T20 World Cup 2026: Super Eights, Match 42, ENG vs SL – Top 3 player battles to watch out for

<p>England will face co-hosts Sri Lanka in a blockbuster Super 8 encounter of the <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/t20-world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICC T20 World Cup 2026</a></strong> at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 22.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For the Three Lions, it has been a mixed tournament, as they managed to win three group stage matches, including a narrow four-run win over Nepal and a loss to West Indies. Despite the wins, the Harry Brook side is yet to fire in all the departments and will aim to do that at the crucial stage of the tournament.&nbsp;</p>
<p>On the other hand, Sri Lanka have been much more convincing in the competition, having won three matches, while losing against Zimbabwe. They will also try and make the most of the home conditions against England.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Here are the top 3 player battles to watch out for in ENG vs SL<span>, T20 WC 2026</span></h2>
<h3>3. Pathum Nissanka vs Jofra Archer</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1758976229065_Pathum-Nissanka.jpeg" alt="Pathum Nissanka" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Pathum Nissanka. (Photo source: Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Sri Lankan opener Nissanka has been the main man for the Lankans in this tournament having scored two half-centuries and a sensational unbeaten 100 against Australia. But he will have to face the Jofra Archer challenge in this match.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/jofra-archer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jofra Archer</a></strong> is yet to fire in the tournament, and there will be no better platform than the Super 8s to show up for the team. He has picked up six wickets so far in the T20 World Cup, and the English side would want him to deal with Nissanka in this clash.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="table-responsive">
<table border="1"><colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Matches</strong></td>
<td><strong>Innings</strong></td>
<td><strong>Runs Scored</strong></td>
<td><strong>Balls Bowled</strong></td>
<td><strong>Strike Rate</strong></td>
<td><strong>Economy Rate&nbsp;</strong></td>
<td><strong>Wicket Taken</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>02</td>
<td>02</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>12</td>
<td><span>133.3</span></td>
<td><span>08.00</span></td>
<td>01</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h3>2.&nbsp;Kusal Mendis vs Adil Rashid&nbsp;</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1757587269719_Adil-Rashid.jpeg" alt="Adil Rashid" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Adil Rashid. (Photo Source: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This battle in the middle-overs will be crucial in deciding where the match result will go. Mendis is having a brilliant tournament, having scored three half-centuries so far. The right-hander will look to carry that form ahead.</p>
<p>But, against him will be England’s leading spinner <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/adil-rashid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adil Rashid</a></strong>. The English side will be relying on him to pick wickets in the middle-overs, especially Mendis, who has the ability to rotate the strike. Rashid has picked up six wickets so far and would want to increase the tally.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="table-responsive">
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Matches</strong></td>
<td><strong>Innings</strong></td>
<td><strong>Runs Scored</strong></td>
<td><strong>Balls Bowled</strong></td>
<td><strong>Strike Rate</strong></td>
<td><strong>Economy Rate&nbsp;</strong></td>
<td><strong>Wicket Taken</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>05</td>
<td>05</td>
<td>45</td>
<td>29</td>
<td><span>155.17</span></td>
<td><span>09.13</span></td>
<td>01</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h3>&nbsp;1. Maheesh Theekshana vs Jos Buttler&nbsp;</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1758348675305_Untitled-design---2025-09-20T114105.jpeg" alt="Jos Buttler during a T20I match" width="960" height="600" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Jos Buttler during a T20I match (Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Maheesh Theekshana, the mystery spinner, will be Sri Lanka's main weapon against England’s greatest white-ball batter, Jos Buttler. The off-spinner has picked up six wickets in four matches but is yet to produce a match-winning spell. He generally bowls in the powerplay and will be up against the aggressive Buttler.</p>
<p>The former English skipper is having a horror campaign so far, managing to score just 53 runs in four innings. Hence, he will be eager to make his mark in this contest.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="table-responsive">
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Matches</strong></td>
<td><strong>Innings</strong></td>
<td><strong>Runs Scored</strong></td>
<td><strong>Balls Bowled</strong></td>
<td><strong>Strike Rate</strong></td>
<td><strong>Economy Rate&nbsp;</strong></td>
<td><strong>Wicket Taken</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>03</td>
<td>03</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>26</td>
<td><span>73.07</span></td>
<td><span>04.38</span></td>
<td>01</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

