SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS (FEBRUARY 2026) – By Victor Melder
Sri Lankan women’s cricket umpire, Nimali Perera has become the first Sri Lankan women’s official to oversee a men’s international match when she was appointed TV umpire for the first T-20 men’s match between Sri Lanka and England at Pallekele Stadium yesterday. She also named as TV umpire for the second T -20 game with Ravindra Kottahachchi and Chamara de Soyza both being latest addition to the international matches by ICC. Nimali Perera brings with her a wealth of experience in international women’s cricket having officiated as an umpire in 22 Women’s ODIs, 58 Women’s T20Is and 3 List A matches. The 35-year-old Nimali Perera hails from Kalutara played for Colts CC and Army SC later become an umpire and she was the first Sri Lanka women’s umpire for the women’s World Cup and now became first Sri Lanka women’s official to overseas men’s international match. (Daily News, 2.2.2026)
The touring English beat Sri Lanka by6 wickets (DLS Method), in the 2nd T20, played at Pallekelle International Stadium, Kandy, Scores: Sri Lanka – 189/5 in 20 Overs ( Rathnayake 40, Mishara 36, Nissanka 34, Archers 2/42, Jacks 1/44).
England – 1783/4 in 6.4 Overs ( Banton 54no, Butler 39, Brook 36, Pathirana 2/47, Shanaka 1/24)
Player of the Match: Tom Banton (England)
The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Panel has selected a 15-member Sri Lanka Men’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will commence on 7th February, with India and Sri Lanka co-hosting the tournament. The squad include:
- Dasun Shanaka – Captain
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kamil Mishara
- Kusal Mendis
- Kamindu Mendis
- Kusal Janith Perera
- Charith Asalanka
- Janith Liyanage
- Pavan Rathnayake
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Dunith Wellalage
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Eshan Malinga (Daily Mirror, 3.2. 2026)
The touring English beat Sri Lanka by12 runs in the 3r d and final T20, played at Pallekelle International Stadium. Scores:
England – 128/9 in 20 Overs (Curran 58, Butler 25, Chameera /24, Pathirana 2/27)
Sri Lanka – 116 in19.3 Overs (Kusal Mendis 26, Nissanka 23, Bethell 4/14, Jacks 3/14)
England won the 3-match series 3-1.
Player of the Match: Sam Curran (England)
Player of the Series: Sam Curran (England)
ICC T20World Cup, 6th Match, Group B, Sri Lanka defeated Ireland, at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Scores:
Sri Lanka – 163/6 in 20 Overs (Kusal Mendis 56, Kumudu Mendis 44, Nissaanka 24, Dobkrell 2/27, McCarthy 2/40)
Ireland – 143 in 19.5 Overs (Tector 40, Adair 34, Theekshana 3/23, Hasaranga 3/25, Pathirana 2/24)
Player of the match: Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)
Points: Sri Lanka 2, Ireland 0.
ICC T20 World Cup, 16th Match, Group B, Sri Lanka beat Oman by 105 runs, at Pallekelle International cricket Stadium, Kandy. Scores:
Sri Lanka – 225/5 in 20 Overs (Kusal Mendis 61, Rathnayake 60, Shanaka 50, Ramandi 2/42, Odedra 1/14)
Oman – 120/9 in 20 Overs (Nedeon 53, Ali 27, Theekshana 2/11, Chameera 2/19, Kamindu Mendis 1/10)
Player of the Match: Pavan Rathnayake (Sri Lanka).
Points: Sri Lanka 2, Oman 0.
ICC T20 World Cup, 30th Match, Group B, Sri Lanka beat Australian by 8 wickets at Pallekelle International Stadium, Kandy. Scores:
Australia – 181 in 20 Overs (Head 56, March 54, Inglis 27, Hemantha 3/37, Chameera 2/36, Kamindu Mendis 1/18)
Sri Lanka – 184/2 in 18.00 Overs ( Nissanka 100no, Kusal Mendia 51, Rathnayake 28no, Stoinus 2/46)
Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka).
Points: Sri Lanka 2, Australia 0.
ICC T20 World Cup, 38th Match, Group B, Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets at the R, Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Scores:
Sri Lanka – 178/7 in 209.3 Overs (Nissanka 62, Rathnayake 44, Perera 22, Cremer 2/27, Evans 2/35, Muzarabini 2/38)
Zimbabwe – 182/4 in 19.3 Overs (Bennett 63, Raza 45, Maruman 34, Hemantha 2/36, Shanaka 1/36)
Player of the match: Sikander Raza (Zimbabwe).
Points: Zimbabwe 2, Sri Lanka 0.
ICC T20 World Cup, Super Eights, Group 2, England beat Sri Lanka by 51 runs at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium, Kandy. Scores:
England – 146/9 in 20 Overs (Salt 62, Jacks 21, Wellalage 3/26, Theekshana 2/21, Madushanka 2/25)
Sri Lanka – 95 in 16.4 Overs (Shanaka 30, Jacks 3/22, Rashid 2/13, Archer 2/20)
Player of the Match: Will Jacks (England)
Points: England 2, Sri Lanka 0.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a white-ball series against Sri Lanka, set to be played in the UAE starting March 13. The series will feature three T20Is beginning on March 13, followed by a three-match ODI series commencing on March 20. The white-ball series features three ODIs and three T20Is and gets underway from March 13. The three T20Is will be played in Sharjah, while the ODIs will take place in Dubai. The last time the two sides met in a bilateral series was in early 2024, when Afghanistan toured Sri Lanka. On that occasion, Sri Lanka won both series, sealing a 3-0 whitewash in the ODIs and claiming the T20I series 2-1. Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Mr. Naseeb Khan expressed his delight at hosting Sri Lanka for the first-ever time “We are delighted to host Sri Lanka for the first time in our history. This event reflects the strength of our collaboration with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, and we are committed to further strengthening our relationship to provide a high-quality cricket experience in the future. Sri Lanka has been playing excellent cricket recently, and we look forward to what promises to be a competitive white-ball series between two quality sides.” “Bilateral cricket is an important element in international cricket, and we are extremely happy to be a part of this historic tour, as this is the first time Sri Lanka is engaging in a bilateral series hosted by Afghanistan.” said Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket This will mark both sides’ first outing following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Afghanistan were knocked out in the group stages, while Sri Lanka are currently competing in the Super 8s. (Daily Mirror, 24.2.2026)
ICC T20 World Cup, Super Eights, Group 2, New Zealand beat Sr Lanka by 61 runs at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Scores:
New Zeland – 168/7 in 20 vears (Santer 47, Ravindra 32, McConchie 31, Theekshana 3/30, Chameera 3/38, Wellalage 1/27)
Sri Lanka 107/8 in 20 Overs (Kamndu Mendis 31, Wellalage 29, Ravndra 4/27, Henry 2/3).
Player of the Match: Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
Points: New Zealand 2, Sri Lanka 0.
