T2O World Cup: England thrash Sri Lanka by 26 runs, make entry into semi-finals

England scored 163 for four in 29th match of the world tournament and set 164 target for Lankans.

Sri Lankan players were bowled out at 137 in 20 overs. England secured their fourth consecutive win in Group A.  

Jos Buttler hit the first century of the Twenty20 World Cup as England effectively booked their semi-final spot with a 26-run victory over Sri Lanka.

Buttler's unbeaten 101 - his maiden century in 86 T20 internationals - steered England to 163 for four after being invited to bat first in Sharjah.

England bowlers led by Adil Rashid then combined to bowl out Sri Lanka for 137 in 19 overs and remain unbeaten with four wins in the Super 12 stage to stay top of the group.

Only South Africa and Australia can match their eight points but England already have the cushion of a far superior run rate.

Buttler smashed six fours and six sixes in his 67-ball knock and put on 112 with skipper Eoin Morgan, who made 40, to lift England after they were in trouble at 35-3.

The England opener, who hit an unbeaten 71 in the win over Australia, surpassed his previous T20 best of 83 and now leads the tournament batting chart with 214 runs.

Sri Lanka lost early wickets in their chase with Pathum Nissanka run out for one in the first over.

Charith Asalanka hit back with boundaries only to lose his wicket for 21 as Rashid struck in his first over.

The leg-spinner got Kusal Perera walking back for seven and Sri Lanka slipped to 57-4 when Chris Jordan trapped Avishka Fernando lbw for 13.

Shanaka, who made 26, and Hasaranga put on a threatening stand of 53 for the sixth wicket but a good relay catch between Roy and substitute Sam Billings on the outfield broke the stand.

Hasaranga walked back after making 34 and soon Shanaka soon followed him to the dug out.

England spinner Moeen Ali and fast bowler Chris Jordan also took two wickets each.

-- Additional input from AFP