Express pacer Jofra Archer is leading England’s bowling attack in their ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s match against Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (February
22). And he helped the Poms get off to a memorable start by removing Sri Lanka’s in-form opener Pathum Nissanka in the third over of the run chase.
In an attempt to play a big shot off Archer’s bowling, Nissanka, who slammed an unbeaten century (100*) for Sri Lanka against Australia on February 16, was caught by Jamie Overton near the boundary ropes on the fourth ball.
After removing the dangerous Nissanka early in the second half of the Super 8s match in Kandy, Archer came up with an epic celebration.
The clip of Archer making a savage gesture after picking up his first wicket is now going viral on the internet.
Here’s a look:
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Sri Lankan fans had high hopes from Nissanka in the match against England, but the left-handed batter could only manage to score 9 runs from 8 balls. During his stay at the crease, he slammed two fours.
After Nissanka’s dismissal, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake in the fourth over. While Mendis was caught by Will Jacks off his own bowling on the third ball, Tom Banton completed Rathnayake’s catch on the fourth delivery.
In his third over of the match and fifth over of Sri Lanka’s innings, Archer dismissed Nissanka’s opening partner – Kamil Mishara. Kamil Mishara was also caught by Overton after adding six runs from 11 balls to Sri Lanka’s total in the 147-run chase.
Jacks, who is so far England’s player in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, picked up his third wicket of the match on the fifth ball of the sixth over. Dunith Wellalage, who was sent to bat at No. 5, in an attempt to hit a six off Jacks’ bowling was caught by England skipper Harry Brook.
Earlier in the first half of the ongoing match, Phil Salt scored 62 runs from 40 balls to help England post a fighting total of 147/9. Apart from Salt, Jacks played a knock of 21 runs from 14 balls, and Brook added 14 runs from seven balls to England’s total.
For Sri Lanka, Wellalage picked up 3 wickets for 21 runs in four overs, and two English batters were each sent back to the pavilion by Dilshan Madushanka and Maheesh Theekshana.
