With the T20 World Cup knocking on the doors of hosts Sri Lanka, they are hosting England for a final T20I series, which will consist of three matches which is the last opportunity for the teams to finalize their XI for the marquee tournament. The final T20 World Cup squad is also expected to be announced in this ENG vs SL first T20I match and based on the performance of the players.
Former ICC T20 World Cup champions England won the title in 2022, their second T20 World Cup title under Jos Buttler. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has won the trophy only once, and that was back in 2014.
After a long time, Sri Lanka will officially host a tournament, and fans are eager to see their team come out and thrash all their opponents. The England series is their last opportunity to make it count before the final squad is announced for the ICC tournament in the 20-over format.
Here is a detailed preview of the SL vs ENG match, including match details, live streaming details, possible matchups, head-to-head records and more.
SL vs ENG 1st T20I Preview:
Date and Place: iconic place of Pallekele International Cricket Stadium England and Sri Lanka will host the first T20 match between the two teams, which will be played on Friday, January 30.
Sri Lanka vs England 1st T20I:
England team: Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethel, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tong, Luke Wood.
Sri Lanka team: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Zenith Perera, Dunith Wellage, Mahish Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dhananjay de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Zenith Liyange, Pawan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pramod Madushan, Mathisha Pathirana, Ishan Malinga.
SL vs ENG 1st T20I Probable XI:
England’s playing XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethel, Harry Brook, Will Jacques, Sam Curran, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue.
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Zenith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Vellaage, Dushmantha Chameera, Mahish Theekshana and Mathisha Pathirana/Ishan Malinga.
SL vs ENG 1st T20I Key Matches:
Phil Salt vs Mahesh Theekshana
The England batsman is known as one of the most explosive batsmen of this era. When he plays against England, he will be a big threat for the opposition team. Salt has proved time and again why he is known as the most dangerous batsman in the shortest format of the game.
In contrast, the Sri Lankan spinner, Mahesh Theekshana, is known for bowling the new ball in white-ball cricket. Trickery may be Salt’s only area of struggle, as he often struggles against spin bowling.
harry brooks vs wanindu hasaranga
Harry Brook, another explosive batsman of England. Although there are many such names throughout the English batting order, the two names mentioned are the most dangerous. Brook has shown what he is capable of by scoring an unbeaten century in 66 balls for England in the last ODI.
If England have Brook, Sri Lanka have their most reliable wicket-taker in Wanindu Hasaranga. The former Lankan captain is a real wicket-taker and commands the middle phase when he is in control of the entire game.
Pathum Nissanka vs. Jamie Overton
Despite having enough depth in Sri Lanka’s attack, it lacks something in the batting department. Opening is an important role for them and Pathum Nissanka is the right man for the job. He has not been able to perform consistently for the Lankans, but whenever he performs well, the team is in the driver’s seat.
All-rounder Jamie Overton has often taken the new ball for the Englishmen and has performed well in recent times. Especially Overton has performed brilliantly in the ODI leg of the Sri Lanka tour. Therefore, this match will be exciting from the fans’ point of view.
Charit Asalanka vs Adil Rashid
Former captain Charith Asalanka is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the Lankan batting line-up, and on the contrary, Adil Rashid is the most experienced and seasoned spinner for England. He is their showman in the middle overs and never fails to give England the much needed success during those phases.
The match between a leg spinner versus a left-handed batsman is always exciting as both try to move down the order. Adil Rashid is often an exciting spinner who not only depends on the ground conditions but also makes the conditions favorable for him.
Sri Lanka vs England 1st T20I Key Players:
England’s leading players: Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid and Jamie Overton
Major players of Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka and Dushmantha Chameera
SL vs ENG 1st T20I – Free Live Streaming & Telecast Details
TV broadcasting in India: The first T20 match between England and Sri Lanka will be telecast live on Sony Sports TEN network across India.
Online Live Streaming in India: Fans around the world can watch the match live on SonyLIV app and website. An active subscription will be required.
How to watch on television: Cricket fans can watch Sony Sports TEN Network channel for live telecast of England vs Sri Lanka 1st T20 match.
How to watch online on mobile and web: The live streaming will be done only through the SonyLIV platform, and cricket lovers can watch it from anywhere on their portable devices. FanCode will also have the facility of live streaming of the match.
Sri Lanka vs England 1st T20I Weather and Pitch Report – Pallekele
SL vs ENG 1st T20I: Weather report in Pallekele:
The Sri Lankan subcontinent is one of the most ideal places in the world to play cricket, especially at the moment. The iconic venue features moderate temperatures, which can reach up to 30 degrees, with partly cloudy skies. Although humidity will be moderate, chances of rain are very less.
Therefore, we can expect a flawless game of 40 overs with both the teams giving their 100%, with the climate as well as outfield conditions being conducive to the game.
SL vs ENG 1st T20I: Pitch report at Pallekele:
The pitch at Palkel is a medium pitch supporting both batsmen and bowlers. Batting first at this venue is slightly more advantageous, as the wind often plays a role in the second innings in island stadiums. The winning percentage of the team batting first on this ground is also 50%.
The biggest score on this ground is 263 runs, which was made by Sri Lanka against Australia and the biggest target was made by the home team against Australia itself. The outfield here is good and the pitch often caters to fast bowlers and spinners alike.
SL vs ENG 1st T20I Head-to-Head Records
| statistics | Matchbox | England won | won sl | Drag | Tied up | N.R. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| overall | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| in sri lanka | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| last 5 t20i | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SL vs ENG head-to-head record: key stats
England have not met Sri Lanka very often in the shortest format of the game, but whenever the two teams have met, the Three Lions have had the upper hand over Sri Lanka. England have won a total of 10 times over Sri Lanka, which has managed to win only 4 times.
The last time these two teams met was during the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup and since then they have not played a single match against each other. Their last bilateral T20I series came back in 2021, played ahead of the start of the ICC T20 World Cup in England.
SL vs ENG Head-to-Head Record: Last 5 Matches
Considering the last five matches, the Lankan team has lost to the Three Lions every time in the shortest format of the game. The England team has been dominant, be it the bilateral series 5 years ago or the ICC tournaments played in between.
England has managed to maintain a winning streak over Sri Lanka for a long time, almost 8 years, as Sri Lanka has not won any T20I match against this opponent since 2018.
Sri Lanka vs England head-to-head records—last 5 matches results:
- England won by 4 wickets on November 5, 2022
- England won by 26 runs on 1 November 2021
- England won by 89 runs on June 26, 2021
- England won by 5 wickets (DLS method) on June 24, 2021
- England won by 8 wickets on June 23, 2021
Sri Lanka vs England 1st T20I – Conclusion
Overall, the SL vs ENG 1st T20I, which will be played in Pallekele on January 30, will give them another chance to finally choose their best XI and take their best players to the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. This series is very important from the point of view of both the teams.
Also read: In a surprise move, former RCB star appointed Australia’s all-format captain ahead of T20 World Cup 2026