Is England's Upcoming Tour to Sri Lanka Key for Their T20 World Cup Preparation?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- England will tour Sri Lanka for a series in January-February 2026.
- The series includes three ODIs and three T20Is.
- Harry Brook will lead the England team.
- This tour is vital for preparations for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
- England's last visit to Sri Lanka was in 2018.
London, Aug 20 (NationPress) England is set to visit Sri Lanka for a series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is in January-February 2026, forming a crucial part of their preparations for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.
The team, captained by Harry Brook, will kick off the tour with a three-match ODI series scheduled from January 22 to 27, followed by three T20Is from January 30 to February 3. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will soon provide details regarding the venues for these matches.
This tour will offer England essential experience in subcontinental conditions as they aim for their third Men’s T20 World Cup title, having previously triumphed in 2010 and 2022.
Additionally, this marks England's first white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in over seven years, with their last visit in 2018 resulting in a 3-1 ODI series victory along with a win in a one-off T20I. The last T20I encounter between the two teams was during the 2022 World Cup, where England secured a four-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the group stage on their path to clinching the title at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Sri Lanka's upcoming T20I assignment includes a three-match series in Zimbabwe, while England will host South Africa for a similar number of matches beginning September 10 in Cardiff.
England Men tour of Sri Lanka
1st ODI: England Men vs Sri Lanka Men, January 22, 2026
2nd ODI: England Men vs Sri Lanka Men, January 24, 2026
3rd ODI: England Men vs Sri Lanka Men, January 27, 2026
1st T20I: England Men vs Sri Lanka Men, January 30, 2026
2nd T20I: England Men vs Sri Lanka Men, February 1, 2026
3rd T20I: England Men vs Sri Lanka Men, February 3, 2026