Having won eight of their last 12 T20 internationals against Sri Lanka and given their current form in the T20 World Cup 2021, the England cricket team looks hard to beat in Sharjah tonight. But in cricket, nothing is given and the T20 format has this uncanny habit to hit predictions for a six and send reputation to ruins. With three wins on the trot in Group 1, England look certain to make the semis if they can beat Sri Lanka tonight. Eoin Morgan's England have been ruthless and the way they dismissed Australia is reason enough to brand them as a title contender alongside Pakistan, of course. But Sri Lanka, with a win and two defeats in Super 12, have the potential to surprise if their bowling and batting come good at a venue where they have more knowledge than the English. Lankans looked balanced. Charith Asalanka and opener Pathum Nissanka can score brink runs and with talisman all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva around, the islanders are always a threat. England haven't won any match defending a total but Morgan's team seems to have enough options to fall back on to keep the juggernaut running. Follow here live cricket scores between England vs Sri Lanka.
23:22 PM IST: Morgan milestone
With this win, England's Eoin Morgan has most victories (43) as captain in T20 internationals. Just retired Afghanistan's Asghar Afghan (42), former India captain MS Dhoni (42), former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed (29) and current India captain Virat Kohli (29) follow him.
23:14 PM IST: England win
It's all over for Sri Lanka. Moeen Ali takes two wickets in the 19 over to seal the deal for England. With this win, Eoin Morgan's men also confirm their place in the semifinals.
23:11 PM IST: Matter of time for England
Two wickets in three balls as Sri Lanka are nine down for 139 in 18.2 overs. Can Maheesh Theekshana and Lahiru Kumara do it ?
23:03 PM IST: Shanaka run out
Sri Lanka have lost it. After Hasaranga, captain Dasun Shanaka falls short of crease for 26. Sri Lanka 130/7 (17.2). Two new batsmen Dushmantha Chameera and Chamika Karunaratne in the middle.
22:57 PM IST: Livingstone strikes
What a wicket for England at this time! Wanindu Hasaranga, who was playing so well departs for 21-ball 34, caught by substitute Sam Billings, bowled by Liam Livingstone. Sri Lanka 130/6 (17)
22:51 PM IST: Can SL do it ?
With Wanindu Hasaranga (29*) and Dasun Shanaka (24*) in the middle, Sri Lanka can still win the game. Just need an over to change the course of the match. Mills injury is a big blow to England. Sri Lanka 123/4 (16)
22:38 PM IST: Mills injury
A four and a six off Tymal Mills as Sri Lanka cross 100-run mark. Meanwhile, Mills has hurt himself and is walking off the field. Chris Woakes comes in to finish the over. Sri Lanka 103/5 (14). Wanindu Hasaranga (19*), Dasun Shanaka (14*)
22:33 PM IST: England on top
Is the T20 World Cup semifinal spot is England's way? Sri Lanka 89/5 (13)
22:23 PM IST: Top five gone
First wicket for Chris Woakes today as he dismisses Bhanuka Rajapaksa for 26. Sri Lanka have lost their top five in the match. England 76/5 (11.4)
Halfway stage
At the halfway stage, Sri Lanka ate 66/4, much ahead of England 47/3 at this point in time. Bhanuka Rajapaksa (16* and Dasun Shanaka (7*).
22:10 PM IST: Jordan joins party
Chris Jordan finally breaks the partnership. Avishka Fernando plays across the line but misses to be plumb in front. Out for unlucky 13. Sri Lanka 58/4 (9)
22:05 PM IST: Rajapaksa dropeed
Oh dear! One of the safe hands in the field, Chris Woakes drops Bhanuka Rajapaksa in the deep-square leg. How costly that would be? Sri Lanka 54/3 (8). Bhanuka Rajapaksa (14*) and Avishka Fernando (11*)
21:53 PM IST: Sri Lanka in dire straits
A pure replication of the first innings. Adil Rashid sends back Kusal Perera back for 7 to put Sri Lanka in dire straits. Sri Lanka 40/3 (6). Bhanuka Rajapaksa (5*) and Avishka Fernando (6*)
21:43 PM IST: Asalanka departs
Big Big blow to Sri Lanka! After Nissanka, Sri Lanka lose in-form Charith Asalanka for 21, caught by Mooen Ali, bowled by Adil Rashid. Sri Lanka 28/2 (4). Avishka Fernando and Kusal Perera at the crease.
21:35 PM IST: Nissanka departs
Disaster for Sri Lanka. Pathum Nissanka is run out in the third ball of the innings. Charith Asalanka hits Chris Woakes for a six and four in the second over. Sri Lanka 15/1 (2)
21:16 PM IST: Buttler show propels England
What a knock from Jos Buttler! He hits the final ball of the innings for a six to complete his century, 101 not out off just 67 balls. Take a bow! England finish at 163/4 in 20 overs. For th fact, England scored 116 runs in the final 10 overs.
21:10 PM IST: Morgan departs
After hitting a six in the first ball, Eoin Morgan departs while trying to sweep and fails to read the line completely, clean bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga. Good 36-ball 40 by the captain. England 149/4 (19)
21:07 PM IST: Buttler on top
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6,6 and a 4. Jos Buttler is taking the Sri Lankan bowlers to cleaners towards the fag end of the innings as England take 19 runs from the 18th over. England 141/3 (18), Buttler (86*), Morgan (34*)
20:52 PM IST: England in recovery stand
Three sixes in an over by England off the bowling of Lahiru Kumara. England cross the 100-run mark in 15 overs. Remarkable comeback! England 105/3 (15). Jos Buttler (63*), Eoin Morgan (22*)
20:44 PM IST: Fifty for Buttler
A well-deserved fifty for Jos Buttler in the 15th over. Back-to-back fifties for the England opener after a match-winning 71 against Australia. How far can he take England? England 83/3 (14). Jos Buttler (50*), Eoin Morgan (10*)
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20:39 PM IST: Buttler nears fifty
A welcome six and a four for Jos Buttler off Chamika Karunaratne as the opener nears his fifty. Just amazing to watch how he switches gears according to the situation. England take 14 runs from the over. England 75/3 (13)
20:31 PM IST: 50 up
50 up for England with a boundary from Jos Buttler off Lahiru Kumara. England 59/3 (11)
20:21 PM IST: England Struggle
As said before the toss, teams batting first have always struggled in Sharjah and so are England. This is probably the worst England have scored in the first 10 overs in this T20 World Cup. England 47/3 (10). Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler are currently in the middle.
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20:14 PM IST: Brilliant Sri Lanka
What a brilliant comeback from the Sri Lankan bowlers after a brief Jos Buttler blitzkrieg. England could score only 16 runs in the last five overs losing two wickets in the process. England 41/3 (8), Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler are currently in the middle.
20:06 PM IST: Sri Lanka on top
Two big wickets in two overs for Sri Lanka. Dawid Malan was the first to go, clean bowled by Dushmantha Chameera for 6 while Wanindu Hasaranga picks his second of the match, clean bowled Jonny Bairstow for a first-ball duck. England 36/3 (6)
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19:50 PM IST: Brilliant comeback
A brilliant comeback from Maheesh Theekshana. He gives just four runs in his first over, keeps Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan in check. Four different bowlers were used by Dasun Shanaka in the first four overs of the match. England 29/1 (4)
19:47 PM IST: Buttler shines
Roy's departure has little effect on England's start as Jos Buttler sends Lahiru Kumara twice to the boundary to finish the third over with 10 runs. Jos Buttler (15*), Dawid Malan (1*). England 25/1 (3)
19:45 PM IST: Sri Lanka's good start
Wanindu Hasarnga can be the man for Sri Lanka today. The off-spinner who claimed a hat-trick earlier in the tournament completes the over brilliantly. Just three runs and a wicket. England 15/1 (2). Jos Buttler (5*), Dawid Malan (1*).
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19:40 PM IST: Hasaranga strikes
Gone! After an entertaining first over that yielded 12 runs, Wanindu Hasaranga gives Sri Lanka the breakthrough as he clean bowled Jason Roy for 9. England 13/1 (1.2)
19:18 PM IST: Captains speak
Eoin Morgan (ENG): We have performed as a group and will continue to do so. No changes in our team.
Dasun Shanaka (SL): The dew factor might come into play later in the game and the wicket looks better. We're sticking with the same team.
19:07 PM IST: Playing XIs
England: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler (w), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan (c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Tymal Mills
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Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera(w), Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka(c), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara
19:03 PM IST: Toss
Sri Lanka have won the toss and will bowl first.
18:54 PM IST: Pitch report
Like the previous games, the pitch has been on the slower side in Sharjah and a low-scoring encounter is once again on cards today. But the medium pace bowlers will get some help from this wicket. The back of the hand slower delivery might do the trick today.
18:50 PM IST: Team news
Eoin Morgan had earlier said that they are not going to tinker with the winning combination which means England are likely to play an unchanged side. For Sri Lanka, middle-order batsman Avishka Fernando hasn't delivered and could be replaced with Dhananjaya de Silva.
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18:47 PM IST: Hello
Hello and welcome to yet another Outlook India coverage of T20 World Cup 2021, this time it's England playing against Sri Lanka.
Squads:
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera(w), Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka(c), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal
England: Jason Roy, Jos Buttler(w), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan(c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Tymal Mills, David Willey, Tom Curran, Mark Wood, Sam Billings
Jordan to Shanaka, out Shanaka Run Out!! Buttler can do no wrong today! Brilliant stuff from the keeper. 141kph, pacy in-slanter, Shanaka is cramped for room and he taps it to the keeper's right. Shanaka run out (Buttler) 26(25) [4s-2 6s-1]
