Sri Lanka vs England, POTS 2026, Today Match Prediction

SL vs ENG Match Prediction & Analysis

The 3rd match of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026-27 will be played between Sri Lanka and England. The match will be played on Thursday, October 22 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

Both teams come into this match on the back of losing their respective opening game of the series to the hosts Pakistan. Both sides failed to match Pakistan's first innings total, Sri Lanka lost by 37 runs while England succumbed to a 87 runs defeat.

We are set to witness fierce action in Rawalpindi as both the teams have historically delivered some amazing games. There have been a total of 81 matches between the two teams and England has the slight lead with 40 wins to Sri Lanka’s 37 wins.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

SL

L L W L W

PAK

305/10 in 49.5 6.12

POTS 2026

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs 18 Oct 2026

SL

268/10 in 48.1 5.56

ENG

355/7 in 50.0 7.1

ENG vs SL

England Won by 223 runs 27 Sep 2026

SL

132/10 in 29.1 4.53

ENG

305/9 in 50.0 6.1

ENG vs SL

Sri Lanka beat England by 16 runs 24 Sep 2026

SL

321/6 in 50.0 6.42

ENG

265/10 in 48.1 5.5

ENG vs SL

England beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs 22 Sep 2026

SL

176/10 in 37.0 4.76

WI

262/10 in 49.2 5.31

WI vs SL 2026

Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 41 runs 03 Jun 2026

SL

303/7 in 50.0 6.06

ENG

L W L W W

PAK

302/9 in 50.0 6.04

POTS 2026

Pakistan won by 87 runs 20 Oct 2026

ENG

215/10 in 38.4 5.56

ENG

355/7 in 50.0 7.1

ENG vs SL

England Won by 223 runs 27 Sep 2026

SL

132/10 in 29.1 4.53

ENG

305/9 in 50.0 6.1

ENG vs SL

Sri Lanka beat England by 16 runs 24 Sep 2026

SL

321/6 in 50.0 6.42

ENG

265/10 in 48.1 5.5

ENG vs SL

England beat Sri Lanka by 89 runs 22 Sep 2026

SL

176/10 in 37.0 4.76

ENG

387/3 in 50.0 7.74

ENG vs IND 2026

England beat India by 27 runs 19 Jul 2026

IND

360/7 in 50.0 7.2

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Sri Lanka Preview

Sri Lanka also sit on zero points after a 37 run loss to Pakistan in their series opener and now face England in Rawalpindi looking for their first points of the tri-series. Chasing 306, they showed fight but ultimately fell short at 268 in 48.1 overs.

Pavan Rathnayake led the way with a well crafted 79 runs innings, while Janith Liyanage made a composed 60. Kamindu Mendis contributed 44 and Dasun Shanaka provided a late flourish with 28, yet Sri Lanka struggled to maintain momentum after losing early wickets. The middle order found it difficult to accelerate against Pakistan’s disciplined bowling, and the lower order could not finish the chase strongly.

With the ball, Eshan Malinga was outstanding, claiming 4 wickets, while Asitha Fernando took 3 and Dilshan Madushanka got two. Despite these efforts, the attack struggled to contain Pakistan’s middle-order recovery, allowing the hosts to reach 305. 

Sri Lanka will need tighter bowling in the middle overs and more consistent batting contributions across the board if they are to open their account against an England side also searching for a first win. Something that they will look to exploit is England's struggles against spin.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (C, WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Sachindu Colombage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Avishka Fernando, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Kusal Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga

England Preview

England enter the third match of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026-27 against Sri Lanka at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium with zero points after a disappointing 87 run defeat to the hosts in their opening game. Harry Brook’s side had started the chase of 303 brightly but collapsed in the middle and later stages, eventually being bowled out for 215 in just 38.4 overs.

Tom Banton provided the brightest spark with a fluent 57 off 53 balls, while Ben Duckett made a solid 45. Joe Root contributed 33 and Sam Curran added 27 runs, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to convert starts into substantial scores. 

Will Jacks (19) and Jordan Cox (18) offered brief resistance, yet England struggled to build meaningful partnerships once the top order was broken. The middle order in particular looked fragile against quality spin and pace variations.

With the ball, Sonny Baker was the pick of the attack with 3 wickets, and Gus Atkinson claimed 2, but the unit as a whole leaked runs at crucial stages and could not prevent Pakistan from posting a competitive total. England will need far greater consistency with both bat and ball if they are to get their campaign back on track against Sri Lanka.

England Predicted Playing XI:

Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (C), Jordan Cox (WK), Wil Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker.

England Actual Playing XI:

Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Josh Tongue

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The weather forecast in Rawalpindi on matchday suggests it will be a very good day with clear skies. It won't be a particularly hot day as the temperature would hover between highs around 27°C and low approx 18°C. There is no risk of rain for the game with less than 10% probability of precipitation throughout the matchday.

SL vs ENG Pitch Report

The Rawalpindi Ground pitch is truly a batting-friendly surface. Pacers can extract some early movement with the new ball, but the surface settles quickly and offers true bounce that allows batters to score freely. The ball comes nicely on the bat, allowing for the batters to time it properly. Spinners find limited help from the surface, but can still make an impact. The average first inning score at the venue is 269 in 2026.

Toss: To Bowl

The captain who win the toss, would want to bowl first. The Rawalpindi Ground being favourable for the batters, it remains pretty much the same throughout the game. Both teams would want to bowl first and get the opposition out early and chase the target.