As the T20 World Cup kicks off in hosts Sri Lanka, they will take on England in the final match of the T20I series, which will include three matches and will be the last chance for the teams to finalize their squads for the mega tournament. The final T20 World Cup squad is also expected to be announced based on the first T20I match of ENG vs SL and the performance of the players.

England are the former champions of the ICC T20 World Cup and won the title in 2022. This is their second T20 World Cup title under the leadership of Jos Buttler. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have won the trophy only once and that was in 2014.

After a long time, Sri Lanka will officially host the tournament and fans are eager to witness their team go out and smash the faces of all their opponents. The England series is their last chance to make an impact before the final squad for the ICC Top 20 is announced.

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Below is a detailed preview of the SL vs ENG match, including match details, live broadcast details, possible matchups, head-to-head records, and more.

SL vs ENG 1st T20I Preview:

Date and location: iconic venue Palleke International Cricket Stadium Will host the first T20I between the two teamEngland and Sri Lanka will be played on Friday, January 30.

SL vs ENG 1st T20I Squad:

England team: Harry Brooke, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Butler, Brendan Cass, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben DuckettWill Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil RashidPhil Salter, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood.

Sri Lanka team: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga

SL vs ENG 1st T20I possible line-up:

England starting lineup: Phil Salt, Jos Butler, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brooke, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Brendan Cass and Josh Tonge.

Sri Lanka starting lineup: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana/Eshan Malinga

SL vs ENG 1st T20I key battle:

Phil Salt VS Mahesh Tekshana

The England batsman is regarded as one of the most explosive batsmen of this era. He will be the main threat to the opponents when they play against England. Salter has proven time and time again why he is often considered the most dangerous player in the shortest situations.

On the contrary, Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana is known for bowling with the new ball in white-ball cricket. Hustlers are probably the only area where Salter has struggled as he has often struggled against spin bowling.

Harry Brooke vs Wanindu Hasalanga

Harry Brooke, another explosive English batsman. Although the entire English batting order is made up of several such names, the two names mentioned are the most dangerous among them. Brooke showed his ability by scoring an unbeaten 66-ball century for England in the final.

If England has Brooke, then Sri Lanka has its most reliable wicketkeeper in Vanindu Hasaranga. The former Lankan skipper was a true wicket-taker who controlled the entire match in the middle stages of the game and he commanded the match.

Pathum Nissanka VS Jamie Overton

Sri Lanka, despite having enough depth in attack, fell short in the batting department. For them, this vacancy plays a vital role and Pathum Nissanka is the right man for the job. His performances for the Lankans were inconsistent, but whenever he performed well, the team dominated.

All-rounder Jamie Overton has regularly taken the new ball for England and has performed well in recent times. Overton, in particular, performed well in the ODI phase of the Sri Lanka tour. So, from a fan’s perspective, this game will be exciting.

Charice Asaranka vs Adil Rashid

Former skipper Charith Asalanka is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the Lankan batting order, while Adil Rashid, on the contrary, is England’s most seasoned and seasoned spinner. He is their performer in midfield and in these phases he always gives England the breakthrough they need.

Matches between leg-spinners and left-handed batsmen are always exciting as both try to break the order. Adil Rashid is usually an exciting spinner who not only depends on the ground conditions but also adjusts the situation to suit himself.

SL vs ENG 1st T20I Key Players:

Key players of the England team: Phil Salt, Harry Brooke, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid and Jamie Overton

Sri Lanka’s key players: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka and Dusmantha Chameera.

SL vs ENG 1st T20I – Free Live Streaming and Telecast Details

Indian TV broadcast: The first T20I match between England and Sri Lanka will be telecast live across India on the Sony Sports TEN network.

Live online streaming in India: Fans from around the world can watch live matches via the SonyLIV app and website. Active subscription required.

How to watch on TV: Cricket fans can tune into Sony Sports 10 online channel to watch the live broadcast of ENG vs SL First T20I.

How to watch online on mobile and the web: The live broadcast will be available only through the SonyLIV platform and cricket fanatics can watch the live broadcast from anywhere on their portable devices. FanCode will also provide live streaming facilities for matches.

SL vs ENG 1st T20I Weather and Pitch Report – Pallekele

SL vs ENG 1st T20I: Palleke Weather Forecast:

The Sri Lankan subcontinent is one of the most ideal locations in the world to play cricket, especially at this stage. Temperatures at the iconic venue are moderate, with temperatures possibly reaching 30 degrees under partial cloud cover. Although the humidity is moderate, there is little chance of rain.

Therefore, we can expect a perfect 40-over match in which both teams will be at 100% and the climate and field conditions will be conducive to the game.

SL vs ENG 1st T20I: Pallekele’s pitch report:

Palkel is a medium pitch that is good for both batsmen and bowlers. Batting first at this venue is slightly more advantageous as the island’s stadium often has a breeze that comes into play in the second innings. The team that bats first also has a winning percentage of 50%.

The highest total number of goals scored in this game was 263, which was played by Sri Lanka against Australia. The highest scoring record was also recorded by the home team against Australia. The outfield here is decent and the pitch usually affects pacers and spinners equally.

SL vs ENG 1st T20I head-to-head record

SL vs ENG head-to-head results: key statistics

England haven’t played Sri Lanka many times in the shortest format, but whenever the two teams have met, the Three Lions have had the upper hand over Sri Lanka. England has beaten Sri Lanka 10 times in total, while Sri Lanka has only won 4 times.

The two teams last met during the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup and they have not played a match since then. Their final bilateral T20I series Returning in 2021, the match is played ahead of the start of the ICC T20 World Cup in England.

SL vs ENG head to head record: last 5 games

Taking into account the last five games, the Lankans have been beaten by the Three Lions every time in the shortest period of time. Be it the bilateral series five years ago or the ICC tournament held in between, England dominated.

England has maintained a winning streak against Sri Lanka for a long time (nearly 8 years) since the team has not won against Sri Lanka in T20I matches since 2018.

SL vs ENG head to head record – results of the last 5 matches:

• England won by 4 wickets on 5th November 2022
• England won by 26 points on 1 November 2021
• June 26, 2021 England win by 89 runs
• England win by 5 wickets on June 24, 2021 (DLS method)
• England win by 8 wickets on June 23, 2021

SL vs ENG 1st T20I – Conclusion

Overall, the first T20I match of SL vs ENG will be held on January 30 at Pallekele which will give them another chance to finally pick the best squad and lead their best players for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. This series is very important from the perspective of both teams.

Also read: In shock move, former RCB star was named Australia’s all-round captain ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup