Sri Lanka will have to do it "the hard way" if they are to make the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup after a chastening defeat to England on Sunday, admitted their batting coach.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The co-hosts were routed for 95 chasing 147 in Kandy, meaning they need to win their two remaining Super Eight games to have a chance of qualifying.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Even that may not be enough as they now have a poor net run rate, something that could be crucial in a tight group.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka are bottom of Super Eights Group 2 on zero points, below New Zealand and Pakistan on one point each after their match on Saturday was washed out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
England are top on two points and can all-but qualify for the last four with a win over Pakistan at the same Kandy venue on Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Sri Lanka, next up are New Zealand in Colombo on Wednesday, leaving little time to regroup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We have no choice now but to win our next two games. We will do it the hard way," Sri Lanka batting coach Vikram Rathour told reporters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka, a centurion against Australia, fell for nine exposing Sri Lank's shaky middle order and they folded in 16.4 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"When your best batter is dismissed early, you tend to struggle and that's what happened today," said Rathour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka were never in the hunt after slumping to 34-5 inside the six-over power play as Jofra Archer took two wickets with extreme pace at one end and Will Jacks claimed three at the other with his off-spin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Disappointing game, yes. We should have chased that down," said Rathour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It was a tacky wicket as it was under cover for a while. After losing a few wickets, it was tough to get back into the game."<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2026\/02\/dasun-shanaka-(1).jpg", "alt_img": "Sri Lanka Have To Qualify 'The Hard Way' After England Drubbing", "alt_title": "Sri Lanka Have To Qualify 'The Hard Way' After England Drubbing", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Sri Lanka Must Do It the \u201cHard Way\u201d After England Defeat, Says Batting Coach On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Sri Lanka face an uphill battle to reach the T20 World Cup semi-finals after a heavy loss to England, with coach Vikram Rathour admitting they must win both remaining Super Eight games.", "seo_keywords": "Sri Lanka Vs England, ICC T20 World Cup 2026", "tag": null, "tagging": "Sri Lanka Vs England,ICC T20 World Cup 2026,", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "sri-lanka-have-to-qualify-the-hard-way-after-england-drubbing", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "1", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "377", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2026-02-23 08:12:21", "updated": "2026-02-23 08:43:41", "img_from": "Image Source: AFP", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Sri Lanka Vs England, ICC T20 World Cup 2026", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "1", "posted_by": "19", "jio_date": "2026-02-23 08:12:21", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": "Select", "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/sri-lanka-have-to-qualify-the-hard-way-after-england-drubbing-189166" }