Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs England National Cricket Team Match: Sri Lanka will face England in the first of three T20 internationals at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Friday, as both sides gear up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The match is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM IST. The hosts come into the series under pressure after losing the recent three-match ODI series at home 2-1 to England. Led by Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka will aim to bounce back in front of their home crowd.
England, who won the ODI series, will look to maintain momentum and finalise combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup. Fans will be expecting strong performances from key players, including captain Harry Brook, Jos Buttler and Sam Curran.
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the first T20I on Saturday, Jan. 31, points to scattered thunderstorms during the day, with a high of 24 degrees Celsius and a 65 percent chance of rain. Conditions are expected to improve by evening, with cloud cover and a reduced chance of rain. Humidity is likely to remain high.
Pitch report
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is known for producing well-balanced pitches in T20 cricket. Of the 27 T20Is played here, teams batting first have won 14 matches, with the average first-innings total around 162. As matches progress, the surface tends to slow down and offer assistance to spinners, often making run chases more difficult. Sri Lanka have played 21 T20Is at the venue, winning 10 and losing eight, with two ties and one no result.
Squads
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.
England: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Luke Wood.
England Playing XI for 1s T20I Against Sri Lanka: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook(c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
Sri Lanka Probable Playing XI for 1s T20I Against England: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka(c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana.
Broadcast Details
The match will be broadcast live in India on the Sony Sports Network and will also be available for live streaming on SonyLIV and FanCode.