Sri Lanka vs England 2nd T20I Match Preview – February 1, 2026

Match Details

• Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026
• Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
• Start Time: 1:30 PM GMT | 7:00 PM IST | 7:00 PM Local
• Series: 2nd of 3 T20Is in the England tour of Sri Lanka 2026
• Tournament Context: Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026

Match Overview

The second T20I between Sri Lanka and England will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, a venue known for its batting-friendly conditions and consistent run-scoring. The first T20I saw England dominate, winning comfortably and extending their winning streak in the series. With the World Cup on the horizon, both teams will look to fine-tune their strategies and test their depth.

England, led by the in-form Harry Brook, will aim to maintain momentum and secure a series victory. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, having failed to win a T20I against England in their last five encounters, will be eager to break the pattern and register their first win of the series.

Team Form & Performance

England:

England were in total control in the first match, with a balanced all-round performance. Phil Salt and Tom Banton provided strong contributions with the bat, while Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson were instrumental with the ball. The team’s depth and adaptability to different conditions will be key in this series.

• Captain: Harry Brook
• Key Players: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, and Jofra Archer (if fit)
• Strengths: Balanced batting line-up, world-class spin and pace options
• Recent Form: Strong in T20Is, particularly on spinning tracks

Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka struggled in the first T20I, scoring just 133 in a rain-affected innings. Kusal Mendis was the standout performer with the bat, but the rest of the batting order failed to fire. The bowling unit, led by Matheesha Pathirana and Eshan Malinga, offered support but wasn’t enough to challenge England.

• Captain: Dasun Shanaka
• Key Players: Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana
• Strengths: Spin bowling depth, aggressive batting in the middle overs
• Recent Form: Inconsistent, but with talent to turn the tide

Head-to-Head Record

• Last 5 Matches (2021–2026):
  • England Wins: 5
  • Sri Lanka Wins: 0
• England has dominated the recent encounters, winning by margins of 11 runs, 4 wickets, 26 runs, 89 runs, and 5 wickets.

Pitch & Weather Report

• Pallekele International Cricket Stadium:
  • Average First Innings Score (2022–2026): 154–180
  • Pitch Conditions: Batting-friendly, with some assistance for spinners in the middle and death overs
  • Win Percentage (Batting First vs Batting Second): 44.4% vs 55.6%
• Weather Forecast:
  • Moderate temperatures, with slight cloud cover and possible light drizzle in the afternoon
  • Wind speeds may assist seamers, but overall conditions are expected to be conducive for batting

Probable XIs

Sri Lanka (2nd T20I):

• Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Kamil Mishara (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Pramod Madushan, Eshan Malinga.

England (2nd T20I):

• Squad: Harry Brook (c), Tom Banton (wk), Jos Buttler (wk), Phil Salt (wk), Ben Duckett (wk), Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood, Jofra Archer.

Players to Watch

Sri Lanka:

• Kusal Mendis: The experienced opener and wicketkeeper, who has shown form in the first match
• Wanindu Hasaranga: England’s main threat with his leg-spin
• Eshan Malinga: Effective with cutters and variations, crucial in the death overs
• Matheesha Pathirana: The pick of the bowlers in the first match, with a tight economy

England:

• Phil Salt: Adaptable and explosive, key to stabilizing or accelerating the innings
• Harry Brook: Captain and match-winner, with a strong record in recent T20Is
• Adil Rashid: England’s spin anchor, with consistent wicket-taking ability
• Liam Dawson: A reliable all-rounder, especially in the middle and death overs

Toss Prediction & Match Outlook

• Toss Prediction: England
• Match Winner Prediction: England
• Expected First Innings Score: 170–180
• Predicted Margin: 6–10 wickets

England’s superior all-round strength and recent dominance over Sri Lanka make them the clear favorites. However, Sri Lanka has the talent to spring a surprise, particularly if the spinners can contain the English batters in the middle overs.

Key Stats & Match Prediction

Conclusion

The second T20I promises to be another high-scoring encounter at Pallekele. While England’s all-round depth and recent form give them the edge, Sri Lanka must find consistency in their batting and exploit spin options to compete. England, with their balanced squad and experience, are expected to take the win and continue their dominance in the series.

Final Prediction: England by 8 wickets
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