SL vs ENG Today Match Prediction, Fantasy Tips, Playing XI & Pitch Report – Who Will Win the Sri Lanka vs England 3rd ODI Match?
Joe Root averages 101 in his last 10 ODIs. Sri Lanka’s bowlers have already seen a lot of him this year, and they will be hoping he finally has an off day in Rawalpindi.

SL vs ENG Match Preview
Sri Lanka and England meet in the third match of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series, and both teams need a win. Pakistan beat both of them in the first two games, so this SL vs ENG match prediction comes with real pressure on both sides.
England lost to Pakistan by 87 runs. They were chasing 302 but got bowled out for 215, with Arafat Minhas taking 6/40. Sri Lanka lost the opener by 37 runs after chasing 305.
England still look the stronger team. Joe Root has 606 runs in his last 10 ODIs, and England beat Sri Lanka in four of their last five ODIs, including a 223-run win just last month.
Sri Lanka will depend on Kusal Mendis, who has 461 runs at an average of 57.63. They need him to score big if they want to stay alive in this series.
SL vs ENG Match Details
Here are the key details for the SL vs ENG 3rd ODI.
|
Detail |
Info |
|
Match |
England vs Sri Lanka — 3rd Match (D/N) |
|
Date & Time |
October 22, 2026, 1:30 PM IST |
|
Venue |
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
|
Series |
Pakistan ODI Tri-Series |
|
Live Streaming |
Ten Sports, FanCode (India) |
SL vs ENG Pitch Report – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Rawalpindi is a good batting pitch, but fast bowlers get help with the new ball. The pitch can also slow down as the game goes on.
The two games in this series show both sides of it. Against Sri Lanka, Pakistan’s fast bowlers took all 10 wickets. Against England, the pitch was slower, and spinner Arafat Minhas took 6/40.
Teams batting first won both games here, with totals of 305 and 302. So 300 has been a strong score in this series. This is the third game at this ground in five days, so expect a slower pitch, and spinners and slower balls may play a bigger role later on.
Read Also: How to Read a Cricket Pitch Report Before a Match: A Beginner’s Guide to Predicting Outcomes
Sri Lanka vs England Recent Form
The recent results show England in better shape than Sri Lanka.
|
Team |
Recent Performance |
|
England |
W W L W L |
|
Sri Lanka |
A L W L L |
Sri Lanka vs England Head-to-Head Record
England have dominated this matchup recently, winning four of the last five ODIs.
|
Date |
Result |
Margin |
|
27-Sep-2026 |
England won |
223 runs |
|
24-Sep-2026 |
Sri Lanka won |
16 runs |
|
22-Sep-2026 |
England won |
89 runs |
|
27-Jan-2026 |
England won |
53 runs |
|
24-Jan-2026 |
England won |
5 wickets (22 balls remaining) |
Sri Lanka vs England Probable Playing XI
The probable playing XIs for the third match are as follows.
Sri Lanka:
Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (C, WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Sachindu Colombage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
England:
Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (C), Jordan Cox (WK), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker
Top Picks for SL vs ENG Fantasy Team
These players stand out based on their recent performances and current statistics.
Top Batting Picks
- Joe Root (ENG, BAT) — 606 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 101. The form batter in this contest by a distance.
- Kusal Mendis (SL, BAT/WK) — 461 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 57.63. Sri Lanka’s most important batter.
- Ben Duckett (ENG, BAT) — 436 runs in his last 10 ODIs at a strike rate of 92.96.
- Pavan Rathnayake (SL, BAT) — 376 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 41.78.
Top Bowling Picks
- Asitha Fernando (SL, BOWL) — 13 wickets in his last 8 ODIs. The leading wicket-taker in this contest.
- Will Jacks (ENG, ALL/BOWL) — 11 wickets in his last 9 ODIs at an economy of 5.07. Useful on a slowing pitch.
- Gus Atkinson (ENG, BOWL) — 10 wickets in his last 6 ODIs at an economy under 5.
- Eshan Malinga (SL, BOWL) — Took 4/46 against Pakistan at this ground in the series opener.
Sri Lanka vs England Fantasy Team
Here is a suggested fantasy team for the SL vs ENG 3rd ODI.
|
Role |
Player |
|
WK |
Kusal Mendis (VC) |
|
BAT |
Joe Root (C) · Ben Duckett · Harry Brook · Pavan Rathnayake |
|
ALL |
Will Jacks · Sam Curran |
|
BOWL |
Gus Atkinson · Asitha Fernando · Eshan Malinga · Adil Rashid |
Captain and Vice-Captain Choices
- Captain: Joe Root
- Vice-Captain: Kusal Mendis
Sri Lanka vs England Toss Prediction
Toss Prediction: Bat first
Rawalpindi has a slight chasing record overall, but this series tells a different story. Both games went to the team batting first, and 300 was enough each time. This is also the third game here in five days, so the pitch should get slower later. Even with dew in the last game, England could not chase 302.
Sri Lanka vs England Today Match Prediction
Prediction: England to Win
England have won four of their last five ODIs against Sri Lanka, and Joe Root is in amazing form. Their batting is deeper, and Adil Rashid and Will Jacks should enjoy a slower pitch.
Sri Lanka have good fast bowlers in Asitha Fernando and Eshan Malinga, so they can trouble England early. But they need Kusal Mendis to play a big innings. Overall, England should bounce back with a win.
Joe Root is the selected captain given his average of 101 in his last 10 ODIs. Kusal Mendis is another strong option for Sri Lanka given his consistent batting.
England are favourites thanks to their deeper batting and strong recent record against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka will look to Kusal Mendis and their fast bowlers to cause an upset.
The toss prediction is to bat first. Both games in this series went to the team batting first, and the pitch is likely to slow down later.
England have won 4 of their last 5 ODIs against Sri Lanka, including a 223-run win in September 2026.
Joe Root and Kusal Mendis are the selected key fantasy options based on their current form. Asitha Fernando and Will Jacks are also worth considering.