Sri Lanka vs England 2nd T20I Preview – Pitch, XI & Prediction

Cricket fans, get ready for another thrilling encounter! After England's dramatic 11-run DLS victory in the rain-affected first T20I, the stage is set for the second match of this crucial three-match series. Both teams are looking at this series as their final preparation ground before the T20 World Cup 2026, which kicks off on February 7. With England leading 1-0, can Sri Lanka level the series at home, or will Harry Brook's men seal the deal? Let's dive deep into everything you need to know about this must-watch clash at Pallekele!

Current Series Situation – England Takes the Lead

The first T20I was a proper thriller even though rain had its say. England won the toss, put Sri Lanka in to bat, and what followed was pure entertainment. Sam Curran grabbed headlines with England's first T20I hat-trick since Chris Jordan at the 2024 World Cup, dismissing Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, and Matheesha Pathirana in consecutive deliveries. Talk about drama!

But the real stars were England's spinners. Adil Rashid was absolutely unplayable with figures of 3 for 19, while Liam Dawson chipped in with crucial wickets. Sri Lanka, who were cruising at 75 for 1 after seven overs, collapsed to 133 all out in 16.2 overs. That's what happens when you can't handle quality spin on a turning track.

In reply, Phil Salt showed why he's rated as the world's number two T20I batter with a composed 46 off 35 balls. Tom Banton came in for the injured Ben Duckett and played a quickfire cameo of 29 off 14. England reached 125 for 4 in 15 overs when rain returned, and with them 11 runs ahead on DLS, the match was called off.

Now Sri Lanka desperately needs a win to stay alive in the series. Playing at home with the World Cup around the corner, they cannot afford another slip-up. The pressure is well and truly on Dasun Shanaka and his men.

Team News & Probable Playing XI

Sri Lanka Probable Playing XI:

Based on the first T20I and squad availability, Sri Lanka is likely to field a similar lineup with possibly one or two changes:

1. Pathum Nissanka
2. Kamil Mishara
3. Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper)
4. Dhananjaya de Silva
5. Charith Asalanka
6. Janith Liyanage / Dunith Wellalage
7. Dasun Shanaka (captain)
8. Wanindu Hasaranga
9. Maheesh Theekshana
10. Matheesha Pathirana
11. Eshan Malinga / Dushmantha Chameera

Sri Lanka might consider bringing in Dushmantha Chameera for Eshan Malinga to add more pace and experience to their bowling attack. The 2-24 from Malinga was decent, but Chameera's experience could be crucial. There's also talk about Dunith Wellalage possibly coming in for Janith Liyanage to strengthen the spin department, especially with the pitch expected to turn.

The real concern for Sri Lanka is their middle-order batting. After starting brilliantly at 75 for 1, losing nine wickets for just 58 runs is simply not acceptable at this level. Kusal Mendis made 37, but others failed to support him. Shanaka, Asalanka, and Dhananjaya need to step up big time.

England Probable Playing XI:

England are unlikely to make changes after a winning start:

1. Phil Salt
2. Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper)
3. Jacob Bethell
4. Tom Banton
5. Harry Brook (captain)
6. Sam Curran
7. Will Jacks
8. Jamie Overton
9. Liam Dawson
10. Jofra Archer
11. Adil Rashid

Ben Duckett is still out with a bruised right index finger sustained during the third ODI, so Tom Banton keeps his place at number four. The Somerset batter looked in good touch with his aggressive knock, and England will be pleased with how he grabbed his opportunity.

Jofra Archer's return after recovering from a side strain is massive for England. He bowled with good rhythm in the first T20I and will be key to their World Cup plans. Jamie Overton was impressive with 2 for 17 from 2.2 overs, using his heavy lengths effectively on the Pallekele surface.

The spin duo of Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson is working brilliantly. They picked up five wickets between them in the first match and will be crucial again on a pitch that's expected to assist spinners.

Key Players to Watch

For Sri Lanka:

Pathum Nissanka – This guy is in red-hot form! He smashed a 24-ball fifty in the third ODI and has been Sri Lanka's most explosive batter in recent times. His strike rate has jumped to 149.16 in T20Is in 2025, and he even scored a maiden T20I hundred against India last year. If he fires at the top, Sri Lanka can post a big total.

Wanindu Hasaranga – The all-rounder is Sri Lanka's main weapon with the ball. With 13 wickets in his last nine T20Is at an economy of 7.60, he can change games single-handedly. His battle against England's middle order will be fascinating to watch. Plus, he can tonk a few at the death with the bat.

