Sri Lanka vs England 2nd T20I Prediction & Match Preview – Pallekele
Match summary
England lead the series after a rain-hit opener in which Sri Lanka collapsed for 133. Our 2nd T20I preview from Pallekele covers pitch, weather and XIs.
Match details
| Match | Sri Lanka vs England, 2nd T20I |
|---|---|
| Series | England tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
| Date | 1 Feb 2026 |
| Start time | 1:30 pm GMT / 7:00 pm local |
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | England |
| Toss pick | Sri Lanka |
Matches in this series
Match preview
Sri Lanka were well below their best in the series opener. Despite a promising start from Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, they were bowled out for 133 in 16.2 overs, and their bowlers struggled to control the scoring on a tricky surface. The hosts will want a much stronger showing on Sunday to keep the series alive.
England could hardly have asked for a better beginning. Sam Curran and Adil Rashid took three wickets each to keep Sri Lanka below par, and in the chase Phil Salt made the most of the powerplay to keep the Three Lions firmly in control before rain ended proceedings.
Teams that score 50 or more in the first six overs tend to set the tone here, and the early new-ball movement means the powerplay will matter for both sides.
Pallekele generally gives bat and ball an even contest in limited-overs cricket. A fresh wicket helps fast bowlers with some movement and bounce early on, then the surface flattens and becomes friendlier for stroke play. Spinners come into the game as the ball softens, and batters who build an innings are usually rewarded.
Warm and slightly humid conditions are expected around 7:00 pm local time, with temperatures near 30–32 °C and partly cloudy skies. There is a small chance of brief evening showers, but any interruption should be short.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 160–175 | – |
| Second innings | 155–170 | – |
England
England controlled the opener with bat and ball, while Sri Lanka collapsed and struggled to contain runs on a tricky surface.
Toss pick: Sri Lanka
FAQ
Who is favoured in Sri Lanka vs England, 2nd T20I?
Our preview picks England, who made a strong start to the three-match series.
What happened in the first T20I?
Sri Lanka were bowled out for 133 in 16.2 overs. England were well placed in the chase, with Phil Salt prominent, before rain stopped play.
What is a strong total at Pallekele?
Chasing 165–170 is competitive, and anything above 170 batting first is a strong score.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Sri Lanka
- Dasun Shanakac
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kamil Mishara
- Kusal Mendis
- Kusal Perera
- Charith Asalanka
- Janith Liyanage
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Eshan Malinga
England
- Phil Salt
- Jos Buttlerwk
- Jacob Bethell
- Tom Banton
- Harry Brookc
- Sam Curran
- Will Jacks
- Jamie Overton
- Liam Dawson
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
Head-to-head
Earlier meetings of Sri Lanka and England that we covered.