Sri Lanka England and New Zealand Seal Wins at T20 World Cup 2026
Sri Lanka England New Zealand T20 World Cup action was the highlight on Day 2 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as fans were treated to three thrilling encounters across a spectrum of venues. Sri Lanka got their campaign off to a winning start, England were given a scare by Nepal and New Zealand won comfortably against Afghanistan. Sri Lanka England and New Zealand Seal Wins
The second day of the competition saw six teams in action and produced tension, tight finishes and individual performances that emphasised why the T20 World Cup is one of world cricket’s most entertaining events.
Sri Lanka Beat Ireland by 76 Runs in WC Opener
Hosts Sri Lanka started the 2012 Sri Lanka England New Zealand T20 World Cup strongly with a comfortable win over Ireland. Having set Sri Lanka a relatively low target of 164 to chase, England needed early wickets but their renowned spin attack was outplayed from the outset by the visitors’ own world-class tweakers.
The stars were Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana with the ball. Theekshana struck early by removing Ireland captain Paul Stirling to set the tone for Sri Lanka. Hasaranga then dismissed Mark Adair to leave Ireland in a precarious position. Sri Lanka England and New Zealand Seal Wins
Ireland attempted to battle however with a strong partnership between Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker. The pair put on 49 for the third wicket to keep Ireland in the hunt. But Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage bagged wickets in successive overs to snap the stand and hand over the momentum back to Sri Lanka.
Hasaranga ended with impressive figures of 3/25, and Theekshana claimed wickets at key intervals to ensure the Irish never got going. Sri Lanka reached a comfortable win in the final over of their chase.
Previously, the batting was lead by Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis. Sri Lanka had a measured powerplay after losing Kamil Mishara cheaply. Pathum Nissanka then put on 34 before falling.
Sri Lanka were on 68/3 then and finally 95/4 but a crucial stand of 67 runs between Kamindu Mendis and Kusal Mednis turned the game around. Kamindu went hell for leather, smashing 44 from just 19 balls and Kusal Mendis played a composed little knock of 56* off 43 to help Sri Lanka get to some sort of total.
Plucky Nepal Push England to the Brink
England were made to sweat by a determined Nepal side in one of the most exciting matches we have seen so far in the Sri Lanka England New Zealand T20 World Cup. Nepal had begun strongly, dismissing Phil Salt early courtesy Sher Malla. Sri Lanka England and New Zealand Seal Wins
Jos Buttler and Jacob Bethell counter-attacked, taking the lead to 38 before Buttler was dismissed for 26. England were 57 runs at the loss of two wickets in the powerplay but Nepal hit back with another breakthrough when Sandeep Lamichhane claimed Tom Banton.
Bethell and Harry Brook then constructed another partnership to lift the side with an important 71‐run stand. Bethell made a crucial knock of 55 from 34 balls as Brook added a 53 runs off 32 balls. A late carnage from Will Jacks (39 not out off 18 balls) helped England reach 184.
Nepal’s chase took off with Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh flying to 31 without loss. England responded sharply and Nepal went to the powerplay at 47/2.
Skipper Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee batted cautiously, scoring 82 runs between them in pursuit. But the pair fell in quick succession to Sam Curran and Liam Dawson, restoring England’s grip on the contest.
Still, Nepal kept fighting to the end. Lokesh Bam played some important boundaries, and Nepal required 10 from the last over. Sam Curran kept his cool to restrict him to just six runs for a dramatic four-run win for England. Sri Lanka England and New Zealand Seal Wins
New Zealand Beat Afghanistan Comfortably
Sri Lanka England New Zealand T20 World Cup campaign fired up as Afghanistan were beaten in Chennai. Afghanistan scored 182/6, largely on the back of Gulbadin Naib’s firecracker 63 off 35 balls.
Lockie Ferguson struck early, sending back both Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the same over as Afghanistan was reduced to 44/2. Naib then steadied the ship with Sediqullah Atal in a 79-run third-wicket stand. Sri Lanka England and New Zealand Seal Wins
New Zealand were then dealt a couple of early blows as Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra fell to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Tim Seifert led the charge with 65 from 42 balls and combined in an important partnership for Glenn Phillips, who contributed 42 from 25 balls.
A late surge from Daryl Mitchell and skipper Mitchell Santner brought New Zealand home with 2.1 overs to spare for a convincing win. Sri Lanka England and New Zealand Seal Wins
Day 2 of the Sri Lanka England New Zealand T20 World Cup action was everything fans love about T20 cricket on display—all three games were great—tight finishes, fearless batting and match-winning bowling spells. And Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand all began with a significant win to shape up for a potentially thrilling tournament.
