England finished with 254/4 from 20 overs, cruising past Sri Lanka by 119 runs. Jos Buttler, the wicket‑keeper‑batsman, knocked 80 off 44 balls, a blistering 1.81 strike rate that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The innings saw eight fours and three sixes, and Buttler reached a half‑century in just 29 deliveries. He then joined captain Harry Brook for a 128‑run partnership, the second wicket standing firm after their 233‑run stand against India earlier in the series. Brook, meanwhile, went on to finish with an unbeaten 114 off 49 balls, the defining innings that sealed the win.
Bowling was a nightmare for Sri Lanka—Sonny Baker took 3/12 from four overs, while Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson each claimed two wickets. Despite a decent cameo from Dunith Wellalage, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 135 in 19 overs.
With the knock, Buttler’s tally climbed to 4,292 runs at an average of 34.33, pushing him past Rohit Sharma’s 4,231 to become the second‑highest run‑scorer in men's T20I history. Pakistan’s Babar Azam remains top‑spot with 4,596 runs, but the Englishman’s milestone cements his place among the greats.
The victory extends England’s winning run against Sri Lanka to 13 consecutive T20Is and gives them a 1-0 lead in the three‑match series. The men now turn their focus to the final T20I and the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan.