T20 World Cup 2026: Sri Lanka routed Australia in the 30th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and punched their ticket to the Super 8s. That makes them the fifth team to qualify, joining South Africa, West Indies, India, and England. Meanwhile, things look rough for Australia. Two losses in a row have left them hanging by a thread.
Nissanka’s first T20 World Cup century
Australia batted first and put up 181 runs in their 20 overs, losing all 10 wickets. But Sri Lanka chased it down in style in just 18 overs, losing only two wickets. The star of the show was Pathum Nissanka. He smashed the first century of this year’s T20 World Cup, finishing unbeaten on 100 from 52 balls, with 10 boundaries and five sixes.
The match took place in Pallekele. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl. Australia started strong. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head powered past 100 runs in just the ninth over, but Head fell soon after for 56 off 29 (seven fours, three sixes).
Dushan Hemantha picks up three
After Head got out, Cameron Green lasted only three runs, and then Marsh followed after scoring 54 from 27 balls, with eight fours and two sixes. Inglis and Maxwell tried to stabilize things, but the rest of the batting lineup just didn’t fire as seven Aussie batters never even reached double digits. Australia, after such a good start, were bowled out for 181. Dushan Hemantha led Sri Lanka’s bowling with three wickets. Dushmantha Chameera grabbed two. Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, and Kamindu Mendis each chipped in with one.
Sri Lanka had a shaky start chasing 182, losing Kusal Perera for just one. But then Nissanka teamed up with Kusal Mendis and together they set the platform for the win. Mendis made 51 from 38 before getting out, but he’d done the hard work. From there, Nissanka and Pawan Ratnayake finished things off. Nissanka ended up unbeaten on his century, and Ratnayake scored a quick 28 from 15 as Sri Lanka cruised to victory.
Australia Playing XI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim David, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
Brief Score:
Australia- 181/10 in 20 overs (Travis Head 56; Dushan Hemantha 3/37)
Sri Lanka– 184/2 in 18 overs (Pathum Nissanka 100*; Marcus Stoinis 2/46)
Sri Lanka won by eight wickets
