Sri Lanka and England will be on the same ground on February 22 for the eight-match round of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Who will win the high-voltage match under the constant threat of rain? Let’s find out.
The following article contains a detailed preview of England vs Sri Lanka, Round 8 of T20 World Cup 2026. The article will include details of their probable playing XI, best probable player, head-to-head record and telecast of the game along with weather and pitch report at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Balagolla, Sri Lanka on February 22.
ENG vs SL T20 World Cup Match Preview:
Match Date: England vs Sri Lanka match will be played on Sunday, February 22.
Venue: The match will be held at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Balagolla, Sri Lanka.
Timing: The match is scheduled to start at 3.00 PM IST.
Full squad of England vs Sri Lanka:
England cricket team: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethel, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tong, Luke Wood.
Sri Lanka Cricket Team: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Zenith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Zenith Liyanage, Pawan Rathnayake, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellelage, Mahish Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Mathisha Pathirana, Ishan Malinga.
England vs SL Probable XI:
England playing XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethel, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacques, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.
Sri Lanka Playing 11: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pawan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellelage, Dushmantha Chameera, Mahish Theekshana, Mathisha Pathirana.
Key battles of ENG vs SL T20 World Cup match:
1.Pathum Nissanka vs Joffra Archer:
Pathum Nissanka and Jofra Archer are expected to meet during the early stages of the match. The opener’s recent form has been an asset for the Sri Lankan cricket team. On the other hand, Jofra Archer is the key face of England’s pace attack, although he has not been able to perform as per expectations so far. If Archer is not able to do his work properly then England may have to suffer the consequences.
2. Kusal Mendis vs Adil Rashid:
Due to subcontinental conditions, spinners are often considered the key card of any team participating in the ongoing competition. Like Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid also failed to perform up to his potential. Another in-form Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Mendis, who has already scored several half-centuries in the tournament, would love to face the English spinner.
3. Harry Brook vs Mahesh Theekshana:
Harry Brook, the captain of the England white ball team, is known for his aggressive batting approach. And Mahesh Theekshana has proved why he is a must for the Sri Lankan cricket team. He is not only a wicket taking bowler but also a bowler who takes wickets in the most economical manner. Theekshana will test Brooke’s nerves in the match.
ENG vs SL Key Players:
Key England players: Phil Salt, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer.
Sri Lanka’s key players: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera and Mahesh Theekshana.
ENG vs SL Live Streaming and Broadcast:
ENG vs SL broadcast in India: The England vs Sri Lanka match will be telecast live on Star Sports Network across India.
Online Live Streaming in India: ICC T20 World Cup 2026 matches can be live streamed on Jio HotStar app with an active subscription.
Weather and Pitch Report of England vs SL T20 World Cup Match—Sri Lanka:
ENG vs SL Weather Report in Balagolla:
At the moment, the possible weather conditions may not be very suitable for a cricket match. According to the weather report, Balagola will see periods of rain with strong thunderstorm on 22nd February. If the news is true then the match between England and Sri Lanka may be disrupted due to bad weather.
However, the weather may change in the coming few hours. In recent days, there was a constant threat of rain looming over the matches. But proving the predictions wrong, the games went on as per the original schedule.
England vs SL Pitch Report at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Balagolla:
Traditionally, the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Balagolla offers a spin-friendly surface. Technically strong batsmen can also score a sufficient amount of runs on the surface with patience. A balanced contest between bat and ball can be expected on February 22, 2026.
ENG vs SL head-to-head records:
According to ESPNcricinfo, Sri Lanka and England have been involved in 17 Twenty20 Internationals since 2006. With a win ratio of 76.74, the England national cricket team won 13 matches, while the Sri Lankan cricket team won the remaining four matches, taking their win ratio against England to 23.52.
| Matchbox | England won | won sl | Drag | tie | no results |
| overall | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| in the last 5 matches | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| In T20 World Cup | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
ENG vs SL results of last 5 matches:
1. Sri Lanka vs England – England won by 12 runs at Pallekele on February 3, 2026.
2. Sri Lanka vs England – England won by 6 wickets at Pallekele on February 1, 2026.
3. Sri Lanka vs England – England won by 11 runs at Pallekele on January 30, 2026.
4. Sri Lanka vs England – England won by 4 wickets on November 5, 2026 at Sydney.
5. Sri Lanka vs England – England won by 26 runs at Sharjah on November 1, 2021.
ENG vs SL T20 World Cup Match – Conclusion:
In most of the cases in this format, England had the upper hand over Sri Lanka. England has won every time in the last 5 matches. But the recent trend seems different. Sri Lanka have been in good form while England survived some close encounters in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026. It is difficult to predict the winner. With home advantage, Sri Lanka can use this moment to continue their excellent form.
read more: Mathisha Pathirana replacement in KKR: 3 players who can replace the ₹18 crore fast bowler for IPL 2026
