T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka Beat Australia to Progress to Super Eights

PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over Australia on Monday to book their place in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Chasing a target of 182, the hosts reached the target for the loss of just two wickets with 12 balls to spare, thanks to a match-winning 97-run partnership for the second wicket.

Left-handed opener Kusal Perera fell early, dismissed for just one by Marcus Stoinis in the second over. However, Danushka Mendis and Pathum Nissanka steadied the innings, compiling a rapid 97-run stand that turned the game in Sri Lanka’s favor. Mendis contributed a vital 51 off 38 balls, hitting six sixes and a four, before Stoinis finally broke the partnership in the 13th over.

Nissanka carried the momentum, finishing unbeaten on 100 off 52 deliveries, including 10 fours and five sixes, guiding Sri Lanka past the finish line in the 18th over. This victory marked Sri Lanka’s third consecutive win, cementing their spot in the Super Eights.

He was supported by middle-order Pavan Rathnayake, who made 28 not out from 15 balls with the help of six fours.

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Stoinis, who returned expensive bowling figures of 2/46 in his four overs, remained the solitary wicket-taker for Australia.

Put into bat first, Australia registered a formidable total of 181 all out in 20 overs, courtesy of half-centuries from their opening pair of Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh.

Marsh and Head gave Australia a blazing start by putting together 104 runs inside nine overs, with both scoring half-centuries, but their middle order failed to relay the momentum, and the 2021 champions had to settle for below 200.

Head remained the top-scorer for Australia with a 29-ball 56, followed by Marsh, who made 54 off 27 deliveries, while Josh Inglis (27) and Glenn Maxwell (22) were the other two to amass double figures.

Dushan Hemantha spearheaded Sri Lanka’s bowling charge with three wickets for 37 runs in his four overs, followed by Dushmantha Chameera with two, while Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis chipped in with one scalp apiece.