SL vs ENG Prediction, T20I Series 2026, Match 1, Match Winner, Team, Playing XI and Pitch Report

Sri Lanka will take on England in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele, starting on Friday, January 30.

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Sri Lanka, led by Dasun Shanka, is entering this series after leveling their most recent T20I series against Pakistan 1-1 in January 2026. On the other hand, England, led by Harry Brook, bagged a 1-0 T20I series win over New Zealand way back in October 2025.

SL vs ENG, T20I Series 2026, Match 1, Match Details

Match: Sri Lanka vs England, T20I Series 2026, Match 1

Time & Date: 2:30 PM IST, Friday, January 30

Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

SL vs ENG, T20I Series 2026, Match 1 Pitch Report

The average first innings score at this venue is 151 in the last three T20Is played here. Considering the dew factor, we can expect the captain, who won the toss, to bowl first and put a lot of pressure on the opposition.

SL vs ENG, T20I Series 2026, Match 1 Probable XIs

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana.

England

Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.

SL vs ENG, T20I Series 2026, Match 1 Winner Prediction

Match Winner: England.

These two sides have played 14 T20Is against each other with England winning 10 of them to take a dominating lead. Moreover, England dominated in the past five outings against Sri Lanka, winning all of them quite comfortably. Despite home advantage on their side, we can expect Sri Lanka to suffer a loss in this game.

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