Sri Lanka vs England Prediction, 6th ODI, Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026

Sri Lanka vs England prediction for the sixth match of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026 favours Sri Lanka after its dramatic win over England earlier in the tournament and a convincing victory against Pakistan on 27 October. The match will take place at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Thursday, 29 October, with England seeking a consolation win after three consecutive defeats.

The tournament situation adds an important layer to this contest. Sri Lanka secured its place in the 31 October final by beating Pakistan by eight wickets, while England were eliminated after losing their first three matches. Consequently, this fixture will not decide qualification, but it remains an opportunity for England to finish the campaign with a better performance and for Sri Lanka to maintain momentum before the final.

Sri Lanka’s biggest recent statement came on 22 October, when it chased England’s 429/4 and reached 430/8 in 49.5 overs to win by two wickets. Harry Brook scored 202 for England, but Sri Lanka’s batting depth proved decisive in a remarkable high-scoring finish.

Sri Lanka then restricted Pakistan to 110 on 27 October, with Dilshan Madushanka taking 5/34, before completing the chase in 18.1 overs. England, meanwhile, lost to Pakistan by one wicket on 25 October despite bowling the hosts out for 243 after posting 241

Sri Lanka therefore enter with stronger tournament momentum and a clear recent win over England. However, England’s batting can still produce a major total, as Brook’s double century demonstrated. The central question is whether England can convert individual brilliance into a more complete team performance.

Match Details

Sri Lanka — Last 5 ODIs

England — Last 5 ODIs

Recent-form comparison

Sri Lanka have won three of the five matches listed, while England have won one. Sri Lanka’s latest two victories are particularly relevant: the team successfully chased 430 against England and then chased Pakistan’s 110 with minimal damage to its batting lineup.

England’s batting has shown considerable potential, but its recent results expose a problem with consistency across all three departments. The team scored 429/4 against Sri Lanka yet lost, then failed to defend 241 against Pakistan. Sri Lanka’s recent bowling performance against Pakistan offers the stronger current signal, although England’s power-hitting means the contest remains far from straightforward.

Sri Lanka Preview

Sri Lanka arrive in Lahore with confidence after securing a place in the tri-series final. The team’s most impressive performance was its chase of 430 against England on 22 October. That result showed that Sri Lanka can sustain a high scoring rate across 50 overs and keep its batting lineup active under pressure rather than relying on one isolated innings.

The top order will look to provide a stable start, allowing the middle order to build partnerships before accelerating. Kusal Mendis leads the side and is also listed as wicketkeeper, while Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando and Kamil Mishara provide top-order options. The side must balance attacking intent with wicket preservation: England’s seamers can exploit early movement, but a strong powerplay would put pressure on an attack that has struggled to close out matches.

Sri Lanka’s middle order has demonstrated resilience in the high-scoring win over England. Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage and Dasun Shanaka give the side options for rebuilding or accelerating, depending on the match situation. Shanaka’s finishing role could be important if Sri Lanka need a strong final 10 overs, while the team should avoid leaving too much work for the lower order.

The bowling attack has a recent standout performer in Dilshan Madushanka, who took 5/34 against Pakistan on 27 October. Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando and Eshan Malinga offer pace options, while Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana provide spin. The key will be adapting the lengths to England’s aggressive batting: short, predictable deliveries could be punished, but changes of pace and disciplined lines may create opportunities.

Sri Lanka’s main risk is complacency after qualification. With the final already secured, selection or workload management could affect the combination, though no specific rotation decision is confirmed. The side should focus on a disciplined powerplay with the ball and preserve enough batting depth to respond if England post a large total.

England Preview

England’s campaign has been disappointing in terms of results, but the team remains dangerous because of its ability to score quickly. The clearest example was the 429/4 against Sri Lanka on 22 October, when captain Harry Brook made 202. England still lost by two wickets, demonstrating that a huge total does not guarantee success when the bowling unit cannot take wickets consistently or protect the boundary in the closing overs.

England’s top order includes Ben Duckett, Tom Banton and Joe Root, with Brook providing a central role in the middle order. Will Jacks and Sam Curran offer additional batting and all-round options, while Jordan Cox provides another wicketkeeping choice. The batting plan should be to build a platform without slowing excessively in the middle overs. England have shown that they can accelerate late, but the team needs to turn big individual scores into a total that its bowlers can defend.

The recent loss to Pakistan exposed the other side of England’s game. England scored 241, then allowed Pakistan to complete a one-wicket chase despite having the opposition under pressure. A stronger death-over plan and more effective control of partnerships are essential. England must be willing to use spin and pace variations strategically rather than rely solely on defending boundaries.

Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson give England spin options, while Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker and Henry Crocombe are among the seam choices in the announced squad. The exact XI remains unconfirmed, so any tactical forecast should account for the final selection.

England are already eliminated, which removes qualification pressure but does not necessarily make the match easy. The team has an incentive to end its campaign positively and test combinations before leaving Pakistan. To win, England need a more balanced performance: a competitive total, early wickets against Sri Lanka, and greater accuracy during the final 10 overs.

