Sri Lanka will look to even the series as they face England in the second T20I on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. After winning the first match, England will aim to secure the series, while Sri Lanka hopes to fight back.
Sri Lanka
After losing the first T20I by 11 runs through the DLS method due to rain, Sri Lanka is eager to bounce back. The match was reduced to 17 overs, where Sri Lanka posted 133 runs. Kusal Mendis led the batting with 37 runs off 20 balls. England chased down the revised target of 115 runs, scoring 125 runs. Matheesha Pathirana was the notable bowler for Sri Lanka, taking 1 wicket for 18 runs in 4 overs. With two matches left, the team aims to level the series.
England
England continued their winning streak with a solid performance in the first match, bowling out Sri Lanka cheaply. Sam Curran and Adil Rashid were key bowlers, with Curran taking a hat-trick and Rashid claiming three wickets for 19 runs. Phil Salt’s aggressive batting, scoring 46 runs off 35 balls and Tom Banton’s 29 runs off 15 balls, helped England achieve their target. A win in the second match will secure the series for them.
SL vs ENG T20I Match Details
| SL vs ENG T20I Match Details | |
| Match | Sri Lanka vs England 2nd T20I Match |
| Date and Time | Sunday, February 1; 7:00 p.m. IST |
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele |
| Broadcasting and Live Streaming | TV – Sony Sports Network, Live Stream – FanCode/SonyLiv |
SL vs ENG 2nd T20I Pitch Report
The pitch at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium typically offers a good balance for both batters and bowlers. Batters can score runs comfortably, while bowlers are expected to take wickets, especially in the middle overs. Fast bowlers will enjoy bounce early in the innings, but conditions may favor batters as the match progresses. The average first-innings score here is 167 runs.
SL vs ENG T20I Weather Report
The weather in Pallekele is anticipated to be cloudy and humid at the start of the match, with a 16% chance of rain. It will be warm, typical of Sri Lankan weather, with humidity around 50-60%. The maximum temperature is expected to range from 28 to 30 °C.
SL vs ENG Head-to-Head Records
| SL vs ENG head-to-head (in T20Is) | |
| Matches Played | 15 |
| Won by Sri Lanka | 4 |
| Won by England | 11 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
SL vs ENG 2nd T20I Probable XI
- Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Maheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.
- England: Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Phil Salt (wk), Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton.
Players To Watch Out For In SL vs ENG 2nd T20I Match
- Dasun Shanaka | SL: The Sri Lankan captain contributes with both bat and ball. He scored 20 runs and took one wicket in the first match. With experience in 110 T20I innings, he has amassed 1742 runs and taken 42 wickets.
- Phil Salt | ENG: An aggressive batter, Salt attacks from the first ball. He has played 47 innings in T20Is, scoring 1586 runs, including four centuries. After scoring 46 runs in the first match, he remains a key player.
SL vs ENG Toss Prediction
Historical Toss-Winning Stats at the Venue
- In the last four T20 matches at this venue, the teams that won the toss have opted to bowl first on all occasions.
Advantages of Batting First on This Pitch
- The team batting first has won 13 out of 28 T20I matches played here, indicating a slight advantage for the toss winner opting to bat first.
SL vs ENG Today’s Match Scenario
Scenario 1
- Toss Winner: Sri Lanka (opts to bat first)
- Power-Play Score: 42-45
- SL Total: 150-165
- Match Winner: Sri Lanka
Scenario 2
- Toss Winner: England (opts to bat first)
- Power-Play Score: 48-52
- ENG Total: 175-185
- Match Winner: England
Who Will Win Today’s SL vs ENG T20I Match?
Following their success in the ODI series, England, led by Harry Brook, aims to clinch the T20I series. With strong performances behind them, they are favored to win the second match and secure the series, building momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup.
