Tom Banton guided England to a six wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second Twenty20 international at Pallekele, sealing the series with two balls to spare under the DLS method.
Banton finished unbeaten on 54 from 33 deliveries, striking three sixes and four boundaries as England overhauled a revised target of 168 from 17 overs. The chase was completed at 173 for 4 in 16.4 overs, giving England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series on the eve of the T20 World Cup, which begins on Saturday.
Jos Buttler provided important support at the top of the order with 39 from 29 balls, including six fours, as England recovered from an early interruption caused by rain.
Sri Lanka, sent in to bat, posted 189 for 5 from their full allocation of 20 overs. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara laid a strong foundation with an opening stand of 56 from 33 balls, with Nissanka making 34 from 22 deliveries and Mishara contributing 36.
Jofra Archer made the initial breakthrough in the sixth over by bowling Nissanka, before Kusal Mendis joined Mishara to add a further 50 for the second wicket. Mendis struck 32 from just 17 balls, maintaining Sri Lanka’s momentum until England applied pressure through the middle overs.
Will Jacks dismissed Mishara in the 11th over, with Liam Dawson removing Mendis eight balls later. Adil Rashid then trapped Dasun Shanaka lbw for 1 as Sri Lanka slipped to 131 for 4.
Pavan Rathnayake led the recovery, scoring 40 from 22 balls and adding 56 in 36 deliveries alongside Charith Asalanka, who finished unbeaten on 28 from 22 balls, to lift Sri Lanka to a competitive total.
Rain reduced England’s chase to 17 overs, and the visitors found themselves behind the DLS par score at 57 for 2 after 7.2 overs when play was halted for around 75 minutes. Phil Salt had fallen for 1, caught off Matheesha Pathirana, while Jacob Bethell was dismissed for 13.
Following the restart and a recalculated target, Banton took control. He reached his half century from 29 balls and shared 43 from 28 deliveries with Buttler before the latter was dismissed by Dunith Wellalage.
Banton then combined effectively with captain Harry Brook, adding 49 from just 20 balls. Brook struck four sixes in a rapid 36 from 12 deliveries before being caught off Pathirana, who finished with figures of 2 for 47.
The chase was completed calmly as Banton and Sam Curran added a further 43 from 25 balls, with Curran closing on 20 not out from 14 deliveries.
The final match of the series will be played at the same venue on Tuesday.
