Cardiff, 18 September (H.S.): Powered by outstanding performances from Liam Dawson and Tom Banton, England defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second T20 International late on Thursday. With the victory, England secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Asked to bat first after losing the toss, Sri Lanka made an aggressive start. Pathum Nissanka struck three boundaries in the very first over from Jofra Archer, while Lahiru Udara also accelerated later in the innings. Sri Lanka reached the 50-run mark midway through the fifth over.

England captain Harry Brook turned to Liam Dawson for the final over of the powerplay, and the left-arm spinner responded by taking two wickets in successive deliveries to halt Sri Lanka’s momentum. Nissanka was dismissed for 37 by Jamie Overton. Overton then bowled Kamindu Mendis, while Dawson dismissed Dasun Shanaka to compound Sri Lanka’s problems.

Captain Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga steadied the innings with a 44-run partnership. Eighteen runs came from Dawson’s final over, raising hopes that Sri Lanka could reach around 170. However, England’s bowlers staged an excellent comeback during the final three overs.

Harry Brook’s decision to hand the ball to Adil Rashid paid off, with the leg-spinner dismissing Asalanka. Soni Baker then bowled a wicket-maiden in the 19th over and removed Hasaranga. Archer struck twice in the final over as Sri Lanka lost four wickets for just seven runs. The entire team was eventually restricted to 145 in 20 overs.

England also made a brisk start to the chase. Aneurin Donald batted aggressively against Dushmantha Chameera, while Jos Buttler struck four boundaries in one over from Dilshan Madushanka. In the process, Buttler became the first batter to complete 15,000 runs in T20 cricket.

Donald and Buttler were dismissed during the powerplay, but England’s scoring rate remained unaffected. Harry Brook smashed three sixes in one over from Hasaranga. He was dismissed while attempting a fourth six, caught brilliantly at deep square leg.

Tom Banton then took charge and continued to attack the Sri Lankan bowlers, keeping them under constant pressure. Sri Lanka’s spinners repeatedly bowled short, allowing Banton and England to take full advantage. England reached 120 at the end of the 10th over. Banton also struck two consecutive sixes in an over from Eshan Malinga.

When Jordan Cox was dismissed, England needed just 10 more runs for victory. Banton completed his fastest T20 International half-century off 24 balls, and England reached the target in just 12.1 overs. Hasaranga also dropped a catch while chasing a free-hit delivery towards mid-off, providing another example of Sri Lanka’s disappointing night.

BRIEF SCORES:

Sri Lanka: 145/9, 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 37, Charith Asalanka 31; Liam Dawson 3/32, Jamie Overton 2/23)

England: 146/4, 12.1 overs (Tom Banton 52 not out, Jos Buttler 30, Harry Brook 23; Dushmantha Chameera 1/29)

RESULT: England won by six wickets.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar