The SL vs AUS match in Group B at the T20 World Cup 2026 was full of drama as Australia, despite a flying start, was bowled out for 181 in 20 overs.
Sri Lanka on the other chased down the mighty target against the Aussies in 18 overs (at the loss of mere 2 wickets), which also became their highest chase in T20 World Cup history. Pathum Nissanka became the first ever batsman to score a century against Australia in T20 World Cup history and 2nd Sri Lankan to score a ton in T20 World Cup.
Strong Start for Australia in SL vs AUS
Australia’s innings began very well in this key match for both teams (Sri Lanka & Australia). Australia got off to a fantastic start, with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head putting together an incredible opening partnership of 70 runs (without loss) in the first six overs.
The aggressive batting style displayed by both openers put Sri Lanka under immediate pressure and gave the appearance that Australia were on the way to scoring in excess of 400 runs.
Marsh and Head Build 104-Run Partnership
The Australian openers made a fantastic 104-run partnership in just 8.3 overs. Travis Head smashed 56 runs off 29 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes. Mitchell Marsh, who was leading from the front, scored 54 runs off 27 balls with a strike rate of 200.
Their aggressive performance set a solid foundation for the SL vs AUS match and put Australia on course to score a total well above 200. But Sri Lanka immediately reacted to Head’s fall and changed the momentum.
Middle-Order Struggles Shift Momentum in SL vs AUS
As soon as the opening duo was sent back, the Australian innings started to lose steam. Josh Inglis scored 27, and Glenn Maxwell scored 22, but none of them could translate their start into a game-changing innings. The big hitters, including Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, and Cameron Green, could not make much of an impact.
Australia was looking to finish the innings strongly, as they were at 151/2 in 15 overs. However, the Sri Lankan bowlers started to tighten their grip, which led to a collapse that left the batting lineup stunned.
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Dramatic Collapse in the Death Overs
In the last five overs of the match, Australia lost 6 wickets and managed to score 30 runs against Sri Lanka. As a result, Australia were bowled out for 181 runs at the end of the 20 overs. The full extent of the win was only made possible due to Sri Lanka’s ability to carry out their bowling plan exactly as intended.
Sri Lankan Bowlers Lead the Comeback
While playing vs Australia, Sri Lankan bowlers did an admirable job under pressure. Dushmantha Hemantha was man of the match for taking 3 very important wickets, and Dushmantha Chameera bowled a fantastic last over taking 2 wickets while only allowing 4 runs.
Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis were also key contributors towards the overall team success in preventing Australia from capitalising on strong starts they had.
Sri Lanka’s defeat of Australia by 8 wickets, with Pathum Nissanka scoring a century, has assured their place in the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2026.
The T20 World Cup 2026 match between SL vs AUS was a thrilling match that proved to be one-sided after Sri Lanka chased down a target of 182 like it was nothing. Even though Australia scored 181 in the first innings, Sri Lanka’s openers made the run chase look simple and ensured qualification for the Super 8.
Quick Start for Sri Lanka in Powerplay
Sri Lanka started their run chase as they were able to manage the required run rate from the very first ball in powerplay.
SL 61/1 (6 overs) – Need 121 off 84 balls
13 runs were scored in the final over of the powerplay
Pathum Nissanka scored 38 from just 20 balls
Nissanka was playing fearless cricket, including a reverse-sweep six off a delivery from Cooper Connolly. The intent to go for the runs immediately put pressure on Australia in this important SL vs AUS match.
Kusal Mendis Joins the Party
Kusal Mendis made sure that the momentum never wavered. He smashed a massive six off Nathan Ellis over square leg and found boundaries consistently against the Australian bowlers.
At one stage:
SL 104/1 (11.5 overs)
Both Mendis and Nissanka brought up their half-centuries
Mendis scored his third consecutive fifty in the tournament, making him only the second Sri Lankan to do so in a T20 World Cup.
Stoinis Provides Brief Hope for Australia
Marcus Stoinis brought some hope for Australia with the dismissal of Mendis for 56 at 105/2.
However, this did not have any effect on the momentum of the SL vs AUS contest.
SL 121/2 (14 overs) – Require 61 off 36
SL 141/2 (15 overs) – Require 41 off 30
As Nissanka continued to dominate Australia with his batting, the support from Pavan Rathnayake was helping to score runs rapidly for Sri Lanka.
Nissanka’s Amazing Ton Defines The Match
The century scored by Pathum Nissanka was the major factor to the outcome of this match for Sri Lanka against Australia.
He is the first centurian of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, achieving his hundred in only 52 balls. His knock consisted of:
10 fours
5 sixes
100* off 52 balls
Nissanka smashed Ellis for back-to-back sixes in the death overs, reducing the equation quickly.
SL 169/2 (17 overs) – Required 13 off 18
Just after achieving his century, Rathnayake hit the winning boundary.
SL vs AUS Final Scorecard
Australia: 181 all out (20 overs)
Sri Lanka: 184/2 (18 overs)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets
Sri Lanka easily chased down the target with 12 balls to spare, securing their position in the Super 8s.
Player of the Match – Pathum Nissanka
Pathum Nissanka was rightly awarded the Player of the Match award for his match-winning performance. He was the 2nd Sri Lankan centurion in T20 World Cup and only batter to score a century against Australia.
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