The Sri Lanka T20I team once made a major impact in T20Is. Although they haven’t been as dominant in recent years as they were in the past, they still remain a force in international cricket. We’ve selected three unforgettable matches from Sri Lanka T20I history that are worth watching again – come see if your favorite classic made the list!

Top 3 Matches in Sri Lanka T20I History

1. 2009 World Twenty20

As a dominant force in the early World Cups, the Lions reached the final in 2009 with an undefeated record. However, despite their strong performance, their opponents, Pakistan, played even better, with Shahid Afridi scoring the key winning runs, pushing the Sri Lanka T20I team just short of the championship. This match also marked the first time the team reached the World Cup final in Sri Lanka T20I record.

2. 2012 World Twenty20

Just three years after their last final appearance, the Sri Lanka T20I team once again reached the World Cup final, a moment of great pride in Sri Lanka T20I history, especially since they were the host nation, playing on their home ground. Before this match, they had faced the West Indies four times in T20Is, winning all four encounters. With hopes of replicating this winning formula, everything turned around. Despite both teams having a shaky start, Sri Lanka was clearly suppressed by the opponent’s bowlers. Their opening batter, Tillakaratne Dilshan, was dismissed for a duck by Ravi Rampaul, and Sri Lanka eventually lost by 36 runs. This match remains one of the most regrettable moments in the Sri Lanka T20I record, as they failed to defend the championship on their own home turf.

3. 2014 World Twenty20

In Sri Lanka T20I history, although their World Cup performances have always been strong, they had never achieved the coveted championship. However, in 2014, they made their dream come true! In the final against the India T20I team, Sri Lanka made adjustments to their lineup by bringing in Thisara Perera to replace Seekkuge Prasanna, aiming to break India’s winning combination. Their strategy worked, and Mahela Jayawardene became the first batter to score 1,000 runs in an ICC World Twenty20. On April 6, 2014, the team successfully secured their first-ever World Cup title, marking a historic moment in the Sri Lanka T20I record.

Sri Lanka T20I Team：Together We Shine

In recent years, the Sri Lanka T20I team seems to have lost its way in this format. Since their World Cup win in 2014, their performances have been less than ideal, often falling short in the Super 12s or even exiting in the group stage. There is no denying the remarkable brilliance in the Sri Lanka T20I record in the past, and it will be intriguing to see how the team adjusts in the future to return to winning ways.