England will take on Sri Lanka in the 1st T20I match at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on 30th 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 insights for the 1st T20I match of the England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026. Expert analysis and more.
SL vs ENG Match Preview:
The Sri Lanka vs England white-ball contest now shifts to the three-match T20I series, with the first T20I set to begin on 17th February. After completing the ODI leg, 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.
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Meanwhile, Jos Buttler will lead the England side, bringing experience and explosive batting at the top. On the other hand, Wanindu Hasaranga will captain Sri Lanka, and his all-round abilities will remain crucial. England will rely heavily on players like Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, and Adil Rashid, who add depth in both batting and bowling. In contrast, Sri Lanka will look towards Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Maheesh Theekshana to deliver consistent performances.
So far, Sri Lanka and England have faced each other 14 times in T20I cricket, where England have won 10 matches, while Sri Lanka have secured 4 victories. Therefore, both teams enter the series with confidence and quality match-winners on 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
SL vs ENG Head-to-Head Record:
|
Teams |
Matches Won |
|
Sri Lanka |
4 |
|
England |
10 |
SL vs ENG Weather & Pitch Report:
|
Temperature |
22°C |
|
Weather Forecast |
Clear Sky |
|
Pitch Behaviour |
Batting-friendly |
|
Best Suited To |
Spin |
|
Average 1st innings score |
167 |
Record of chasing teams:
SL vs ENG Playing 11s (Predicted):
Sri Lanka Playing 11:
1) Kusal Perera
2) Pathum Nissanka
3) Kusal Mendis (wk)
4) Janith Liyanage
5) Charith Asalanka
6) Dhananjaya de Silva
7) Dasun Shanaka ©
8) Wanindu Hasaranga
9) Matheesha Pathirana
10) Maheesh Theekshana
11) Dushmantha Chameera
England Playing 11:
1) Jos Buttler
2) Tom Banton
3) Phil Salt (wk)
4) Jacob Bethell
5) Harry Brook ©
6) Sam Curran
7) Adil Rashid
8) Will Jacks
9) Brydon Carse
10) Josh Tongue
11) Luke Wood
Hot Picks for SL vs ENG Dream11 Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips:
Captaincy Picks:
|
Phil Salt – Providing explosive value as England’s wicketkeeper-batter, he has compiled 1,540 runs from 50 matches, distinguished by an exceptional strike rate of 168.12 that keeps bowling attacks under constant pressure. |
|
Jos Buttler – Operating as a long-standing leader of England’s batting unit, the right-handed wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 3,869 runs in 144 career outings, underlining his sustained excellence and influence across formats. |
Top Picks:
|
Wanindu Hasaranga – Standing out as Sri Lanka’s premier spin-bowling all-rounder, the right-handed batter and leg-break specialist has delivered 773 runs and an outstanding 151 wickets across 92 matches, consistently spearheading the attack with elite impact. |
|
Harry Brook – Establishing himself as a middle-order cornerstone for England, the right-handed batter has accumulated 1,012 runs in 52 appearances, combining a strike rate above 150 with growing consistency at the highest level. |
Budget Picks:
|
Brydon Carse – Featuring for England as a right-arm medium-fast bowler, he adds pace, bounce, and disciplined seam control to the bowling attack. |
|
Pathum Nissanka – Opening Sri Lanka’s batting as a right-handed batter, he provides dependable starts through sound 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 & Phil Salt |
|
Vice-Captain |
Harry Brook & Wanindu Hasaranga |
SL vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Team 1:
- Keeper – Jos Buttler, Kusal Mendis, Phil Salt ©
- Batters – Ben Duckett, Charith Asalanka, Harry Brook
- All-rounders – Dhananjaya de Silva, Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga (vc)
- Bowlers – Adil Rashid, Dushmantha Chameera
SL vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Team 2:
- Keeper – Jos Buttler ©, Phil Salt
- Batters – Ben Duckett, Charith Asalanka, Harry Brook (vc), Pathum Nissanka
- All-rounders – Dhananjaya 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:
|
Players |
Dream11 Credits |
Dream11 Points (Last match) |
|
Niroshan Dickwella |
7.5 credits |
NA |
|
Tom Banton |
8.0 credits |
NA |
SL vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Today Match 1st T20I England Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 Expert Advice:
|
SL Captaincy Choice |
Phil Salt |
|
GL Captaincy Choice |
Jos Buttler |
|
Punt Picks |
Brydon Carse and Pathum Nissanka |
|
Dream11 Combination |
3-3-3-2 |
SL vs ENG Match Winner Prediction:
Based on the head-to-head statistics, England is expected to win this match.