SL vs ENG 2026: Sri Lanka announce 16-member squad for T20I series as final T20 World Cup prep

Sri Lanka have announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against England, set to begin on January 30 at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium. Dasun Shanaka will continue to lead the side as Sri Lanka have retained the core group from their recent series against Pakistan. The series serves as the final preparation assignment for both teams ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which gets underway on February 7.

The squad includes several experienced campaigners and key all-round options. Top-order batters Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Kusal Janith Perera will shoulder the responsibility of providing strong starts, while the middle order features the likes of Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka. Sri Lanka’s spin department looks formidable with Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, and Maheesh Theekshana, all of whom are expected to play crucial roles in home conditions.

In the pace department, Sri Lanka have named Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Pramod Madushan, and Eshan Malinga, offering a good mix of experience and youthful pace. The combination provides Shanaka with multiple bowling options across different phases of the innings.

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All three matches of the T20I series will be played at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium. The opening match is scheduled for Friday, January 30, followed by the second T20I on Sunday, February 1, and the series finale on Tuesday, February 3.

Sri Lanka enter the T20I series after losing the three-match ODI series 2–1 against England. The hosts claimed the opening ODI by 19 runs, courtesy of Kusal Mendis’ 93 and disciplined bowling performances from Pramod Madushan (3/39), Jeffrey Vandersay (2/39), and Dunith Wellalage (2/41). Despite half-centuries from Joe Root (61) and Ben Duckett (62), England fell short in the chase.

England bounced back in the second ODI with a five-wicket win, powered by Root’s 75. In the series decider, Root continued his fine form with an unbeaten 111, while Harry Brook struck a fluent 136* to seal the series. Pavan Rathnayake’s valiant 121 in the chase was not enough to prevent Sri Lanka from conceding the series.

Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign begins on February 8 against Ireland, followed by fixtures against Oman on February 12, Australia on February 16, and Zimbabwe on February 19.

Sri Lanka squad vs England:

Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga