SL vs ENG Prediction Super 8 Match 2- Who Will Win Today? T20 World Cup 2026

SL vs ENG Super 8 match will be played on February 22 [Source: MDRaju_Live, Akshatgoel1408/X.com]

England will be back playing at the Pallekele International Stadium to face Sri Lanka just weeks after thrashing the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup hosts by 3-0 in their recent T20I series.

This time around, the stakes are higher as the teams kick-start their Super 8 round of the T20 mega event with this competition after finishing 2nd in the respective groups. Sri Lanka’s only defeat in the group stage came against Zimbabwe, while England survived a couple of close games, losing only to the West Indies.

Also Read: T20 World Cup Schedule Super 8 Matches, Qualified Teams, Standings and Points Table

The two teams take on each other on February 22 in Pallekele in the afternoon match, starting at 3 PM (IST).

SL vs ENG current form (last 5 T20Is)

SL vs ENG player battles

Pathum Nissanka vs Adil Rashid

Pathum Nissanka is an in-form Sri Lanka opener who is coming off a 100* against Australia and 62 against Zimbabwe in the last two innings. 

He has historically struggled against the right-arm wrist spinners, including the world class leggie, Adil Rashid. He has faced Rashid 4 times across ODIs and T20Is and has been dismissed 3 times.

Rashid has 2 outs in 2 innings against him in the format, with only 8 runs conceded in 15 balls. He could be brought in a bit early to see how Nissanka fares against the leggie in the big game.

Tom Banton vs Dunith Wellalage

Tom Banton was England’s best batter in their recent tour of Sri Lanka, where he scored 90 runs in 3 innings, including a 54* (33). In the ongoing tournament, he has also helped England avoid close games against Scotland and Italy, scoring a 63* in one of the games.

Left-arm orthodox bowler, Dunith Wellalage, having picked wickets in all the games so far, would like to continue his form and will have the onus to dismiss Banton cheaply in the middle-overs. It will be a good matchup to watch in Pallekele.

Jos Buttler vs Dushmantha Chameera

Jos Buttler has struggled to get going in the tournament, with only two scores of 20s and back-to-back dismissals for 3 runs in the last two matches. He will be looking to fire early in the innings as they enter the business end of the tournament.

As the last pacer from their main squad, Dushmantha Chameera will need to step up for Sri Lanka and get early wickets, including Buttler. 

Ahead of the game, Buttler has scored 66 off 36 against Chameera at a strike rate of 183.33 in T20I cricket. The battle could put either team ahead in the contest early in the English batting innings.

SL vs ENG top performers

Most runs for SL vs ENG (among squad members)

From the current squad, the in-form Kusal Mendis has scored the most against England. He has 189 runs in 9 T20I innings, striking at the rate of 125.16 and averaging 125.16.

Most wickets for SL vs ENG (among squad members)

Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera leads the charts from the current Lankan players and has 12 wickets against England in 6 innings. He has an economy rate of 7.46 and is only 1 wicket behind the most successful Lankan bowler against the opponent, Lasith Malinga.

Most runs for ENG vs SL (among squad members)

The former England captain and opener Jos Buttler has the most runs in head-to-heads against Sri Lanka. He has scored 466 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 143.82 and averages 58.25 against the opponent. He has three fifties and a century to his name.

Most wickets for ENG vs SL (among squad members)

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid has 15 wickets in 11 innings against Sri Lanka at an economy rate of just 5.66. His best figures read 3/11.

SL vs ENG toss prediction

Historically, 15 of the 33 matches played at the venue have been won batting first, while 13 ended as successful chases. 

However, 2/3 matches of the ongoing tournament have been won by teams chasing the target. The pitch offers good batting decks, where the teams will need to score upwards of 185 and bowl well if they want to defend the total.

While there will be a bit of grip and turn on offer, the surface is likely to get better as the match progresses, and the ball will come onto the bat well under lights in the second innings. The team winning the toss will prefer bowling here.

SL vs ENG 1st innings score prediction

Powerplay- 58/1

Final score- 189/7

SL vs ENG 2nd innings score prediction

Powerplay- 61/2

Final score- 190/5

SL vs ENG top players prediction

Sri Lanka's top players' prediction

Probable best batters

Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis

Probable best bowlers

Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera

England's top players prediction

Probable best batters

Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton

Probable best bowlers

Adil Rashid, Sam Curran

Who will hit the most sixes in SL vs ENG Match 41?

Jacob Bethell

Who will score the most fours in SL vs ENG Match 41?

Pathum Nissanka

SL vs ENG match winner prediction: Who will win Match 41?

Heading into the match, both teams have been in a similar form. Sri Lanka will be high on confidence after their win over Australia in the tournament, while England's recent 3-0 series win will be at the back of their minds and could play a role.

The Lankans will be without a few key members, who they rely on in their first choice squad, including Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana. The big misses could be detrimental for them at this stage of the tournament. Hence, England head into the match with a slight edge over the hosts.

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