SL vs ENG Match Prediction : 6th ODI, Pakistan ODI Tri-Series, 2026

Sri Lanka face England in the sixth match of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on October 29. Sri Lanka have already secured their place in the final after defeating England in a remarkable run chase earlier in the tournament, while England enter this fixture after three consecutive defeats.

With Harry Brook's side looking to end their campaign on a positive note and Sri Lanka aiming to build momentum before the final, this encounter offers an interesting contest between England's aggressive batting and Sri Lanka's recent winning form.

Head-to-Head Record

England has won three out of the most recent five ODI's against Sri Lanka. That could easily have been four but SL managed to pull off one of the greatest ODI chases of all time in their previous match.

Tournament Standings

Pakistan top the group with three wins from four. Sri Lanka are second with four points from three games, while England are third with no points after three matches and a negative net run rate.

Sri Lanka Preview

Sri Lanka enter this match with considerable confidence after producing one of the tournament's standout performances against England. Their batting line-up has shown that it can recover from difficult situations and chase large targets, with Pavan Rathnayake emerging as a key player. His 130 in the previous meeting demonstrated his ability to build an innings while maintaining an attacking approach.

Dasun Shanaka also made a major contribution with 97 off 50 balls, providing the acceleration Sri Lanka needed late in the chase. Kusal Mendis brings experience and leadership to the side, while Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage and Dunith Wellalage provide additional batting depth.

Sri Lanka's bowling attack will need to be more effective than it was in the previous encounter, when England accumulated 429 runs. Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka offer pace and wicket-taking potential, while Eshan Malinga provides another seam option.

Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana can supply spin during the middle overs, helping Sri Lanka control the scoring rate and force batters into mistakes. Their biggest concern is containing England's aggressive batting, particularly if Brook or Duckett gets established early.

Predicted Playing XI

England Preview

England have endured a disappointing tri-series campaign, losing all three of their matches so far, but their batting remains capable of producing exceptional performances. Harry Brook is the key figure after scoring 202 against Sri Lanka, while Ben Duckett provides an aggressive option at the top of the order.

Joe Root brings composure and the ability to anchor an innings, and Tom Banton and Jordan Cox offer further options in the top and middle order. Will Jacks can accelerate the scoring rate and contribute useful overs, while Sam Curran and Jamie Overton add power and all-round depth.

England's 429/4 against Sri Lanka showed how dangerous this group can be when its leading batters spend time at the crease. Their challenge is to reproduce that quality more consistently rather than allowing promising positions to go to waste.

England's main weakness has been their inability to turn competitive performances into victories. They have struggled to defend totals and have also been vulnerable when opposing teams apply pressure during the middle and death overs. Their bowling attack needs to improve its execution, especially against batters who attack the shorter boundaries and target the gaps.

Predicted Playing XI

Toss Prediction

We expect the captain winning the toss to bowl first, aiming to assess conditions early and chase with clarity later.

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore generally offers good batting conditions, with a surface that can provide consistent bounce and allow set batters to score freely. The new ball may offer some assistance to seamers, but batting often becomes more comfortable once players settle in. Spinners could play an important role during the middle overs, particularly if the surface slows as the match progresses. Given the teams' previous high-scoring encounter at Rawalpindi, a total above 300 is a realistic possibility.

The forecast points to hazy, dry conditions around 29 degrees Celsius with light winds and clear skies, suggesting minimal weather disruption and consistent playing conditions.

Our Prediction

England's recent results have been poor, but their batting line-up has demonstrated its potential to score heavily, particularly through Harry Brook, Joe Root and Ben Duckett. Sri Lanka have the advantage of winning the previous meeting, yet their qualification for the final could affect their team selection. If England's batters deliver another strong performance and their bowlers improve their control at the death, they can finish the league stage with a victory.

For those exploring markets, consider checking how prices move on cricket odds across bookmakers and our broader betting sites overview before staking. Our pick leans Sri Lanka, with England needing early wickets to change the trajectory. For more context on our match calls, see our latest cricket predictions and tips.

Bet on England to win.