England got the better of Sri Lanka in a low-scoring T20 World Cup contest as Will Jacks starred in a 51-run victory.

Having been handed the new ball, Jacks took 3-22 as Sri Lanka failed to deal with England's spinners in Pallekele.

Jacks had earlier scored 21 with the bat for England, who only managed to reach 146-9 from their 20 overs.

Phil Salt carried their innings with a 40-ball 62, but Jacks was the only other batter to get above 20.

Yet Harry Brook's team got it spot on with the ball, as Jofra Archer (2-20) and Jacks dismantled Sri Lanka's top order in the powerplay.

Dunith Wellalage (10) was the only batter from Sri Lanka's top five to reach double figures, as the tournament co-hosts were reduced to 34-5.

Dasun Shanaka offered some resistance with a quickfire 30, but his stand was ended when Jacks took a brilliant catch on the boundary and, thinking quickly, laid it off for Tom Banton to ensure he did not take it over the rope.

Liam Dawson (2-27) and Adil Rashid (2-13) swept up the tail as England surged into top spot in their Super 8s group.

An incredible bowling performance!! pic.twitter.com/znY1fhpFlg

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 22, 2026

Data Debrief: Mind your stumps

Dushan Hemantha was sent packing as he hit his own wickets, and it marked the third instance of such a dismissal at this edition of the T20 World Cup, after Zane Green (Namibia v India) and Muhammad Arfan (UAE v Afghanistan).

Remarkably, that matches the total of dismissals for batters stepping onto their own wickets through the entire history of the tournament prior to this edition.

Shanaka was the only Sri Lanka player to come away from this with any pride. The captain's knock included two sixes, which took him past Kusal Mendis for T20I maximums, meaning Shanaka now holds the record for his country (98).