England will face Sri Lanka in 1stscheduled tribe T20 match at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on 30thth January 2026 at 7:00 PM IST With excitement in the air.
Get the best SL vs ENG Dream11 prediction, fantasy cricket tips, probable playing XI and match insight for the 1st T20I. Sri Lanka tour match of England tour 2026. Expert analysis and more.
SL vs ENG Match Preview:
The Sri Lanka vs England white-ball contest has now turned into a three-match T20I series, with the first T20I starting on 17th.th february. After completing the ODI phase, both teams will aim to adapt quickly to the shortest format. Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele, will host all three T20I matches of this series.
Meanwhile, Jos Buttler will lead the England team with experience and explosive batting at the top. On the other hand, Wanindu Hasaranga will captain Sri Lanka and his all-round ability will be important. England will rely heavily on players like Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Sam Curran and Adil Rashid, who add depth to both batting and bowling. On the contrary, Sri Lanka will look to Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka and Mahesh Theekshana to perform consistently.
So far, Sri Lanka and England have faced each other 14 times in T20I cricket, where England has won 10 matches, while Sri Lanka has won 4. Therefore, both teams enter the series with confidence and quality match-winners from both sides.
Overall, an exciting and competitive T20I series is expected, as both teams look to start strong and gain early momentum.
Also Read: IND vs NZ 5th T20I Preview: Free Live Streaming, Pitch & Weather Report, Head-to-Head, Stats & Records | New Zealand tour of India 2026
Sri Lanka vs England head-to-head record:
|
teams |
win the match |
|
Sri Lanka |
4 |
|
England |
10 |
Sri Lanka vs England weather and pitch report:
|
temperature |
22°C |
|
weather forecast |
clear sky |
|
pitch behavior |
batting friendly |
|
Best suited for |
spin |
|
Average score of first innings |
167 |
Records of chasing teams:
Sri Lanka vs England Playing 11 (Expected):
Sri Lanka playing 11:
1) Kusal Perera
2) Pathum Nissanka
3) Kusal Mendis (Wicketkeeper)
4) Zenith Lianaz
5) Charit Asalanka
6) Dhananjay de Silva
7) Dasun Shanaka ©
8) Wanindu Hasaranga
9) Mathisha Pathirana
10) Mahesh Dikshana
11) Dushmantha Chameera
England playing 11: :
1) Jos Buttler
2) Tom Banton
3) Phil Salt (Wicketkeeper)
4) Jacob Bethel
5) Harry Brook ©
6) Sam Curran
7) Adil Rashid
8) Will Jacques
9) Braydon Carse
10) Josh Tongue
11) Luke Wood
Sri Lanka vs England Hot Picks for Dream11 Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips:
Captaincy Choice:
|
Phil Salt – Providing explosive value as England’s wicketkeeper-batsman, he has scored 1,540 runs in 50 matches, boasting an extraordinary strike rate of 168.12 that keeps the bowling attack under constant pressure. |
|
Jos Buttler – Serving as the long-term leader of England’s batting unit, the right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman has scored 3,869 runs in 144 career matches, underscoring his consistent excellence and influence across all formats. |
Raises up:
|
Wanindu Hasaranga – Standing as Sri Lanka’s premier spin-bowling all-rounder, the right-handed batsman and leg-break specialist has taken 773 runs and an excellent 151 wickets in 92 matches, and has consistently led the attack with distinctive impact. |
|
Harry Brook – Establishing himself as the cornerstone of the middle-order for England, the right-handed batsman has scored 1,012 runs in 52 matches, including a strike rate above 150 with increasing consistency at the highest level. |
Budget Selection:
|
Brydon Carse – Operating as a right-arm medium pacer for England, he adds pace, bounce and disciplined seam control to the bowling attack. |
|
Pathum Nissanka – Opening Sri Lanka’s batting as a right-handed batsman, he provides dependable starts through good technique, patient shot selection and consistent strike rotation at the top. |
SL vs ENG England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 Captain and Vice-Captain Choices:
|
captain |
Jos Buttler and Phil Salt |
|
vice captain |
Harry Brooke and Wanindu Hasaranga |
SL vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Team 1:
- Keepers – Jos Buttler, Kusal Mendis, Phil Salt ©
- Batsmen – Ben Duckett, Charith Asalanka, Harry Brook
- All-rounders – Dhananjay de Silva, Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga (Vice-captain)
- Bowlers- Adil Rashid, Dushmantha Chameera
SL vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Team 2:
- Keeper – Jos Buttler©, Phil Salt
- Batsmen – Ben Duckett, Charith Asalanka, Harry Brook (Vice Captain), Pathum Nissanka
- Allrounder – Dhananjay de Silva, Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga
- Bowlers – Dushmantha Chameera, Brydon Carse
SL vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Today Match 1st T20I England tour of Sri Lanka 2026 Players to avoid:
|
player |
dream11 credit |
Dream11 Points (Last Match) |
|
Niroshan Dickwella |
7.5 credits |
No |
|
tom banton |
8.0 credit |
No |
SL vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Today Match 1st T20I England tour of Sri Lanka 2026 Expert Advice:
|
sl captaincy option |
Phil Salt |
|
gl captaincy option |
jos buttler |
|
choice of punt |
Brayden Carse and Pathum Nissanka |
|
dream11 combination |
3-3-3-2 |
Sri Lanka vs England Match Winner Prediction:
Based on head-to-head statistics, England is expected to win this match.
