Tomorrow, as the sun sets over the picturesque Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, England while a clean sweep will look to complete Sri Lanka fighting for pride and forward momentum 2026 T20 World Cup.
England go into this final with a 2-0 lead after showing clinical effectiveness in the first two rain-affected matches. For homeowners, it’s more than just a dead tire; this is the last opportunity to test their combinations before the World Cup kicks off on home soil in just four days.
England’s middle order has been the difference maker in this series. In the 1st T20I, Sam Curran‘s historic hat-trick and Adil Rashid‘s 3-wicket haul suffocated the Lankans and led to an 11-run victory (DLS).
The 2nd T20I saw a much improved batting performance from Sri Lanka, posting a competitive total of 189/5. A brilliant 54 though Tom Banton and rapid fire 36 from the captain Harry Brooke It ensured England chased down the revised DLS target with two balls to spare, underscoring their status as title contenders.
SL vs ENG, 3rd T20I: Match details
- Date and Time: February 3; 19:00 IST and 13:30 GMT
- Location: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
SL vs ENG Head to Head Record in T20Is
Matches played: 16 | Sri Lanka won: 10 | England won: 06 | No Results/Closed: 0
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The Pallekele pitch is expected to provide a balanced battle between bat and ball especially in the first phase of the match. Hitters will likely benefit from consistent bounce and good carry during the power play, allowing hitters with sound timing to play confidently down the line. Historically, the course has hosted competitive races, with average first-shot totals around 166, reinforcing its reputation as a well-balanced surface.
Conditions tend to evolve as the match progresses. Under lights, the pitch often slows down and brings the spinners into play as the ball starts to catch and spin more than in the evening. This change could make it harder to score through medium passes, with a greater emphasis on smart shot selection and effective shot rotation. Teams can still lean towards batting first, aiming to put up a strong total and avoid the familiar middle innings slowdown that often shapes games in Pallekele.
Groups
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, Pawan RathnayakeDunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga
England: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Josh Butler, Braydon Carse, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood
Also READ: Tom Banton leads England to a series win over Sri Lanka in the 2nd T20I
SL vs ENG, 3rd T20I: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Sri Lanka take the toss first
- Sri Lanka powerplay score: 40-50
- Sri Lanka Total Score: 180-190
Case 2:
- England wins the toss first
- England power play score: 50-60
- England’s total: 195-205
Match Result: England will win the competition.
