Sri Lanka Playing XI vs England, 1st T20I- England tour of Sri Lanka 2026

Sri Lanka predicted Playing XI for England 1st T20I [Source: X]

The Sri Lanka cricket team is all set to host England for a three-match T20I affair at home, and the SL vs ENG first encounter is set for January 30 at the Pallekele International Stadium. With both teams eyeing a warm-up before the mega T20 World Cup 2026 event, this serves as a perfect stage.

England is set to play a T20 game long after a T20I series against New Zealand back in October 2025, and Lanka comes in led by captain Dasun Shanaka after a 1-1 T20I series tie against Pakistan.

With England planning to field a strong team, let’s take a look at the most probable Playing XI Sri Lanka can field as per the conditions and keeping the T20 World Cup 2026 lineup in mind.

Sri Lanka likely Playing XI vs England - 1st T20I

Openers and Top Order - Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis (wk)

Pathum Nissanka will once again be entrusted with the responsibility of leading Sri Lanka’s innings as an opener in the upcoming T20I, with Kamil Mishara set to partner him at the top. Mishara has shown mixed form since the England ODI series, where he managed 54 runs across three innings.

Nissanka, however, fared slightly better, scoring 97 runs in the ODI series, which included an explosive 25-ball fifty in the third ODI. He averaged 32.33 in the series and will be keen to carry that momentum into the T20I format.

Kusal Mendis will provide stability at number three, continuing Sri Lanka’s reliable top-order combination in recent T20I outings. Mendis scored a quick 30 off 16 balls in the third T20I against Pakistan this month.

In the ODI series as well, Mendis’ composed innings helped him average an impressive 69.50 from three matches, further strengthening his case as a dependable performer ahead of the upcoming T20I.

Middle Order and All-Rounders - Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c) and Janith Liyanage

At number four, Dhananjaya de Silva will follow with his vast T20I experience, having scored 298 runs from 15 outings at an average of 21.29 and a strike rate of 114.18.

Following de Silva, former captain Charith Asalanka is set to take up the number five role, backed by a solid T20I record of 1,396 runs from 72 matches at an average of 22.51 and a strike rate of 126.67.

Dasun Shanaka, the current Sri Lanka skipper, will bat at number six and brings experience from 55 T20I matches in that position. He also has four half-centuries to his name, along with a strike rate of 122.80 and an average of 20.82.

Next in line is Janith Liyanage, the 30-year-old Colombo-born all-rounder, who will handle the number seven duties. Coming off a strong Pakistan series, where he scored 62 runs from two matches at a strike rate of 158.97 and an average of 62.00, Liyanage has the ability to make an impact in the death overs under pressure.

Bowlers - Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana and Dushmantha Chameera

The bowling unit will be led by leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and pacer Dushmantha Chameera, alongside Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana.

While Hasaranga can also contribute with the bat, his spin will be of significant value on the Pallekele pitch, along with that of Dhananjaya de Silva or Charith Asalanka if Sri Lanka requires more spinners.

However, Sri Lanka might prefer a pace-heavy combination, with Dushmantha Chameera leading the attack alongside Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana as his supporting bowlers. 

With Eshan Malinga not being particularly impressive in the previous encounter, he could sit out this contest, allowing Pathirana and Chameera to feature in the first T20I against England.

SL likely Playing XI vs ENG - 1st T20I 2026 - Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera