The victory comes after England's 2-1 ODI series win earlier this week, providing momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next month.
After losing the toss, Sri Lanka were asked to bat in a rain-reduced 17-over contest. The hosts initially looked comfortable as Pathum Nissanka (23) and Kusal Mendis (37) built a 52-run second-wicket partnership. But England's spinners turned the match on its head. Adil Rashid (3-19) and Liam Dawson (2-31) ripped through the middle order, triggering a dramatic collapse that saw Sri Lanka lose five wickets in as many overs.
Curran, who had been expensive in his first two overs, finished the job in style. He dismissed Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka (20) and lower-order batters Maheesh Theekshana (0) and Matheesha Pathirana (0) in consecutive deliveries to record England's second-ever T20 international hat-trick. Jamie Overton (2-17) wrapped up the innings soon after, leaving Sri Lanka all out for 133 in 16.2 overs.
England's chase began explosively. Opener Phil Salt, the world's second-ranked T20 batter, took full advantage of early misses by the Sri Lankan fielders, striking 46 from 35 balls. Jos Buttler contributed with quickfire boundaries before falling to Eshan Malinga, while Tom Banton added 29 off 15 balls, including back-to-back sixes off Wanindu Hasaranga. Rain intervened with England needing nine runs from 12 deliveries, and the umpires ended the match with the tourists ahead on DLS.
Curran's hat-trick is a personal milestone for the Surrey all-rounder, who returned to England's white-ball squads in September after a five-month absence. He joins Chris Jordan as the only England players to claim a T20 international hat-trick, Jordan having done so in the 2024 T20 World Cup against the United States.
The win also extended England's T20 dominance over Sri Lanka, marking their ninth consecutive victory in the format against the island nation. Curran's performance, coupled with Salt's power hitting, underscores England's growing depth ahead of the World Cup, where they open against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will need to address their middle- and lower-order vulnerabilities before facing Ireland in Colombo later the same day.
The second T20 in the three-match series takes place on Sunday at the same venue, with England seeking to wrap up the series ahead of the final game on Tuesday. With Curran in fine form and Salt leading the batting charge, England appear well-placed to carry their momentum into the global tournament.
Quinton de Kock produced a stunning innings at SuperSport Park as South Africa chased down a huge target to beat West Indies by seven wickets in the second T20I in Centurion, sealing the series with a match to spare.
Pakistan opened their T20 International series against Australia with a confident 22-run victory in the first match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday.
Sri Lanka have named a 16-player squad for a three-match T20 International series against England, using the contest as their final rehearsal ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
England's long wait for an away one-day international series victory ended in emphatic fashion as a breathtaking blend of control and power from Joe Root and Harry Brook sealed a 53-run win over Sri Lanka in Colombo and a 2-1 series success.
