T20 Crisis: Australia must beat Sri Lanka or face exit

13 February 2026 07:34 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 2 Bookmark

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Feb.13 (Mirror Sports) - Australia’s T20 World Cup hopes hang by a thread after a shocking 23-run loss to Zimbabwe in Colombo - extending their winless streak against the African side in T20 World Cups.

With just two points from two games, the Aussies face a must-win showdown against Sri Lanka on February 16 to keep Super Eights dreams alive.

Group B is tight. Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka lead with perfect records, while Australia must win both remaining matches to have a shot at qualification. A loss to Sri Lanka could leave their fate in the hands of other results — needing Zimbabwe to lose twice and net run-rate swings to go their way.

Remaining Group B fixtures:

Feb 14: Ireland vs Oman
Feb 16: Australia vs Sri Lanka
Feb 17: Ireland vs Zimbabwe
Feb 19: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe
Feb 20: Australia vs Oman

Australia must start with a win against Sri Lanka to stay in contention. Anything less, and the Super Eights could slip away.

Comments - 2

Quintus George Friday, 13 February 2026 09:13 PM

SL will lose to AUS and ZIM and licked out of the tournament

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cricketer Saturday, 14 February 2026 11:45 AM

The Australian selectors should take the blame for leaving out their most experienced senior cricketers and selecting an in-experienced and depleted team for the T20 World Cup. for this predicament. There is no experienced frontline bowling attack of Pat Cummins Starc or Hazlewood nor prolific run scoring machine in Steve Smith in the side seen swinging a golf club recently in frustration I guess. Now Australia has to defeat host country Sri Lanka on the 16th. to play in the Super Eight or forced to have an early exit from the world cup for the first time in history.

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