Sri Lanka Playing XI vs England Playing XI – 2nd T20I, England tour of Sri Lanka 2026: The Sri Lanka Playing XI vs England Playing XI will be played with the final combination of players from the finalised squad for the ICC T20 World Cup. The SLC and the ECB are likely to announce their final squad for the upcoming ICC event, which is all set to be announced on the 31st of January, and no further changes are allowed to be made after that.
These series were not conducted only to prepare for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, but also with the vision to finalise a playing XI that strengthens their chances for the marquee tournament. The Lankan crowd will be anticipating a lot from their home side in the home World Cup.
This article provides the probable playing XIs of England and Sri Lanka for the Second T20I, alongside the likely player combinations and crucial players to watch out for at Pallekele.
Sri Lanka Playing XI vs England Playing XI – 2nd T20I
Sri Lanka Playing XI vs England – 2nd T20I
Openers: Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara
Pathum Nissanka will be opening the innings for the Lankans. The right-handed batter is known as one of the major pillars of the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Nissanka’s return to form turns out to be very crucial for them. Nissanka is the highest scorer for Sri Lanka; however, his consistency has been questionable.
Kamil Mishara is the newly rising superstar of T20I cricket in Sri Lanka. He has been the newly launched opener for them in the formats, while Kusal Mendis has been demoted in the batting order. Mishara, however, missed out on runs in the previous game.
Middle-Order Batters: Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga
Kusal Perera, the veteran batter, did not return for the 1st T20. Kusal Mendis was instead slotted in at no. 3. He was followed by the likes of four of the most consistent and predictable names in modern-day Lankan cricket.
Former Captain Charith Asalanka, batter Janith Liyanage and three all-rounders. It includes the two batting all-rounders in Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjaya de Silva, while spinner and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is the heart of the Lankan attack.
Bowlers: Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
The bowling department looks quite fresh going into the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Matheesha Pathirana, the pacemana dn Eshan Malinga, the newly included seamer, will take command with the new ball and in the death overs. Maheesh Theekshana, the spinner, will be an ace for his team’s new ball bowling.
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana
England Playing XI vs Sri Lanka – 2nd T20I
Openers: Phil Salt and Jos Buttler
One of the most explosive and dangerous batting duos in the world currently. They would easily be called one of the most dominant sides in the tournament with such an opening pair. Buttler has experience under his wing, while Salt often launches the counterattack on the opposition. Together, they form one of the unstoppable forces for England.
Middle-Order Batters: Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton
The England middle order does not look as experienced as before. Jacob Bethell will be playing his first-ever World Cup alongside Tom Banton, the other star in the English middle order. They will back their skipper, Harry Brook, who has been in fine form in all formats of the game.
Three all-rounders add batting depth to the English side. Will Jacks is the finger spinner, while Sam Curran and Jamie Overton are the seam-bowling all-rounders, and Curran shares the new ball with the frontline pacer Jofra Archer.
Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer
Adil Rashid, the veteran leg-spinner and Liam Dawson, the finger spinner who made a comeback to the white-ball setup, will be the two frontline spinners for the English lineup. Jofra Archer is the only frontline pacer in the role. He is preparing for a fresh start to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
England Playing XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Tom Banton, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, and Jofra Archer.
