Sri Lanka faced England in the first one-day international on January 22, 2026, in Colombo, marking a new chapter for both teams following their prior engagements. Sri Lanka, after winning the toss, opted to bat first, setting a challenging target of 272 runs, anchored by Kusal Mendis's unbeaten score of 93 runs. The England team, transitioning from a recent disappointing Ashes series, experienced a rocky chase, initially appearing strong with partnerships between Ben Duckett and Joe Root. However, they ultimately faltered, yielding to Sri Lanka's robust bowling attack and collapsing from a promising 129 for one to 252 all out. England's defeat continues a troubling trend, as they are struggling to find form in the 50-over format, which raises concerns about their World Cup qualification prospects. The defeat marks another setback for captain Harry Brook's side as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which further compounds the pressure on England's players and management. Despite the loss, Brook remains hopeful and recognizes the importance of learning from this experience while preparing for the next ODI match in the series.