England opt to field first against Sri Lanka in 2nd T20I
February 1, 2026 06:35 pm
England have won the toss and elected to field first against Sri Lanka in the second Twenty20 International of the three-match series at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy.
England have named an unchanged XI while Sri Lankan have made two changes to the lineup from the opening T20I.
Skipper Dasun Shanaka at the toss said he has decided to name Pavan Rathnayake and Dunith Wellalage in the playing XI in place of Dhanajaya de Silva and Maheesh Theekshana.
England won the series opener by 11 runs under DLS method at the same venue on Friday.
Sri Lanka was bundled out for 133 runs in 16.2 overs in the 17-over contest after heavy showers interrupted the commencement of the game. Kusal Mendis top scored with 37 runs in just 20 deliveries. Sam Curran claimed a hat-trick in the latter part of the innings.
In their chase, England was on 125/4 in 15 overs when rain interrupted the proceedings again.
England were then deemed 11 runs ahead of the revised target and handed the win to secure a 1-0 series lead.
Sri Lanka: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kamil Mishara, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Pavan Rathnayake, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Janith Liyanage, 7 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Wanindu Hasaranga, 10 Eshan Malinga, 11 Matheesha Pathirana
England: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (wk), 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Tom Banton, 5 Harry Brook (capt), 6 Sam Curran, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Liam Dawson, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Adil Rashid
