England became the second team from Group 1 to qualify for the semifinals after New Zealand.
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a modest 141/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Pathum Nissanka was the top scorer with 67 off 45 balls.
Adil Rashid was the stand-out bowler for England, claiming one wicket by conceding only 16 runs in his four overs. Mark Wood also returned with impressive figures of 3/26 in his three overs.
In reply, the Three Lions got off to a blazing start as the duo of Jos Buttler and Alex Hales put on 75 runs for the opening wicket in double quick time.
Wanindu Hasaranga broke the partnership in the 8th over by dismissing Buttler on 28, which triggered a collapse. While Hales too fell against Hasaranga in the 10th over for 47, the likes of Harry Brook (4), Liam Livingstone (4), Moeen Ali (1) and Sam Curran (6) got out on a single-digit score.
All of a sudden, England found themselves in a spot of bother at 129/6 after 18 overs. However, seasoned campaigner Ben Stokes held his nerves and took England over the line in 19.4 overs with an unbeaten knock of 42 in 36 balls.
With this victory, England knocked Australia out of the T20 World Cup and became the second team from Group 1 to qualify for the semifinals after New Zealand.
Cricket experts shared their views on Twitter as England made it to the semifinals while knocking the defending champions out of the T20 World Cup.
Here are the reactions: