England all-rounder Sam Curran In the first T20I of the three-match series against Sri Lanka at Pallekele, the team staged a dramatic comeback, scoring a memorable hat-trick after a difficult start. Curran’s heroics in the penultimate game proved decisive in a rain-affected game. England restricted hosts to a modest 133 In a game of 17 rounds per side.

Sam Curran’s hat-trick leaves Sri Lanka reeling

Curran’s days initially seemed to be ticking away as he was outplayed early in the innings, conceding 20 points in a single round and 35 in the first two rounds. Sri Lanka’s batsmen looked in control in the Powerplay, scoring 76 runs in just 7 overs, and are on track to post a challenging total despite the shortened schedule.

However, the left-arm all-rounder showed his composure and skill in the all-important dying moments. Curran, bowling the penultimate ball, took three consecutive wickets through Sri Lanka’s lower order to completely turn England’s momentum around.

Curran’s hat-trick comes in sensational fashion as he fires Dasan Shanaka, Mahesh Tikshana and Madisha Patilana Turn off continuous delivery. The sequence not only eliminated Sri Lanka’s finishing options but also prevented any late charge that might have taken them past England.

With that spell, Curran ended the game with figures of 3 for 38, an impressive recovery considering his opening form. The hat-trick made him only the second England bowler to achieve the feat in a men’s T20 international.

Here is the video:

An England T20I hat-trick is rarer than a sunny day in London and Sam Curran just spotted one ☀️🎳

He became the second English bowler to take a T20I hat-trick 🔥

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(Sam Curran, wickets, hat-trick, England, history, Sri Lanka, fast bowling) pic.twitter.com/Q88tv6S3AG

— FanCode (@FanCode) January 30, 2026

Curran’s achievement puts him on par with Chris Jordan, who scored a T20I hat-trick for England against the United States during the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Also read: Not England! Phil Salt selects the strongest team for the 2026 T20 World Cup

England take early lead in three-match series

England’s chase had some tense moments early on. The result of this strong encounter was eventful, with Jos Buttler and Jacob Besser both replaced by Eshant Malinga, briefly throwing England into turmoil. Things could have gone from bad to worse when Phil Salt got a big reprieve and Kamil Mishara lost a tough chance deep at mid-wicket off the first ball off Wanindu Hasaranga.

Even without a wicket, Mathisha Patialana caused a lot of discomfort. He bowled with his trademark slingshot action, urging the batsmen and keeping them guessing, echoing the threat once associated with Lasith Malinga. However, the reward hasn’t quite arrived yet.

Stability is achieved Tom BantonPromoted to fourth due to injury to Ben Duckett. Banton injected much-needed impetus with a brilliant cameo, scoring 29 points from just 14 deliveries to turn the tempo back in England’s favour. Salter took control from then on, anchoring the innings with a clinical and confident 46 off 35 balls. He narrowly missed his fifth T20I fifty in just eight innings.

England completed their run chase in 15 overs with 6 wickets in hand.

Also read: Australia pacer Pat Cummins ruled out for 2026 T20 World Cup; replacement announced