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Buttler smashed an unbeaten 101 off 67 balls to rescue England
from a top order wobble and effected two run outs as Eoin
Morgan's men stood on the brink of the semi-finals after their
fourth win in as many matches.
Buttler also became the first Englishman to score an
international hundred in all three formats and led the team as
they walked off the field.
"It's right up there, isn't it? Hopefully there's still more
good days to come, but certainly enjoyed today," the 31-year-old
said after playing what his captain Eoin Morgan also called "one
of his best ever innings in an England shirt".
"To put in a performance in a World Cup, they're all must-win
games in this tournament, so yeah, delighted," Buttler said.
For the first time in the tournament, England's batting looked
under pressure after Sri Lankan spinners restricted them to 36-3
in the powerplay.
Buttler collaborated with Morgan before accelerating, bringing
up his maiden Twenty20 International century with his sixth six
off the final ball of the innings.
He joined Heather Knight as the only England batters with
centuries in all three international formats.
"It's probably something I'll look back on at some point, and
it's a nice accolade to have," he said.
"I think there will be a few more guys who achieve that feat as
well. I'm just looking at today, just what it means for the team
and what it means for us in the competition, that means way
more."
After Sri Lanka began their chase, Morgan and Buttler drew first
blood when they combined to run out Sri Lanka opener Pathum
Nissanka in the first over.
Buttler later removed his gloves and threw down the wicket to
run out Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka, whose 26-run cameo had
rekindled Sri Lankan hopes of an upset win.
"The run out was probably the most favourite bit of my day,"
Buttler said.
Unbeaten England face South Africa in their final Group I match
on Saturday. (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in Sharjah; editing
by Pritha Sarkar)
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