SL vs ENG 3rd ODI Match Prediction: Who Will Win, Probable XIs, Pitch Report
Sri Lanka and England meet in the 3rd ODI of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday, October 22 — a clash both sides need after very different starts to the tournament. Sri Lanka come in wounded but spirited after a 37-run defeat to Pakistan in the tri-series opener, while England begin life on the road in their first ODI series in Pakistan in 21 years.
England, led by Harry Brook, open their campaign against Pakistan on October 20 in Rawalpindi before turning their attention to Sri Lanka, while Kusal Mendis’s Sri Lanka will be desperate to get their first points on the board after a fighting chase fell short in the opener.
SL vs ENG 3rd ODI Match Details, Timings and Venue
| Match | Sri Lanka vs England, 3rd ODI |
| Series | Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026 (ODI Tri-Nation Series 2026) |
| Date | Thursday, October 22, 2026 |
| Time | 1:30 PM IST (1:00 PM PKT) |
| Toss | 12:30 PM PKT |
| Venue | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| Broadcast (India) | Sony Sports Network; streaming on SonyLIV |
| Broadcast (Pakistan) | PTV Sports; streaming on Tamasha, Tapmad and PCB Live |
| Broadcast (UK) | Sky Sports; streaming on Sky Go and NOW |
| Broadcast (North America) | Willow TV |
Tri-Series 2026 Schedule and Points Table Situation
The seven-match series runs from October 18 to the final on October 31 in Lahore, with the top two sides progressing to the decider:
- Oct 18: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Rawalpindi — Pakistan won by 37 runs
- Oct 20: Pakistan vs England, Rawalpindi
- Oct 22: Sri Lanka vs England, Rawalpindi
- Oct 25: Pakistan vs England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Oct 27: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Oct 29: Sri Lanka vs England, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Oct 31: Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
After the opener, Pakistan sit on 2 points, Sri Lanka on 0, and England are yet to play — they open their campaign against Pakistan on October 20 in Rawalpindi, the same ground that hosts this game. That means both sides will arrive with a clearer picture of the conditions and of each other, but Sri Lanka are the team under scoreboard pressure: another defeat would leave them needing results in Lahore just to stay in final contention.
Tri-Series Opener Recap — Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka by 37 Runs
The October 18 opener was a proper ODI. Sri Lanka won the toss and bowled first, and were made to pay as Pakistan piled up 305 all out in 49.5 overs. Salman Ali Agha was the star with 107 off 90 balls — his fourth ODI hundred — earning Player of the Match, with support from Babar Azam (45), Saad Baig (39) and Hasan Nawaz (37). For Sri Lanka, Eshan Malinga’s 4/46 and Asitha Fernando’s 3/59 were the bowling highlights.
Sri Lanka’s chase of 306 was brave but ultimately short. Pavan Rathnayake’s 79 off 74 and Janith Liyanage’s 60 off 74 built a 119-run fifth-wicket stand that briefly threatened an upset, while Kamindu Mendis added 44 — but the visitors were bowled out for 268 in 48.1 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/55), Naseem Shah (2/44) and Haris Rauf (2/48) shared the spoils for Pakistan. For the full story of that game, read our tri-series opener preview.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and ODI Conditions
Rawalpindi has traditionally been a batting-friendly venue with true bounce, and the opener’s 573-run aggregate confirmed there are runs in the surface. The new ball can do a touch early on, but once batters are set, the outfield is quick and the boundaries are gettable.
One factor to watch is dew. The October 18 match report noted that dew set in during the evening, making the ball harder to grip for bowlers in the second innings — a big reason Sri Lanka chose to bowl first after winning the toss. With a 1:00 PM PKT start, the second innings will again run into the evening, so the captain winning the toss may well fancy a chase.
Sri Lanka Team Preview and Squad for 3rd ODI
There was plenty to like in Sri Lanka’s opener despite the defeat. Rathnayake’s 79 and Liyanage’s fluent 60 showed the batting has fight, Malinga’s four-wicket haul marked him as a new-ball threat, and the spin pair of Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage remain the side’s point of difference on subcontinent-style surfaces. The concern is the top order: too much was left to the middle order in the chase, and Kusal Mendis will want his senior batters — himself, Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis — to take ownership against England.
Sri Lanka squad:
- Kusal Mendis (C)
- Sahan Arachchige
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Sachindu Colombage
- Avishka Fernando
- Asitha Fernando
- Janith Liyanage
- Dilshan Madushanka
- Eshan Malinga
- Kamindu Mendis
- Kamil Mishara
- Pathum Nissanka
- Pavan Rathnayake
- Dasun Shanaka
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Dunith Wellalage
England Team Preview and Squad for 3rd ODI
England arrive in Pakistan for their first ODI series in the country in 21 years, and Harry Brook’s squad is packed with white-ball pedigree. Joe Root’s presence lends the batting enormous stability, Ben Duckett and Will Jacks bring aggressive top-order intent, and Sam Curran, Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid give the side balance and spin options. The pace attack — Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and company — will test Sri Lanka’s top order with the new ball.
