Sri Lanka Stun Australia with Record Chase to Seal Super 8 Spot
Kandy, Sri Lanka — February 16, 2026
In one of the most dramatic matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lanka secured a stunning eight-wicket victory over Australia at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday night, booking their qualification into the Super 8 stage of the tournament while leaving the 2021 champions facing a precarious road to the next round.
Australia Post Competitive Total
Australia, under pressure to keep their Super 8 hopes alive after a shock loss to Zimbabwe earlier in the group stage, won the toss and elected to bat. The opening duo of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head laid a fierce foundation. Marsh finished with 54 off 27 deliveries while Head struck 56 off 29, combining for a formidable 104-run opening stand that looked to set Australia up for a big total.
Despite the strong start, Sri Lanka fought back superbly with their bowling unit — leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha taking key wickets to break the partnership and trigger a collapse. Australia were eventually dismissed for 181 runs in 20 overs, a competitive but chaseable total given the conditions and batting lineup of the hosts.
Nissanka’s Historic Century Anchors Chase
Chasing 182, Sri Lanka got off to a flying start with opener Pathum Nissanka exhibiting a masterclass of power and timing. Nissanka raced to a magnificent unbeaten 100 off just 52 balls, the first century of the 2026 T20 World Cup, laced with 10 fours and five towering sixes. His innings was supported by Kusal Mendis, who contributed a solid 51, helping the co-hosts build an unbroken 97-run partnership for the second wicket.
Sri Lanka completed the chase in 18 overs, finishing on 184/2, with Pavan Rathnayake guiding the team over the line. The historic knock by Nissanka will be remembered as one of the defining batting performances of this World Cup, showcasing skill, temperament and remarkable striking ability under pressure.
Super 8 Qualification and Tournament Implications
With this emphatic victory — their third consecutive win in Group B — Sri Lanka officially secured their spot in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup, much to the delight of the home fans. The triumph maintains their unbeaten run in the tournament and provides momentum heading into the next phase.
Australia now find themselves on the brink of elimination. The defeat saw their qualification chances slim dramatically, with progression now dependent on other results and net run-rate calculations. A loss for Zimbabwe in their upcoming matches would keep Australia’s hopes alive, but the once-formidable side now faces a nervy wait to see if they can still make the Super 8s.
Reactions and Road Ahead
Sri Lankan fans erupted in celebration as Nissanka brought up his century, a signature moment not just for the match but for Sri Lanka’s campaign. Australia’s camp, on the other hand, acknowledged their disappointment — with captain Mitchell Marsh reflecting on a performance that started brightly but ultimately fell short of the mark needed to survive in this ultra-competitive group.
Looking ahead, Sri Lanka will carry strong confidence into the Super 8s, where they will face stiff competition from the tournament’s best teams. Australia must regroup quickly and hope for favorable outcomes in other fixtures if they are to extend their T20 World Cup journey.
