Now, it is time for the next phase of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the round of eight. In this stage, a new level of rivalry will be unlocked, and some of the best teams will have to say goodbye. On February 22, for Match No. 42 of the tournament, Sri Lanka and England will have guns loaded for a scorching battle.
Through this article, cricket fans can take a deep look into the playing XIs of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka, the co-host of the T20 World Cup 2026, stormed into this round, proving pure dominance in the group stage. Though England had some tough times in their group clashes. But still, they survived the grind and landed safely to play the round of eight matches.
Sri Lanka Playing XI vs ENG—ICC T20 World Cup 2026:
Openers: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara.
Australia is evidence of what can happen if Pathum Nissanka walks into the crease with his scoring bat. The batter with clutch form will be in the center of the stage on Match Number 42. His opening partner, Kamil Mishara, has been providing the necessary support to Nissanka without making any mistake. England bowlers will have to collide with these two openers in this round of the brawl.
Middle-order: Kusal Mendis (w), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha.
Along with Pathum Nissanka, the English bowlers will need to take precautions about another in-form batter, Kusal Mendis, the batter who has been registering half-centuries in the tournament with ease. If the opposing bowlers are somehow able to stop Nissanka or Kusal, then there will be Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, and Dasun Shanaka—a pile of gunpowder.
Bowlers: Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
The Sri Lankan bowlers know best how to utilise the home soil. As the co-host of the tournament, they are well aware of the circumstances. In the group stages, they show their real strengths during the mid overs, when spinners come into the equation.
Sri Lanka Playing 11: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (w), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana.
England Playing XI vs SL—T20 World Cup 2026:
Openers: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler.
On paper, the combination of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler seems like an undisputed force. But they are yet to show their true colors in the tournament. So far, the opening pair of England remains as one of the most underperforming machines since the beginning of the tournament.
Middle-order: Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Will Jacks.
A long-tail batting order—this is probably the main reason England survived the group stage. The amount of batting talent this team has is purely mesmerizing for the English cricket fans and haunting for the opposing team’s bowlers. Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, and Sam Curran have all shown their glimpses of flair in the previous phase of the tournament.
Bowlers: Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.
The real drawback of the team is the bowling line-up. The all-rounder-heavy team lacked in bowling depth. If we took Sam Curran, the pace-bowling all-rounder, out of the equation, then their bowling troop would be cut short. Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer are yet to bowl according to their status.
England Playing XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (C), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.