The unknown is how quickly England adapt to Rawalpindi’s conditions. Their opening game against Pakistan on October 20 gives them one look at the venue before this fixture — and one result that will shape the mood in their camp. For context on that match, see our Pakistan vs England prediction.
England squad:
- Harry Brook (C)
- 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
SL vs ENG Probable Playing 11 for 3rd ODI
These are probable XIs based on the announced squads and Sri Lanka’s combination from the tri-series opener.
Sri Lanka Probable XI
- Kusal Mendis (C, WK)
- Pathum Nissanka
- Avishka Fernando
- Kamindu Mendis
- Pavan Rathnayake
- Janith Liyanage
- Dasun Shanaka
- Dunith Wellalage
- Eshan Malinga
- Asitha Fernando
- Dilshan Madushanka
Dushmantha Chameera is the alternative seam option if Sri Lanka want extra pace.
England Probable XI
- Harry Brook (C)
- Ben Duckett
- Tom Banton
- Joe Root
- Will Jacks
- Sam Curran
- Jordan Cox (WK)
- Liam Dawson
- Adil Rashid
- Gus Atkinson
- Josh Tongue
Key Battles to Watch in SL vs ENG 3rd ODI
Joe Root and Harry Brook vs Theekshana and Wellalage
Sri Lanka’s best route to an upset runs through their spinners. Maheesh Theekshana’s mystery and Dunith Wellalage’s left-arm orthodox are built for middle-overs strangulation — but Joe Root is arguably the finest player of spin in world cricket, and Harry Brook dismantles spin with sweep-heavy aggression. Whichever pair wins this duel likely wins the match.
Adil Rashid vs Sri Lanka’s Middle Order
Turnabout is fair play: Adil Rashid’s leg-spin against a Sri Lankan middle order that did the heavy lifting in the opener. Rathnayake, Liyanage and Kamindu Mendis all looked comfortable against pace in the chase; Rashid’s variations through the middle overs are England’s best weapon to break partnerships.
Eshan Malinga’s New Ball vs England’s Top Order
Malinga’s 4/46 in the opener announced him as Sri Lanka’s form new-ball bowler. Against Duckett, Banton and Jacks — three batters who like to attack the powerplay — early wickets are Sri Lanka’s clearest path to pressure. If England’s top order survives the first ten overs, their depth could take the game away.
Pathum Nissanka vs England’s Seamers
Sri Lanka need a platform this time, and Nissanka is the man to provide it. How he handles Atkinson and Tongue with the new ball — and whether he can bat deep enough to let the middle order play with freedom — may decide whether Sri Lanka post a total their spinners can defend.
Who Will Win — SL vs ENG 3rd ODI Match Prediction
This is a genuinely intriguing contest. Sri Lanka showed real fight in the opener: Rathnayake is in form, Liyanage announced himself, Malinga is bowling beautifully, and Theekshana and Wellalage give them a spin attack that can trouble anyone. At home in the region’s conditions — and playing their second game at the venue to England’s second as well — they are far from pushovers.
But England’s squad depth is hard to ignore. Root and Brook are proven match-winners, Duckett and Jacks can take a powerplay apart, and Rashid, Curran and Dawson give Brook control through the middle overs. In a 50-over game, that depth of quality usually tells — especially if the Rawalpindi surface stays true and dew aids the chase.
Prediction: England to win the 3rd ODI. Sri Lanka’s spin and Rathnayake’s form make them dangerous, but England’s batting depth and Rashid’s middle-overs control should see them home in what promises to be a high-quality contest.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the SL vs ENG 3rd ODI?
Sri Lanka vs England, the 3rd ODI of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026, is on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.
What time does SL vs ENG start in India?
The match starts at 1:30 PM IST (1:00 PM PKT), with the toss at 12:30 PM PKT.
Where can I watch SL vs ENG 3rd ODI in India?
In India, the match is live on the Sony Sports Network and streams on SonyLIV. In Pakistan it is on PTV Sports (streaming on Tamasha, Tapmad and PCB Live), in the UK on Sky Sports, and in North America on Willow TV.
Who won the tri-series opener?
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the October 18 opener at Rawalpindi — Pakistan posted 305 all out (Salman Ali Agha 107) and bowled Sri Lanka out for 268 (Pavan Rathnayake 79).
Is this England’s first ODI series in Pakistan in a long time?
Yes — this is England’s first ODI series in Pakistan in 21 years.