The Palleke International Cricket Stadium will host the third and final T20I of the three-match series between Sri Lanka and England on Tuesday, February 3. With the series already sealed by the visitors, the hosts will be hoping for a consolation win ahead of the upcoming 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.

England, led by Harry Brooke, dominated the first two games to take an undisputed 2-0 lead. The Three Lions secured victory via the DLS method in a rainy match. Sri Lanka, led by Dasun Shanaka, will need to find a winning combination before the global exhibition series begins later this week.

This article provides a preview of the SL vs ENG 3rd T20I covering live broadcast details, pitch analysis, weather forecast, predicted match line-up and key statistics and records.

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SL vs ENG 3rd T20I Preview:

Date and location: The Palleke International Cricket Stadium will host the third and final T20I between Sri Lanka, led by Dasun Shanaka, and England, led by Harry Brook, on Tuesday, February 3.

SL vs ENG teams:

Sri Lanka are still struggling to find consistency with the bat. Captain Dasun Shanaka is under pressure to be both a leader and a finisher. The batting relies on Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka.

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

In contrast, England looked calm and confident. Captain Harry Brook actively takes the lead, while Jos Buttler adds extra strength to the lineup.

England maintain a strong balance with all-rounders Sam Curran and Will Jacks. Spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson performed well in all phases of the game in Sri Lankan conditions.

England team: Philip Salter, Jos Butler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brooke (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Ben Duckett, Luke Wood, Brendan Cass, Josh Tonge, Rehan Ahmed

SL vs ENG possible lineups:

With the series complete, England may experiment with their starting XI to provide game time to substitutes like Luke Wood. Sri Lanka, hungry for victory, may opt for the best team without changing the batting order.

Sri Lanka starting lineup: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Mathisha Patirana.

England starting lineup: Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jos Butler (wk), Harry Brooke (c), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Jamie Overton.

SL vs ENG 3rd T20I key battle

In T20 cricket, the duel between players often determines the outcome. Here are the key players to watch out for in the third T20I match between Sri Lanka and England.

Phil Salt VS Dushmantha Chameera

This is a battle of explosive power and speed. Phil Salter has scored 394 points in his last nine games with a strike rate of 173.56. He looked dominant from the first pitch.

Dushmantha Chameera is Sri Lanka’s strike bowler. He has taken 9 wickets in the last seven games at an economy rate of 7.39. If Chameera uses his pace and bounce to eliminate Salt early on, Sri Lanka can take control of the game. If Salt survives, England are likely to dominate the midfield.

Jos Buttler VS Wanindu Hasalanga

Jos Buttler destroys spin and pace in this format. He has scored 247 runs in the last 10 games with an average of 27.44 and a strike rate of 190.

Wanindu Hasaranga, who has taken 13 wickets in the last 10 games, is Sri Lanka’s best option to stop him. Hasaranga variations and googlies are his main weapons. Buttler will look to attack while Hasaranga will try to trap the England skipper LBW or deep.

Pathum Nissanka VS Adil Rashid

Pathum Nissanka is the mainstay of Sri Lanka’s lineup. He has scored 310 points in the past 10 games with an average of 34.44 and a shooting percentage of 144.85. He needs to provide a competitive total for the host team.

England leg-spinner Adil Rashid is in brilliant form and has taken 16 wickets in the last eight games at a strike rate of 11.25. Rashid controls the middle order and if he removes Nissanka early, Sri Lanka’s batting order could collapse.

Kamil Mishara vs Jofra Archer

Youngster Kamil Mishara has scored 241 points in the last eight games with a strike rate of 140.11. He likes to dominate the game and has to deal with Jofra Archer’s accuracy.

The right-arm fast bowler relies on his accuracy and early swing. Mishala will try to disrupt Archer’s rhythm and Archer will use his experience to force the youngsters into making mistakes.

SL vs ENG 3rd T20I main players:

Sri Lanka – Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis

England – Harry Brooke, Jos Butler, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Phil Salt

SL vs ENG 3rd T20I – Free Live Streaming and Telecast Details

Indian TV broadcast: The third T20I match between Sri Lanka and England will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network.

Live online streaming in India: Fans can watch live matches on mobile devices and web browsers via the SonyLIV app and website.

Competition date: The third T20I match will be played on Tuesday, February 3.

Place: The match will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy.

time: The match is expected to start at 7:00 pm IST.

SL vs ENG 3rd T20I Weather and Pitch Report – Pallekele

SL vs ENG: Palleke Weather Forecast

The weather for the third T20I in Kandy on Tuesday is expected to be cloudy with possible thunderstorms. According to AccuWeather, temperatures will hover around 24°C during the evening game, with humidity as high as 80-85%.

There is a strong chance of rain disruption, which could result in a shortened race. Cloud cover may help swing bowlers early on. The captain who wins the toss might consider chasing in the rain.

Palleke International Cricket Stadium SL vs ENG Pitch Report

The pitch at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium usually favors the batsmen early in the innings. However, if it rains, the surface may retain some moisture. Spinners usually come into play as the game progresses. The average score in the first innings at the venue is about 167 runs.

With the DLS method likely to come into effect, the captain is expected to opt to bowl first. The chase allows teams to adjust scoring to a modified target, an approach that has worked to England’s advantage in previous matches.

SL vs ENG head to head records

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

According to ESPNcricinfo, Sri Lanka and England have met 16 times in T20 Internationals. England have the upper hand with 12 wins, while Sri Lanka have managed victory in just four matches. There has never been a draw or a resultless match in their history.

SL vs ENG head to head record: last 5 games

England have dominated the recent encounters between the two sides, winning all of their last five T20 matches. Sri Lanka have been struggling to beat England, the last time they managed a win in this format was a few years ago. The visitors continue their winning streak in the ongoing series.

SL vs ENG head to head record – last 5 match results:

• England win by 6 wickets at Palleke on February 1, 2026

• England win by 11 points at Palleke on 30 January 2026

• England win by 4 wickets in Sydney on 5th November 2022

• England win by 26 runs in Sharjah on 1 November 2021

• June 26, 2021 England win by 89 runs at Southampton

SL vs ENG 3rd T20I – Conclusion:

The third and final T20I of the ongoing three-match series between Sri Lanka and England is likely to depend heavily on the toss, with rain expected at Palleke.

Sri Lanka, led by Dasun Shanaka, is under pressure to avoid a series whitewash and regain confidence ahead of the much-awaited T20 World Cup on home soil. England, meanwhile, had the momentum to win thanks to a solid batting order and a disciplined bowling attack after taking a 2-0 lead.

England are more likely to win again with the depth and strength of their squad, as well as their spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson. Unless Sri Lanka produces something extraordinary, the Harry Brooke-led side is expected to win the series 3-0.

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