England produced a remarkable all-round effort at Pallekele to defend their lowest-ever T20I total and complete a 3–0 whitewash over Sri Lanka with a 12-run victory in the third and final match.
After being asked to bat, England looked in serious trouble on a turning surface, sliding to 60 for 6 midway through their innings.
Dushmantha Chameera tore through the top order with a career-best 5 for 24, exploiting movement and pace off the pitch to leave England reeling.
Sam Curran, however, held the innings together with a composed and resilient 58 from 48 balls. Mixing caution with timely aggression, Curran found vital support from Liam Dawson as England scraped their way to 128 for 9.
What followed was a masterclass in spin bowling. Sri Lanka’s chase never found momentum as England’s slow bowlers tightened the screws from both ends. Will Jacks struck crucial blows in the middle overs, finishing with 3 for 14, before Jacob Bethell delivered the decisive spell.
The left-armer claimed a career-best 4 for 11, ripping through the lower order and sealing the match with all four wickets arriving in his final eight deliveries.
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 116, undone by pressure and turn. The win underlined England’s growing adaptability in subcontinental conditions and sent them into the upcoming T20 World Cup brimming with confidence.