Sri Lanka superstar opener Pathum Nissanka’s sensational century put Australia on the brink of group-stage elimination in the 2026 T20 World Cup on Monday (February 16). The injury-ravaged Australian team
managed to score a par 184/2 in the first innings, but just couldn’t contain Nissanka’s talent, as the 27-year-old smashed his first century in the competition off just 52 balls, laced with 10 fours and five sixes.
With the win, their third consecutive in the home competition, Sri Lanka reached six points and became the fourth side to qualify for the Super Eights round. Australia, on the other hand, were left with two points after three wins, courtesy of a solitary win over Ireland at the start of the tournament.
Zimbabwe, who beat Australia last week, are also at four points and are now the favorites to join Sri Lanka in the next round. They have two games remaining — against Ireland on February 17 and against Sri Lanka on the 19th — and winning either would guarantee them a Super Eights spot.
Have Australia been eliminated?
No, Australia are still alive in the competition, but barely. To qualify, they need Zimbabwe to lose both matches.
In the first, Ireland are competing for a space in the next round themselves so they can give Zimbabwe a good fight. In the second, Sri Lanka are among the most in-form teams in the competition, but they might look to rest some players, having secured the ‘Q’.
If Ireland beat Zimbabwe, then Australia will need to get to four points by defeating Oman on February 20 and do it with a margin big enough to surpass Ireland’s Net Run Rate (currently at +0.150, compared to Australia’s +0.414).
How did Australia lose?
Australia’s form in this competition has been poor. But their concerns could be partially attributed to the host of injury concerns, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood both ruled out, and Mitchell Marsh (who played against Sri Lanka) and Tim David also managing issues.
In this match, fifties from Marsh and Travis Head powered Australia past 100 in the first 10 overs, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers triggered a late collapse, claiming the final four wickets for just six runs to keep them down to 181.
Nissanka then anchored the chase. He shared a decisive 97-run stand with Kusal Mendis, who made 51, as Sri Lanka overhauled the 182-run target comfortably with two overs remaining.
