Sri Lanka will face England in the first T20I of the England tour of Sri Lanka 2026, which will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Friday. Sri Lanka's start to the ODI series was strong with a win, but they soon lost their rhythm and lost the next two matches. England bounced back well after the loss in the 1st ODI and won the series by 1-2.  

Skipper Harry Brook managed to score 136 runs in the previous game with only 66 deliveries. Adil Rashid was the top wicket-taker in the series, taking 7 wickets in three games. England will have high hopes for both to continue their red-hot form. Sri Lanka has included Pavan Rathnayake in their T20I squad because he scored 121 runs off 115 balls in the third ODI against England.

Also Read: SL vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Today: 1st T20I, England Tour of Sri Lanka, 2026 Fantasy Cricket Tips, Team, and Pitch Report

SL vs ENG Match Details

• Match: Sri Lanka vs England, 1st T20I 

• Date: 30th January 2026

• Time: 7.00 PM IST

• Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

• Live Streaming: FanCode

SL vs ENG Weather Report

Pitch Report - Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

The pitches at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium are generally good for batting. The surfaces here are not as rough and rough as other venues in the country. 

Top Batters to Watch – SL vs ENG

• Harry Brook (ENG): 184 runs in this Series 

• Pavan Rathnayake (SL): 162 runs in this Series

• Kusal Mendis (SL): 139 runs in this Series 

Top Bowlers to Watch – SL vs ENG

• Adil Rashid (ENG): 7 wickets in Series

• Liam Dawson (ENG): 5 wickets in Series

• Dhananjaya de Silva (SL): 4 wickets in Series 

SL vs ENG Recent Form

SL vs ENG Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If SL Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 40–50

• Predicted Total: 150-160

• Match Result: ENG to win

Scenario 2: If ENG Bat First

• Powerplay Score: 50–60

• Predicted Total: 165–180

• Match Result: ENG to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

SL vs ENG Predicted Playing XIs

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera.

England 

Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (captain), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.

SL vs ENG Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

According to our SL vs ENG today match prediction, England are the favourites to win the 1st T20I match. The likes of Phil Salt, Jos Buttler and Harry Brook will be key players to watch out for.

SL vs ENG Match FAQs