Final result
England won by 12 runs
Player of the match: SM Curran
Result · T20 Internationals
England vs Sri Lanka
Result · T20 Internationals
Venue par · 130Chase success · 77%POTM · SM Curran
Match preview & overview
England edge Sri Lanka by 12 runs at Pallekele as Curran shines
England beat Sri Lanka by 12 runs at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on 3 February 2026, completing a fourth win in five matches across the 2026 series. England won the toss and batted, but were in early trouble at 35/4 after the powerplay. The middle overs steadied the innings, adding 57 runs for 2 wickets, and a late burst of 36 at the death lifted the total to 128/9. Sri Lanka's chase started well, with 46/2 at the powerplay, but five wickets fell for just 19 runs in the death phase and they were bowled out for 116. Sam Curran, who influenced the match with ball in hand at the critical moments, was named Player of the Match.
The margin, 12 runs, understates how decisive England's bowling performance was in the final overs. Sri Lanka were within touching distance at the midway point of the chase, needing a controlled finish. They did not get one. England's ability to take wickets in clusters, particularly under pressure in the last four overs, has been a feature throughout this series.
Pitch report & venue insights
Cricket Stadium, Sector-16 — 13-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2019. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
13
T20 matches hosted
130
Avg 1st-innings score
119
Avg 2nd-innings score
77%
Chase success rate
36
Avg powerplay runs
46%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Curran wins it as England survive a wobble
Sam Curran was named Player of the Match after England posted 128/9 and then restricted Sri Lanka to 116 all out. England's innings never fully recovered from losing 4 wickets in the powerplay for just 35 runs, but the lower order steadied to set a competitive target on a surface where 128 proved enough.
Angle 02
Sri Lanka's death overs cost them the match
Angle 03
England's powerplay collapse made 128 feel precarious
Angle 04
England's series form is exceptional: four wins from five
Angle 05
Venue average well above what either side managed
Key players
Players who decided it
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Player performance markets for all-rounders may be worth considering given Sam Curran's match-winning contribution across both innings disciplines.
- Pallekele's average first-innings score of 208 across 106 matches suggests top-batter markets could be more attractive than outright result lines if conditions produce a closer score than the venue norm.
- Sri Lanka's death-overs collapse (5 wickets for 19 runs) has been a recurring pattern in this series. Markets around total wickets or phase-specific lines may reflect that trend.
- With the toss win leading England to bat first and the chase success rate at Pallekele sitting at 51 per cent, toss-influenced lines may not offer the edge they appear to at first glance.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about England vs Sri Lanka
What was the result of England vs Sri Lanka at Pallekele on 3 February 2026?
England won by 12 runs. They posted 128/9 batting first and then bowled Sri Lanka out for 116. Sam Curran was named Player of the Match.
Who won the toss and what did they decide?
England won the toss and chose to bat. They finished on 128/9, which proved enough to defend despite a challenging surface for batting.
Where can I watch England vs Sri Lanka T20Is in the UK?
Coverage of England's tours is typically available on Sky Sports Cricket, with streaming via Sky Go and NOW TV. Check Sky Sports for the broadcast schedule ahead of any remaining matches in the series.
What is the head-to-head record between England and Sri Lanka in T20Is?
Across 97 T20I meetings, England lead 49-37 with 10 no-results. England have won all five of their most recent meetings in 2026, including three at Pallekele.
How has Sam Curran performed in this series?
Curran was named Player of the Match in the 3 February fixture at Pallekele, contributing with both bat and ball on a day when England needed lower-order resilience to post a competitive total and discipline in the death overs to defend it.
What is Pallekele's average first-innings score in T20 cricket?
Across 106 matches at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, the average first-innings score is 208. England's 128/9 was well below that average, making their 12-run victory all the more a reflection of their bowling rather than their batting.