England kick off their Super Eight campaign at the 2026 T20 World Cup against co-hosts Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, February 22. Both sides are placed in Group 2 alongside New Zealand and Pakistan, with a semi-final berth on the line.
Harry Brook’s England had an uneven group stage. They edged past Nepal in their opener before falling to the West Indies, which heaped pressure on their remaining fixtures. The side responded well, chasing down 153 to beat Scotland before defeating Italy by 24 runs to finish second in Group C.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, hit the ground running with a 20-run win over Ireland, then demolished Oman by 105 runs. They sealed their Super Eight spot in style Pathum Nissanka struck an unbeaten century as they chased down 182 to beat Australia by eight wickets. A six-wicket defeat to Zimbabwe in their final group match, though inconsequential to qualification, brought their winning streak to an end on home soil in Colombo.
Where to Watch
In India, the match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Live streaming is available on the JioHotstar app and website.
Also Read: Oman vs Australia: Zampa Opens Up On Australia’s T20 World Cup Flop
Head-to-Head
The two sides have met 17 times in T20 Internationals. England hold a commanding record with 13 wins against Sri Lanka’s four.
Pitch Report
The Pallekele surface is typically batter-friendly in the early overs, offering consistent bounce. As the match progresses, the pitch tends to slow down significantly, making conditions increasingly favorable for spin bowlers. Average T20I scores at this venue fall in the range of 162–172.
Weather Report
Weather could play a spoilsport on Sunday. Reports indicate Pallekele may experience light to heavy showers, casting doubt over an uninterrupted match. There is also approximately a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms during the day.
Squads
England: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dushan Hemantha, Dilshan Madushanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Perera, Janith Liyanage, Pathum Nissanka, Pramod Madushan, Pavan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage
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