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Sri Lanka vs England – 2nd T20I, 2026 England Tour of Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka’s match against England will be played with the final combination of players in the final ICC T20 World Cup squad. SLC and ECB are likely to announce the final lineup for the upcoming ICC event, which will be announced on January 31 and no further changes will be allowed after that.
These series are being held not only to prepare for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup but also to finalize the participating squads to enhance their chances of participating in the mega tournament. Lankan fans are looking forward to hosting the World Cup at home.
This article provides the likely line-ups for England and Sri Lanka in the second T20I, as well as the possible player combinations for Palleke and the key players to watch out for.
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Sri Lanka vs England – 2nd T20I
Sri Lanka vs England – 2nd T20I
Opening match: Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara
Pathum Nissankar will open the match for the Lankans. The right-handed batsman is known as one of the main pillars of Sri Lanka’s batting line-up. The return of Nissanka is crucial for them. Nissanka is Sri Lanka’s highest run-scorer; however, his consistency has been questioned.
Kamil Mishara is the emerging superstar of Sri Lanka T20I cricket. He is their newly introduced opener in the tournament while Kusal Mendis has been demoted in the batting order. However, Misala missed a run in the last game.
Middle-order batsmen: Kusal Mendis, Challis Asaranka, Janis Lianachi, Dasan Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga
Veteran batsman Kusal Perera did not play in the first T20. Kusal Mendis is ranked 1st. 3. What follows are four of the most consistent and predictable names in modern Lankan cricket.
Former captain Charisse Asaranka, batsman Janis Lianachi and three all-rounders. These include the two batting all-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjaya de Silva, while spinner and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is the core of Lanka’s attack.
Bowlers: Eshan Malinga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
Going into the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, the bowling department looks quite fresh. Front-runner Matheesha Pathirana and newly-joined seamer Eshan Malinga will command the overs with the new ball and death overs. Spinner Maheesh Theekshana will be the ace of his team’s new-ball bowling.
Sri Lanka starting lineup: 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 vs Sri Lanka – 2nd T20I
Opener: Phil Salt and Jos Buttler
One of the most explosive and dangerous batting duos in the world right now. With a first-round match like this, they could easily be called one of the most dominant teams in the tournament. Butler has a lot of experience at his disposal, and Salter often launches counterattacks against his opponents. Together they form one of England’s unstoppable forces.
Middle-order batsmen: Jacob Bethell, Harry Brooke, Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton
England’s middle order doesn’t look as experienced as it once did. Jacob Bethell will join fellow England midfield star Tom Banton in his first World Cup. They will support their captain Harry Brooke, who has maintained his fine form in all formats of the game.
Three all-rounders add to England’s batting depth. Will Jacks is the finger-spinner while Sam Curran and Jamie Overton are the all-rounders at seam bowling, with Curran sharing the new ball with frontline pacer Jofra Archer.
Bowlers: Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer
Veteran leg-spinner Adil Rashid and finger-spinner Liam Dawson, who is returning to the white-ball format, will be England’s two frontline spinners. Jofra Archer is the only frontline pacer in the role. He is preparing for a new start with the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
England starting lineup: Phil Salt, Jos Butler, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brooke, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Tom Banton, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson and Jofra Archer.
