one bounce, came into the hands of Shanaka, who was jammed at mid-off. He hit the stumps directly to break the stumps, as a dive wasn’t enough to save the right-handed batter, as he fell short of the crease on six runs. While running, his bat didn’t go straight, and that put the curtains down.

Tom Banton dismissed via run-out for 6 in ENG vs SL T20 WC 2026 clash

It was a crazy division for Banton in his T20I career. In 14 innings while batting first, he has managed only 231 runs at an average of 17.76 and a strike rate of 135.90, while in the chases, Banton has grabbed 413 runs in 15 innings at an average of 37.54 and a strike rate of 160.07.

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For England, their opener, Phil Salt, scored a fine knock of 62 runs in 40 balls with the help of six boundaries and a pair of sixes for a strike rate of 155 before a tired shot found the field straight down the ground to end his knock.

Dunith Wellalage varied his pace beautifully with the three wickets of Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, and the opponent captain Harry Brook to finish with figures of 3/26 in four overs. England, somehow, made their way to 106/6 in 15 overs.

Brief Scores: England 120/6 (Phil Salt 62, Dunil Wellalage 3/26) vs Sri Lanka.