England’s tri-series in Pakistan has turned into a case study in how to lose unloseable games, and Thursday’s dead rubber against Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Stadium carries little beyond pride. Harry Brook’s side sit bottom with three defeats from three, twice having let seemingly won matches slip away, while Sri Lanka have already booked their spot in Saturday’s final after seeing off Pakistan in Lahore.
With both outcomes effectively decided before a ball is bowled, this one is about form and personnel rather than the table. Here’s what Cricket Insider UK readers need before the toss in Lahore.
Sri Lanka vs England 6th ODI Match Details
Lahore hosts the final group match of the tri-series, with Sri Lanka already through and England playing purely for pride after three straight defeats.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | 6th ODI, Tri-Series in Pakistan 2026 |
| Date | Thursday, October 29, 2026 |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Start Time | 1:30 PM IST (1:00 PM local) |
| Context | Dead rubber. Sri Lanka through to Saturday’s final, England eliminated |
(Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Sri Lanka vs England 6th ODI Predicted Playing 11
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis has floated the idea of “a couple of changes” now that his side’s progress is secured, with Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana and Sachindu Colombage all waiting for an opportunity. Even so, the early signs point to an unchanged XI.
England, with nothing left to play for, are expected to rest their Test quicks Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson, handing fresh opportunities to Sonny Baker and Henry Crocombe, while a recall for Adil Rashid is also under consideration.
Sri Lanka Predicted XI: Winning Combination Likely to Stay Together
Mendis suggested changes are possible, but the side that beat Pakistan to reach the final looks set to be given one more game together.
Sri Lanka Playing 11: Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
England Predicted XI: Baker and Crocombe in Line for Game Time
With the Test quicks likely rested, England are set to lean on uncapped depth and the returning Rashid to freshen things up.
England Playing 11: Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Sonny Baker, Henry Crocombe
Liam Dawson’s all round balance edges out Sam Curran for the all rounder’s spot here, though England could just as easily go the other way, and uncapped pair James Coles and Mason Crane remain options yet to feature on this tour.
(Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Gaddafi Stadium Pitch and Weather Report for Sri Lanka vs England
Run scoring has been hard to come by at this ground all year, a sharp contrast to the regular 300 plus totals seen here during last year’s Champions Trophy.
| Match (2026, batting first) | Total |
|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 231 for 9 |
| 2nd ODI | 157 all out |
| 3rd ODI | 241 all out |
| 5th ODI (Pakistan) | 110 all out |
- Pakistan’s 110 all out came against Dilshan Madushanka’s left arm seam in the last match played here, underlining how much this surface has slowed down.
- Expect another warm, dry afternoon, with temperatures forecast to hit 30 degrees Celsius and no threat of rain.
- Conditions should again reward disciplined seam and spin bowling over out-and-out power hitting.
(Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Sri Lanka vs England Head-to-Head in ODIs
The overall record between these two sides is close to even across more than four decades of matches, which makes this tri-series whitewash look even more one sided by comparison.
Result summary for England vs Sri Lanka in ODIs
| Team | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | NR | %W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 86 | 42 | 40 | 1 | 3 | 51.20 |
| Sri Lanka | 86 | 40 | 42 | 1 | 3 | 48.79 |
England hold a narrow edge overall, but it’s Sri Lanka who travel to Lahore with the momentum and a final already secured.
(Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Related Reads
Key Players to Watch in the Sri Lanka vs England 6th ODI
Kusal Mendis will be hoping his luck turns after two of the strangest dismissals of his career in this series.
- Run out backing up off Gus Atkinson’s fingertips without facing a ball against England, then bowled via his own bat and pad against Pakistan.
- He still has a century against England from earlier in 2026 to fall back on for confidence.
Jordan Cox could use a score after a quiet tri-series following his breakout home summer.
- Two dropped catches behind the stumps in the tournament opener against Pakistan.
- Scores of just 18 and 6 with the bat so far, well below the form that earned him a two year central contract.
Pavan Rathnayake has history against this opposition that marks him out as Sri Lanka’s biggest threat with the bat.
- Both of his ODI centuries have come against England, including 130 off 106 balls in the last meeting between the sides.
- He averages 54 in 7 ODIs against England specifically.
Dilshan Madushanka arrives full of confidence after the best bowling figures of his career.
- Figures of 5 for 34 skittled Pakistan in the last match to send Sri Lanka through to the final.
- He has taken 7 wickets in 3 matches so far in the tri-series.
(Source: ESPNcricinfo, Crex)
Sources
- Fastest Successful 100+ Run Chase By Sri Lanka In ODIs: Used to verify Kamindu Mendis and Avishka Fernando’s recent chase contributions referenced in the predicted XI analysis.
- Kusal Mendis in disbelief after bizarre dismissal in PAK vs SL ODI: Used to verify the unusual dismissal referenced for Kusal Mendis in the key players section.
- Dilshan Madushanka skittles Pakistan with record ODI figures for Sri Lanka: Used to verify Madushanka’s 5 for 34 and his wicket tally in the tri-series.
- PAK vs SL 5th ODI, Tri-Series in Pakistan 2026 match updates: Used to verify Sri Lanka’s result against Pakistan and their qualification for the final.
