DUBAI : England face Sri Lanka in Group 1 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in Sharjah.

England are under pressure for the first time at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 after being put into bat by Sri Lanka in Sharjah.

Eoin Morgan’s England are in search of a fourth straight win of the Super 12 stage, following on from one-sided victories over the West Indies, Bangladesh and Australia.

But the loss of three wickets in the powerplay put England in trouble, with the score 47/3 after 10 overs and with Jos Buttler and captain Morgan rebuilding at the crease.

England started where they left off with the bat, knocking 12 off the opening over with Jason Roy looking intent on taking the attack to Sri Lanka.

But Roy’s offensive lasted just one ball against Wanindu Hasaranga, with the spinner skidding a googly under Roy’s attempted sweep and cleaning him up.

Dawid Malan, in at three, received a let-off on six when an inside edge off Dushmantha Chameera fell fractionally short of the keeper. But the top-ranked batter in T20I cricket fell the very next delivery, playing all around a peach of an inswinger to leave England 34/2.

And the decision to bring back Hasaranga for a second over in the Powerplay reaped rewards when Jonny Bairstow came down the track to his first ball and was struck on the pads. Sri Lanka reviewed and three reds sent Bairstow back, leaving England in trouble for the first time in the tournament.

Win number four for the top-ranked T20I side in the world would essentially confirm England as winners of Group 1, barring an unlikely set of results and a huge shift in net run rate.

But Sri Lanka’s strong start to the game has left England with a lot of work to do to secure that fourth victory. An upset over England would put Dasun Shanaka’s side back into contention to qualify for the final four.