Matheesha Pathirana – Despite not getting wickets in the first match, Pathirana was a constant threat with his Lasith Malinga-style slingers clocking 90mph. His unique action makes him incredibly difficult to pick, especially under lights. If he can find his rhythm early, England's batters could be in trouble.

For England:

Phil Salt – The world number two T20I batter is in phenomenal form. He's scored 393 runs at an average of 65.50 and strike rate of 174.66 in his last eight T20Is. Salt's aggressive approach in the powerplay sets the tone for England's innings. Watching him take on Pathirana and Hasaranga will be box-office stuff.

Adil Rashid – At 36 years old, Rashid is showing no signs of slowing down. His 3 for 19 in the first T20I took his tally to 148 T20I wickets. He's a master of his craft, mixing googlies and leg-breaks perfectly. On Pallekele's turning track, he could be the difference between winning and losing.

Sam Curran – After being smashed for 35 runs in his first two overs, Curran bounced back with a stunning hat-trick. That's character! His variations, including that famous "moonball" slower delivery, make him a nightmare to face in the death overs. His all-round abilities add great balance to England's side.

Pallekele Pitch Report & Conditions

The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has a reputation for being one of the better batting tracks in Sri Lanka, especially compared to the slow, low wickets in Colombo or Galle. But don't be fooled – this pitch has plenty of character!

Pitch Behavior:

The pitch at Pallekele typically offers good bounce and carry early on, which helps the fast bowlers get something out of the surface in the first six overs. Batters who play straight and time the ball well can score freely during the powerplay. We saw that in the first T20I when Sri Lanka raced to 75 for 1 in seven overs.

However, as the match progresses and especially under lights in night matches, the pitch tends to slow down considerably. This is when spinners come into their own. The surface starts gripping, and both leg-spinners and finger-spinners can extract turn and bounce. This was evident when Rashid and Dawson triggered Sri Lanka's collapse from 75 for 1 to 133 all out.

In T20s at Pallekele, the average first innings score is around 168, with teams batting first winning 14 out of 26 matches. That's a pretty balanced record, but the data suggests teams prefer to bat first and put runs on the board before the pitch deteriorates.

The boundaries at Pallekele are reasonable – the shortest being 75 meters and the longest 80 meters. Not too short, not too long – just right for exciting cricket where good shots get rewarded but mishits get caught.

Weather Forecast for February 1, 2026:

Good news for cricket fans! Unlike the first T20I which saw significant rain delays, the weather forecast for February 1 looks much better. Early February in Kandy generally sees clearer skies compared to late January.

Expected temperature: 26-28 degrees Celsius (comfortable conditions) Cloud cover: Partly cloudy in the evening Rain probability: Minimal to low (around 10-15%) Humidity: Expected to be high at around 75-85%, which could introduce dew factor in the second innings Wind: Light to moderate breeze

The high humidity means dew is likely to play a factor in the second half, making the ball slippery for bowlers. This traditionally favors teams chasing, as spinners find it harder to grip the ball and pacers struggle with their variations. Captains will definitely factor this in at the toss.

Match Prediction & Expert Opinion

This is a tough one to call! England clearly have the momentum after winning the first match, and their confidence is sky-high in the T20 format. They've been on fire recently, winning four of their last five T20Is. Their combination of explosive batting, quality spin, and Jofra Archer's pace makes them a formidable unit.

However, Sri Lanka are playing at home with everything to play for. They cannot let England seal the series with a game to spare, especially just days before the World Cup. The home crowd support, familiarity with conditions, and the desperation to bounce back make them dangerous opponents.

Key Battle Areas:

Powerplay contest: Sri Lanka's openers vs England's pace attack will set the tone. If Nissanka and Mishara can get Sri Lanka off to another flying start like the first match, they'll fancy their chances of posting 170-plus.

Spin vs middle order: How Sri Lanka's middle order handles Rashid and Dawson will be crucial. They collapsed miserably in the first match and simply cannot afford a repeat.

Death bowling: Both teams have quality death bowlers in Curran, Archer, Pathirana, and Malinga. The team that executes better in overs 16-20 could win the match.

Dew factor: If dew is heavy in the second innings, the chasing team gets a massive advantage. The toss could be match-defining.

Our Prediction:

England to win by 10-15 runs or 2-3 wickets (if they chase). They look the more balanced and confident side at the moment. However, if Sri Lanka's top order fires and they post 175-180, it could be a different story. On balance, England 60%, Sri Lanka 40%.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for 2nd T20I

Alright fantasy players, here's how to build a winning team for this crucial encounter!