<p>England will face co-hosts Sri Lanka in a blockbuster Super 8 encounter of the <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/t20-world-cup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICC T20 World Cup 2026</a></strong> at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 22.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For the Three Lions, it has been a mixed tournament, as they managed to win three group stage matches, including a narrow four-run win over Nepal and a loss to West Indies. Despite the wins, the Harry Brook side is yet to fire in all the departments and will aim to do that at the crucial stage of the tournament.&nbsp;</p>
<p>On the other hand, Sri Lanka have been much more convincing in the competition, having won three matches, while losing against Zimbabwe. They will also try and make the most of the home conditions against England.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Here are the top 3 player battles to watch out for in ENG vs SL<span>, T20 WC 2026</span></h2>
<h3>3. Pathum Nissanka vs Jofra Archer</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1758976229065_Pathum-Nissanka.jpeg" alt="Pathum Nissanka" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Pathum Nissanka. (Photo source: Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Sri Lankan opener Nissanka has been the main man for the Lankans in this tournament having scored two half-centuries and a sensational unbeaten 100 against Australia. But he will have to face the Jofra Archer challenge in this match.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/jofra-archer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jofra Archer</a></strong> is yet to fire in the tournament, and there will be no better platform than the Super 8s to show up for the team. He has picked up six wickets so far in the T20 World Cup, and the English side would want him to deal with Nissanka in this clash.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="table-responsive">
<table border="1"><colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Matches</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Innings</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Runs Scored</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Balls Bowled</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Strike Rate</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Economy Rate&nbsp;</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Wicket Taken</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">02</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">02</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">16</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">12</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>133.3</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>08.00</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">01</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h3>2.&nbsp;Kusal Mendis vs Adil Rashid&nbsp;</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1757587269719_Adil-Rashid.jpeg" alt="Adil Rashid" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Adil Rashid. (Photo Source: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>This battle in the middle-overs will be crucial in deciding where the match result will go. Mendis is having a brilliant tournament, having scored three half-centuries so far. The right-hander will look to carry that form ahead.</p>
<p>But, against him will be England’s leading spinner <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-players/adil-rashid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adil Rashid</a></strong>. The English side will be relying on him to pick wickets in the middle-overs, especially Mendis, who has the ability to rotate the strike. Rashid has picked up six wickets so far and would want to increase the tally.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="table-responsive">
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Matches</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Innings</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Runs Scored</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Balls Bowled</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Strike Rate</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Economy Rate&nbsp;</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Wicket Taken</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">05</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">05</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">45</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">29</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>155.17</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>09.13</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">01</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h3>&nbsp;1. Maheesh Theekshana vs Jos Buttler&nbsp;</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1758348675305_Untitled-design---2025-09-20T114105.jpeg" alt="Jos Buttler during a T20I match" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Jos Buttler during a T20I match (Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Maheesh Theekshana, the mystery spinner, will be Sri Lanka's main weapon against England’s greatest white-ball batter, Jos Buttler. The off-spinner has picked up six wickets in four matches but is yet to produce a match-winning spell. He generally bowls in the powerplay and will be up against the aggressive Buttler.</p>
<p>The former English skipper is having a horror campaign so far, managing to score just 53 runs in four innings. Hence, he will be eager to make his mark in this contest.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="table-responsive">
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Matches</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Innings</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Runs Scored</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Balls Bowled</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Strike Rate</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Economy Rate&nbsp;</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Wicket Taken</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">03</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">03</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">19</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">26</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>73.07</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>04.38</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">01</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>

England will face co-hosts Sri Lanka in a blockbuster Super 8 encounter of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 22.&nbsp;For the Three Lions, it has be

T20 WC 2026, Super Eights: ENG vs SL – Top 3 player battles

Sri Lanka will face England on February 22, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele.

Find out the top players who can face each other in batting and bowling attacks during England vs Sri Lanka, Super Eights Match 42, of the T20 WC 2026, only on Crictracker.com.

Matches	Innings	Runs Scored	Balls Bowled	Strike Rate	Economy Rate	Wicket Taken
03	03	19	26	73.07	04.38	01