Team Squad & Team News

Sri Lanka squad

• Kusal Mendis (captain and wicketkeeper)
• Pathum Nissanka
• Avishka Fernando
• Kamil Mishara
• Pavan Rathnayake
• Sahan Arachchige
• Kamindu Mendis
• Janith Liyanage
• Dasun Shanaka
• Dunith Wellalage
• Maheesh Theekshana
• Sachindu Colombage
• Dushmantha Chameera
• Asitha Fernando
• Dilshan Madushanka
• Eshan Malinga

England squad

• Harry Brook (captain)
• Gus Atkinson
• Sonny Baker
• Tom Banton
• James Coles
• Jordan Cox
• Mason Crane
• Henry Crocombe
• Sam Curran
• Liam Dawson
• Ben Duckett
• Will Jacks
• Jamie Overton
• Adil Rashid
• Joe Root
• Josh Tongue

Team news

Sri Lanka’s qualification for the final could influence selection, but no confirmed resting or rotation plan was found. England have already been eliminated, so the match may offer an opportunity to assess combinations; any changes should be confirmed from the toss announcement.

Probable Playing XI

Probable XIs are subject to official team announcements and the toss.

ENG vs SL Fantasy / Dream11 Prediction

For fantasy selection, Sri Lanka’s current momentum makes its core players attractive, but England’s top order should not be ignored after scoring 429/4 in the previous meeting. Prioritize players with high involvement rather than selecting only specialist batters.

Captain options

1. Harry Brook — scored 202 in the previous ODI against Sri Lanka, showing his high fantasy ceiling.
2. Kusal Mendis — leads Sri Lanka and can contribute significantly with the bat.

Vice-captain options

1. Pathum Nissanka — an important top-order option if Sri Lanka build another successful chase.
2. Sam Curran — offers potential points through both batting and bowling, subject to his role in the final XI.

ENG vs SL Head-to-Head — ODI Record

Last 5 ODI meetings

England have won three of these five meetings, but Sri Lanka won the most recent one in a high-scoring thriller. The rivalry remains competitive, and the latest match suggests Sri Lanka can overcome England’s batting firepower when its own lineup delivers through the full innings. The earlier results in England remain relevant context, but current tournament form is a stronger guide to this match.

Pitch Report

Gaddafi Stadium has supported high ODI totals in recent years, and its record includes scores well above 300. The latest tri-series matches, however, show that conditions and matchups can change the scoring pattern: England scored 241 against Pakistan on 25 October, while Pakistan were dismissed for 110 against Sri Lanka two days later.

Sri Lanka’s successful chase of 430 against England indicates that batters can score rapidly when set, but it should not be taken as the expected score for every match. England’s bowlers need to avoid predictable lengths, while Sri Lanka should use changes of pace and spin to prevent long partnerships.

The new ball could offer some assistance to seamers, but the match’s decisive phase may be the middle overs. Batters who rotate strike and preserve wickets should be well placed to accelerate late. If the pitch remains true, batting first and posting a substantial total could be attractive; if the surface is slower, the side that handles spin and pace changes better may gain an advantage.

Weather Report

DLS/Interruption Risk: Low

Broadcast Details

The match is scheduled to start at 1:30 PM IST (1:00 PM Pakistan time). In the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports and NOW are scheduled to show the ODI tri-series live. The PCB has also announced PCB Live streaming, PTV Sports, tapmad and Tamasha as coverage options for the series in designated regions.

Toss Prediction & Strategy

If Sri Lanka wins the toss

Sri Lanka could choose to bat first if the surface looks good for stroke play. A total around 280–300 would give its bowlers a useful target, especially after Madushanka’s recent success against Pakistan. If the pitch appears slower than expected, however, batting second could still be attractive because Sri Lanka’s batting lineup has recently shown it can manage a demanding chase.

If England wins the toss

England should consider batting first and putting scoreboard pressure on Sri Lanka. Its batting lineup has already scored 429/4 against this opponent, and a strong first innings would give the bowlers a clearer plan. England must then avoid the late-innings lapses that allowed Sri Lanka to complete that chase.

Toss Prediction

Predicted toss winner: Sri Lanka.

This is a prediction rather than a data-backed certainty. If Sri Lanka wins the toss, batting first is a reasonable option on a venue where recent historical data shows more wins for teams setting a target. The final decision should depend on the pitch inspection and confirmed lineups.

ODI Score Prediction

Winning Chances

Why the Win Percentage?

The most important reasons for the 57–43 split are Sri Lanka’s latest two wins, its ability to chase a record-level target against England, and Madushanka’s five-wicket haul against Pakistan. England’s overall ODI head-to-head advantage and Brook’s exceptional batting performance prevent Sri Lanka from being a strong favourite.

Key ODI Player Matchups

Key Batting & Bowling Targets

Expected top batter

Harry Brook (England) — his 202 against Sri Lanka in the previous ODI makes him England’s most obvious high-impact batting option, although repeating that performance is far from assured.

Expected top bowler

Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka) — he enters this match after taking 5/34 against Pakistan and could trouble England if he maintains his recent accuracy.

Potential X-factor

Dunith Wellalage (Sri Lanka) — his left-arm spin could be useful if England’s batters attempt to dominate the middle overs. His role and the pitch conditions will determine how much influence he has.

What Could Prove Us Wrong?

1. Brook produces another major innings: If Brook again bats deep and England post more than 320, Sri Lanka’s bowling attack could face a very different challenge.
2. England takes early wickets: Removing Nissanka and Mendis in the powerplay could expose Sri Lanka’s middle order and prevent another controlled chase.
3. Sri Lanka’s qualification affects selection: If key players are rested or the team experiments with its combination ahead of the final, England could gain an advantage.
4. England’s bowlers defend the middle overs better: Restricting boundaries and taking wickets between overs 11 and 40 would directly address the weakness exposed in the previous meeting.
5. Sri Lanka’s bowling form drops: Madushanka’s recent five-wicket haul is encouraging, but if England’s batters handle the new ball and spin more effectively, the match could become much closer than predicted.

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