Sri Lanka vs England Live Rating, 1st T20I (Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs England National Cricket Team): Sri Lanka face England in the primary of their three-match T20I series, with all games scheduled on the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. After losing the ODI series 2-1, the hosts are desperate to make a robust comeback and set a positive tone ahead of major global events.
Although Sri Lanka has shown strength at home in ODIs, their recent T20I performance has been underwhelming. They’ve only won two of their last six T20I series, against West Indies and Zimbabwe. Their difficulties against England are more pronounced, as they’ve not won a bilateral T20I match against them since 2014, including a 3-0 defeat in England in 2021. Since winning the T20 World Cup in 2014, Sri Lanka has also failed to achieve the knockout stages, most recently exiting early in 2024. Ranked eighth, they face a substantial challenge.
England, alternatively, arrives in good form. Ranked third, they’ve won 4 of their last seven T20I series and remain a formidable force within the format.
Toss: England won the toss and opted to field first within the 17-over match.
SL vs ENG – Playing 11s
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga
England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook(c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid