Overview
- Sri Lanka posted 271-6 after choosing to bat, led by Kusal Mendis' unbeaten 93, before England were bowled out for 252.
- England were well placed at 129-1 after a 117-run stand between Ben Duckett (62) and Joe Root (61) but lost 5-35 to derail the chase.
- Pramod Madushan took 3-39, with Dunith Wellalage and Jeffrey Vandersay claiming two wickets each as Sri Lanka's spinners controlled the middle overs.
- England made a late change with Will Jacks ruled out by illness and Rehan Ahmed drafted in, with no specialist pace bowler selected in the XI.
- Wanindu Hasaranga was rested to manage workload before the T20 World Cup, as Sri Lanka moved ahead in the three-match series with the next ODI on January 24.