Charith Asalanka will lead a 17-man Sri Lankan squad into their upcoming T20I showdown against Bangladesh, kicking off a three-match series that holds major significance in the lead-up to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup — a tournament Sri Lanka is set to co-host with India.
Both sides head into the T20 leg after an entertaining ODI series that saw plenty of twists and standout performances. Sri Lanka drew first blood in the opening match, cruising to a 77-run win on the back of a masterful century from skipper Asalanka and a clinical four-wicket haul from Wanindu Hasaranga.
Bangladesh, however, hit back with grit in the second ODI, edging the visitors by 16 runs. Left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam stole the spotlight with a five-wicket haul, putting the brakes on Sri Lanka’s chase and leveling the series.
But it was Sri Lanka who had the last word. In the deciding clash at Pallekele on July 8, Kusal Mendis lit up the innings with a sparkling 124 off 114 balls, while the Lankan seamers shared the spoils with three wickets each. The result? A thumping 99-run win to seal the series 2-1.
Now, with momentum on their side, the Lankan Lions shift focus to the T20 format, eyeing another dominant display as they fine-tune for global cricket’s biggest stage.
Ahead of the 1st T20 match at Pallekele Cricket Stadium between the two sides, The Sporting News takes a look at the pitch report and previous records at this venue.
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How many T20 matches has Pallekele International Cricket Stadium hosted?
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has seen 26 T20 clashes so far, with a slight edge going to teams setting the target—15 victories for sides batting first. Chasing teams haven’t been far behind, claiming 10 wins.
One match, however, failed to produce a result, either due to weather interruptions or unplayable conditions. The numbers suggest a fairly balanced pitch, but with a subtle lean toward defending totals.
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How many spectators can Pallekele International Cricket Stadium hold?
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has a seating capacity of about 35,000 spectators.
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium: T20 Pitch Report
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is known for its competitive scores, with the ball coming nicely onto the bat.
The pitch is generally flat, but fast bowlers can find some assistance under lights. Spinners are not expected to have an outright advantage with the pitch slowing down, as teams chasing have recently found it relatively easy to chase down scores in the second innings.
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium: Average scores and toss results in T20Is
| Average first innings score in Pallekele | 171.5 |
| Average second innings score in Pallekele | 142 |
| Matches won after batting first | 14 |
| Matches won by chasing team | 10 |
What happened in the previous T20I at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium?
The previous T20I at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was played on July 30, 2024, between Sri Lanka and India.
In a dramatic contest, both teams finished with identical scores, Sri Lanka 137/8 and India 137/9 after 20 overs, resulting in a tie.
The match was decided by a Super Over, where India comfortably chased down Sri Lanka’s total of two runs to win the game and complete a 3-0 series sweep.
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What is the highest score by a team at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in T20I?
Australia holds the record for the highest T20I total at Pallekele, hammering 263/3 against Sri Lanka on September 6, 2016.
That explosive innings, fueled by a jaw-dropping 145* off just 65 deliveries from Glenn Maxwell, set a then-world record for the highest team score in T20 internationals. The Aussies ultimately won by 78 runs as the Lankans could only muster 178/9 in 20 overs.
It was a batting masterclass that lit up the stadium and rewrote the record books.
What is the lowest score by a team at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in T20I?
The lowest team score in a T20 International at Pallekele is 88 all out by New Zealand against Sri Lanka in 2019. SL won that game comfortably by 37 runs, having made 125/8 in the first innings.
What is the highest individual score at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in T20I?
Glenn Maxwell holds the record for the highest individual score in a T20I at Pallekele, blasting an unbeaten 145 off just 65 balls against Sri Lanka on September 6, 2016.
His whirlwind knock, laced with 14 boundaries and 9 towering sixes, not only shattered the venue record but also stood as the highest T20I score in the world at the time.
What is the best bowling figure at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in T20I?
On the bowling front, Ajantha Mendis etched his name into the record books with a phenomenal 6/16 against Australia back in 2011.
His magical spell dismantled the Aussie batting order and played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s narrow 8-run win, a performance still regarded as one of the finest in T20I history.
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Which batter has the most runs at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in T20I?
Tillakaratne Dilshan stands tall as the top run-scorer in T20Is at Pallekele, amassing 334 runs across 10 appearances with an impressive average of 47.71.
Which bowler has the most wickets at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in T20I?
On the bowling charts, it's none other than Lasith Malinga who leads the pack at this venue. The slingy pacer claimed 18 scalps in T20Is here between 2012 and 2020, cementing his legacy as a menace with the ball on home turf.
Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh, 1st T20I: Betting odds
According to Dafabet, Sri Lanka are the favorites to win the 1st T20I match against Bangladesh.
| Team | Betting odds |
| Sri Lanka | 1.35 |
| Bangladesh | 3.21 |