Sri Lanka Battles England in 2nd T20I Clash – 2026 Report
England faced Sri Lanka in the second T20I match on February 2, 2026, at Pallekele. After winning the toss, England opted to bowl first, continuing their strategy from the opening match of the series.
Controversy Surrounding Harry Brook
England’s captain, Harry Brook, has been at the center of controversy. Following revelations about his behavior during a night out in Wellington last year, calls for his dismissal have surfaced. Despite this scrutiny, Brook remains focused on the upcoming T20 World Cup. His leadership is under investigation after it was disclosed he misrepresented the events leading to his encounter with a nightclub bouncer.
England’s Line-Up
England maintained the same squad that claimed victory in the first T20I. Ben Duckett, who is recovering from a finger injury, was absent, allowing Jos Buttler to break James Anderson’s record with his 402nd international appearance. Here are the players:
- Phil Salt
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Jacob Bethell
- Tom Banton
- Harry Brook (capt)
- Sam Curran
- Will Jacks
- Jamie Overton
- Liam Dawson
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
Sri Lanka’s Adjustments
Sri Lanka made two notable changes to their lineup. Pavan Rathnayake and Dunith Wellalage replaced Dhananjaya de Silva and Maheesh Theekshana. Captain Dasun Shanaka expressed confidence in batting first on a pitch that has seen better days, urging his players to take advantage of the conditions against England’s spin attack. The Sri Lankan team includes:
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kamil Mishara
- Kusal Mendis
- Pavan Rathnayake
- Charith Asalanka
- Janith Liyanage
- Dasun Shanaka (capt)
- Dunith Wellalage
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Eshan Malinga
Looking Ahead
As the match unfolds, all eyes will be on England’s preparations for their first T20 World Cup match against Nepal in Mumbai next week. Despite internal challenges, the team aims to put controversies aside and focus on performing well in Sri Lanka.
