Sri Lanka vs England Fantasy Prediction, Fantasy Tips and Preview — 3rd Match, ODI Tri Series in Pakistan 2026

Match Details: SL vs ENG 3rd ODI Fantasy Team

Tournament: ODI Tri Series in Pakistan 2026
Match: 3rd Match
Date: Thursday, 22 October 2026
Time: 2:00 PM IST (1:30 PM local time)
Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Home Team: Pakistan

Both teams lost their first game to Pakistan, so this is a big one. Pakistan have won both their games and sit on top. The loser here will find it hard to reach the final in Lahore on 31 October.

Recent Form

Sri Lanka:

• 18 Oct vs Pakistan, Rawalpindi: Lost by 37 runs. Pakistan 305 all out, Sri Lanka 268 all out. Pavan Rathnayake 79 off 74, Janith Liyanage 60 off 74, Kamindu Mendis 44 off 50. Eshan Malinga 4/46, Asitha Fernando 3/59.
• 27 Sep vs England, The Oval: Lost by 223 runs. England 355/7, Sri Lanka 132 all out.
• 24 Sep vs England, Headingley: Won by 16 runs. Sri Lanka 321/6. Kusal Mendis 121 off 100, Kamindu Mendis 54.

England:

• 20 Oct vs Pakistan, Rawalpindi: Lost by 87 runs. Pakistan 302/9, England 215 all out. Tom Banton 57 off 53, Ben Duckett 45 off 46, Joe Root 33. Sonny Baker 3/65, Gus Atkinson 2/35.
• 27 Sep vs Sri Lanka, The Oval: Won by 223 runs. Tom Banton made his first ODI hundred.
• 24 Sep vs Sri Lanka, Headingley: Lost by 16 runs. England 305/9.

Points Table

Team	P	W	L	Pts	NRR
Pakistan	2	2	0	4	Positive
Sri Lanka	1	0	1	0	-0.740
England	1	0	1	0	-1.740

SL vs ENG Head To Head

England beat Sri Lanka 2-1 in their ODI series in England last month. England have won 6 of the last 10 ODIs between the two sides.

SL vs ENG Squads

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (C & WK), Avishka Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Sahan Arachchige, Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga

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

Team news: Pathum Nissanka is out of the series with a hamstring injury. Jos Buttler is out for England after hamstring surgery, so Jordan Cox keeps wicket. Jofra Archer has been rested.

Pitch Report

Rawalpindi has been good for batting in this series. Pakistan made 305 and 302/9 batting first, and both chasing sides were bowled out. Fast bowlers have taken most of the wickets, but spinners like Arafat Minhas also did well.

For fantasy, take the top order batters and the bowlers who bowl in the death overs. The team batting first has won both games, so bat first if you win the toss. Around 290 looks like a good total.

Weather Report

It should be hazy and sunny in Rawalpindi on Thursday, around 24°C, with no chance of rain. A full 50 over game is expected.

Probable Playing XIs

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

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

England should keep the XI from Tuesday. Liam Dawson is an option if they want a second spinner. Final XIs come at the toss.

Top Fantasy Picks

1. Kusal Mendis (SL, wicketkeeper): 121 off 100 against England at Headingley last month. Captain and keeps wicket.
2. Tom Banton (ENG, batter): 57 off 53 on Tuesday and a hundred against Sri Lanka at The Oval.
3. Pavan Rathnayake (SL, batter): 79 off 74 against Pakistan, after 48 not out against England.
4. Janith Liyanage (SL, all rounder): 60 off 74 against Pakistan and 32 at Headingley. Bowls a few overs too.
5. Eshan Malinga (SL, bowler): 4/46 against Pakistan on Sunday.
6. Will Jacks (ENG, all rounder): Took five wickets and made 46 not out in an ODI against Sri Lanka this year. Bowls 10 overs of off spin.
7. Gus Atkinson (ENG, bowler): 2/35 on Tuesday and 2/55 against Sri Lanka last month.

SL vs ENG 3rd ODI Fantasy Team: Small Leagues

Wicketkeepers: Kusal Mendis (C), Jordan Cox

Batters: Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Pavan Rathnayake

All rounders: Janith Liyanage, Will Jacks (Vc), Kamindu Mendis

Bowlers: Eshan Malinga, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker

Captain: Kusal Mendis. A hundred against England last month, and he also keeps wicket.

Vice captain: Will Jacks. An all rounder who has taken five wickets in an ODI against Sri Lanka this year and bowls his full 10 overs.

SL vs ENG 3rd ODI Fantasy Team: Grand Leagues

Wicketkeeper: Kusal Mendis

Batters: Tom Banton (Vc), Joe Root, Pavan Rathnayake

All rounders: Janith Liyanage (C), Sam Curran, Dunith Wellalage, Will Jacks

Bowlers: Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Adil Rashid

Captain: Janith Liyanage. An all rounder who made 60 on Sunday and can bowl. Few people will make him captain.

Vice captain: Tom Banton. 57 on Tuesday and a hundred against Sri Lanka in his last game against them.

Differentials: Asitha Fernando took 3/59 on Sunday. Dunith Wellalage took 3/49 against England last month. Sam Curran made 27 on Tuesday and bowls seam.

Also Read: Best Fantasy Apps 2026 — Free Contests, Referral Codes and Honest Reviews

Match Prediction

England beat Sri Lanka 2-1 last month and have the stronger batting on paper. But they were bowled out for 215 on Tuesday, while Sri Lanka got to 268 against a good Pakistan attack. Sri Lanka’s middle order is in form, and they have their captain Kusal Mendis. Our pick is England to win a close game, as long as their top order fires.

SL vs ENG 3rd ODI Fantasy Team FAQs

Who will win Sri Lanka vs England today?
It should be close. England won the last series 2-1, so we pick England.

What is the SL vs ENG Fantasy prediction?
In small leagues, go with Kusal Mendis as captain and Will Jacks as vice captain. In grand leagues, try Janith Liyanage as captain and Tom Banton as vice captain.

What is the pitch report for Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium?
It has been good for batting, with 305 and 302 made batting first in this series. Around 290 looks like a good total.

What is the probable playing XI for Sri Lanka vs England?
Sri Lanka should be led by Kusal Mendis with Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis at the top. England should keep Tuesday’s XI, led by Harry Brook with Jordan Cox keeping. Final XIs come at the toss.

Who are the best captain and vice captain picks for SL vs ENG?
Will Jacks, Janith Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis are the best all rounder picks. Kusal Mendis and Tom Banton are also strong options.

What time does Sri Lanka vs England start?
The match starts at 2:00 PM IST on Thursday, 22 October 2026. That is 1:30 PM local time in Rawalpindi.