Sam Curran's hat-trick against Sri Lanka (video)

The first match of the three-match T20 cricket series between the England team and the Sri Lanka team began at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Having previously lost the ODI series 2-1, the Sri Lankan team entered this match with hopes of victory. Although the Sri Lankan team got off to a strong start in their innings, they were unable to convert it into a long innings, and with the rapid fall of middle-order wickets, their innings was restricted to 17 overs.

England's spin bowlers managed to take control of the match by putting immense pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen during the middle overs.

The most crucial and exciting event of this innings was the magnificent hat-trick recorded by England fast bowler Sam Curran. Although he allowed the opposition to score runs in his initial overs, Curran re-entered the game and began his wicket hunt by dismissing Dasun Shanaka for 20 runs. Shanaka was caught by Harry Brook, and subsequently, Maheesh Theekshana, who came to the crease, had to depart without scoring any runs on his very first ball, giving a catch to Jamie Overton.

By dismissing Matheesha Pathirana on the third ball of the over, Sam Curran became the second English bowler to achieve a hat-trick in T20 International cricket. Pathirana's wicket fell to a fast, accurately aimed yorker, which was a moment of great excitement for the England team. Finally, with Jamie Overton dismissing Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka's innings concluded at 133, leaving the England team with a target to chase at an approximate run rate of 8 runs per over to win the match.

Watch the video related to this event ›