Sri Lanka qualified for the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after registering a dominant eight-wicket win over Australia at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy, pushing the former champions to the verge of an early exit from the tournament.
Chasing 182, Sri Lanka rode on a magnificent unbeaten century from Pathum Nissanka to record their highest successful T20I chase at home. The win sealed Sri Lanka’s progression from Group B, while Australia’s qualification hopes now hang by a thread.
Marsh and Head fire before Australia collapse
Australia were put in to bat and began aggressively through captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, who launched a fierce assault during the powerplay. The pair raced to 70 without loss in six overs and brought up a 104-run opening stand at more than two runs per ball.
Head smashed a 27-ball fifty while Marsh struck 54 off 27 deliveries on his return to the side. At 104 without loss, Australia looked set for a total well beyond 200.
However, Head’s dismissal changed the momentum. Wickets fell in quick succession as Cameron Green, Marsh, and Tim David departed in a span of just 26 runs. The middle order failed to rebuild and Australia lost their final wickets cheaply, collapsing to 181 all out. Dushan Hemantha led Sri Lanka’s bowling effort with three wickets as the hosts pulled the game back brilliantly.
Nissanka masterclass seals historic chase
Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera early in the chase, but Nissanka and Kusal Mendis quickly counterattacked. The pair added 97 runs and kept the required rate under control, both reaching their half-centuries by the 12th over.
Mendis was dismissed soon after his fifty, but Nissanka continued to dominate the Australian bowlers. He struck boundaries all around the ground and brought up his second T20I century off just 52 balls.
With support from Pavan Rathnayake, Sri Lanka chased down the target in 18 overs, completing a record run chase at home and confirming their place in the Super 8 stage.
Australia must now win their final group match and depend on other results to keep their tournament hopes alive.
