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Sri Lanka head into the second T20I at Pallekele with their backs against the wall, knowing that a win is the only way to stay alive in the three-match series against England.
Sri Lanka were thoroughly outplayed in the opening game, where England’s clinical approach – powered by assured knocks from Phil Salt and Sam Curran – proved too strong in a rain-hit contest. Playing at home, Sri Lanka simply cannot afford another series loss, especially with fans still seeking clarity after the recent ODI setback.
For the hosts, the message is clear: they must find solutions quickly and deliver a far more complete performance in the upcoming match. Anything less could allow England to wrap up the series early and underline their growing dominance in the shortest format.
SL vs ENG, 2nd T20I: Match Details
- Date and Time: February 1; 7:00 pm IST and local time/ 1:30 pm GMT
- Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
SL vs ENG, Head-to-Head Record in T20Is
Matches played: 15 | Sri Lanka won: 10 | England won: 05 | No result/Tied: 0
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at Pallekele is expected to offer a fair contest between bat and ball, especially in the early stages of the match. Batters should enjoy the true bounce and carry during the powerplay, allowing those with good timing to play their shots freely. Historically, the venue has produced competitive totals, with the average first-innings score hovering around 166, underlining its reputation as a balanced surface.
However, conditions are likely to change as the game wears on. Under lights, the pitch often begins to slow down, bringing spinners into the contest as the ball grips and turns more than it does earlier in the evening. This shift can make run-scoring increasingly challenging during the middle overs, placing greater emphasis on smart shot selection and rotation of strike.
Weather could also have a say. With high humidity expected, there is a chance of some dew later in the second innings, which may slightly help the chasing side by easing the ball onto the bat. That said, the dry heat earlier in the day suggests the surface will not dramatically freshen up. As a result, teams may still prefer to bat first to post a strong total and avoid the familiar mid-innings slowdown that often defines matches at Pallekele.
Squads
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga
England: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood
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SL vs ENG, 2nd T20I: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Sri Lanka wins the toss and bats first
- Sri Lanka powerplay score: 40-50
- Sri Lanka total score: 170-180
Case 2:
- England wins the toss and bats first
- England powerplay score: 50-60
- England total score: 190-200
Match result: England to win the contest.