Safe Picks (Must-Haves):

1. Phil Salt (England) – Form of his life, plays spin well, perfect for captain in small leagues
2. Adil Rashid (England) – Conditions suit him perfectly, guaranteed 6-8 points minimum
3. Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) – In red-hot form, explosive at the top
4. Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka) – All-rounder with both bat and ball impact
5. Sam Curran (England) – Match-winner with bat and ball, hat-trick hero

Captain & Vice-Captain Choices:

Small Leagues:

• Captain: Phil Salt (safe choice, consistent scorer)
• Vice-Captain: Adil Rashid (pitch suits him)

Grand Leagues:

• Captain: Pathum Nissanka (differential pick, explosive potential)
• Vice-Captain: Wanindu Hasaranga (can score big points with both skills)

Risky Differential Picks:

1. Matheesha Pathirana – If he gets early wickets with his unique action, points galore! High risk, high reward.
2. Tom Banton – Showed intent in first match, under-owned, could explode
3. Liam Dawson – Underrated but picked up crucial wickets, economy bonus likely
4. Dhananjaya de Silva – If he plays his natural game, can score big in middle overs

Balanced Fantasy XI Suggestion:

Wicketkeeper: Jos Buttler / Kusal Mendis Batters: Phil Salt, Pathum Nissanka, Harry Brook All-rounders: Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga, Liam Dawson Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Matheesha Pathirana, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton

Small League vs Grand League Strategy:

Small Leagues: Go with popular, safe picks. Salt, Rashid, Curran are must-haves as everyone will pick them. Focus on consistency over explosive potential.

Grand Leagues: You need differentials to rank high. Pick 2-3 risky players who others might avoid. Pathirana as captain could be a season-maker if he fires. Consider Banton or Dhananjaya if you want to be bold.

Pro Tip: Wait for team news before the toss! If Chameera plays for Sri Lanka or if England makes any surprise changes, adjust your team accordingly. Also, check which team bats first – if Sri Lanka bats first, load up on their batters; if they bowl first, pick more England batters considering the dew factor.

FAQs – Everything You Need to Know

Q1: When and where is the Sri Lanka vs England 2nd T20I being played?

The second T20I between Sri Lanka and England will be played on February 1, 2026, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The match starts at 7:00 PM local time (1:30 PM GMT / 7:00 PM IST). This is a day-night match played under floodlights.

Q2: What happened in the first T20I between Sri Lanka and England?

England won the first T20I by 11 runs (DLS method) in a rain-affected match. After restricting Sri Lanka to 133 all out in 16.2 overs (Adil Rashid 3-19, Sam Curran 3-38 including a hat-trick), England reached 125 for 4 in 15 overs when rain stopped play. They were 11 runs ahead on DLS when the match was called off.

Q3: Which team should you bet on for the 2nd T20I?

England are favorites based on current form and the first match result. They have a well-balanced side and are playing with great confidence in T20s. However, Sri Lanka are at home and desperate to level the series before the World Cup. If you're looking for value, Sri Lanka at home cannot be written off. England look safer bet at shorter odds though.

Q4: Who is the best captain choice for fantasy cricket in SL vs ENG 2nd T20I?

For small leagues, Phil Salt is the safest captain choice given his consistent form (65.50 average, 174.66 SR in last 8 T20Is). For grand leagues where you need differentials, consider Pathum Nissanka or Wanindu Hasaranga as captain options. Both have explosive potential and are less owned by fantasy players.

Q5: What is the weather forecast for Pallekele on February 1, 2026?

The weather looks much better for the second T20I compared to the first match. Forecasts show partly cloudy conditions with minimal rain probability (10-15%). Temperature will be around 26-28°C with high humidity of 75-85%, which could create dew in the second innings and favor the chasing team.

Q6: Why is Ben Duckett not playing for England?

Ben Duckett is unavailable for the T20I series after sustaining a bruised right index finger while fielding during the third ODI against Sri Lanka on January 27, 2026, at Colombo. Tom Banton has replaced him in the playing XI at number four.

Q7: How important is this series for both teams ahead of the T20 World Cup?

This series is crucial for both teams as their final preparation before the T20 World Cup 2026 which begins on February 7. England will play their Super 8 matches in Sri Lanka if they qualify from their group, so getting used to these conditions is vital. For Sri Lanka as co-hosts, performing well at home will boost confidence before the biggest tournament on home soil.