ICC Men's Т20 World Cup 2026, Super 8: Sri Lanka vs England
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ICC Men's Т20 World Cup 2026, Super 8: Sri Lanka vs England
A high-stakes rematch of the January bilateral series is set for the Super 8s as co-hosts Sri Lanka face England in Match 2 of the second round!
Taking place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, this fixture is a tactical heavyweight battle. Sri Lanka, the first team to qualify from Group B, is looking to avenge their recent home series loss to England, while the defending champions (and Group C leaders) aim to prove their "Bazball-lite" approach works on the slowest of tracks. You can catch every over live on Willow by Cricbuzz.
Head-to-Head: The Recent Grudge Match England has dominated this rivalry in recent years, including a clinical 2-0 T20I series win right here in Sri Lanka just weeks ago. However, the Lions' record-breaking form in the group stages suggests a much closer contest this time.
Overall T20Is: England leads 11-4.
Feb 1, 2026: England won by 6 wickets (DLS) at Pallekele (Tom Banton 50).
Jan 30, 2026: England won by 11 runs (DLS) at Kandy.
T20 World Cup History: England leads 5-1.
Team Form & Recent Results Sri Lanka (W-W-W-L-W) The Lions are the form team of the tournament. After becoming the first side to punch their Super 8 ticket by defeating Australia, they have turned the Pallekele Stadium into a fortress of spin.
Group Stage: Defeated Australia and Oman convincingly.
Status: Qualified 1st from Group B.
Strategy: Reinstating Dasun Shanaka as captain has brought tactical stability, allowing their mystery spinners to dictate terms.
England (W-L-W-W-L) The English side under Harry Brook has been a mix of clinical power and occasional vulnerability against spin. After a dominant bilateral tour of Sri Lanka in January, they arrive for the Super 8s knowing exactly what the Pallekele track will offer.
Group Stage: Qualified from Group C after a crucial win over Scotland.
Recent: Secured a 2-0 T20I series win in Sri Lanka (Jan/Feb 2026).
Players in Focus Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka): The world's premier T20 spinner. In the January series, he was the only bowler to consistently trouble the English middle order; his four overs are the most critical of the match.
Tom Banton (England): The "Pallekele Specialist." Having scored a match-winning fifty at this venue on February 1, his ability to sweep and reverse-sweep Sri Lanka's spinners is England's primary tactical edge.
Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka): The tournament's most consistent opener. His ability to anchor the innings at a high strike rate allows the middle order to attack the English pacers.
Adil Rashid (England): The veteran leg-spinner. Fresh off a 3/19 performance in the first T20I of the January series, he remains England's best bet to stifle the Lankan scoring rate on a wearing pitch.