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Australia vs Sri Lanka 2026 T20 World Cup Tips - Sri Lanka send Australia packing

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Fri 13 Feb 2026 11:43

Jeremy Darke 13 Feb 2026

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Australia vs Sri Lanka predictions
First ball between Australia vs Sri Lanka is at 12:30 AEDT, Tuesday, February 17th
Australia's cricket woes continue after multiple defeats.
Key Sri Lankan performances come from Shanaka, Mendis, and Theekshana.

Expired

Australia vs Sri Lanka Betting Tips. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Australia vs Sri Lanka 2026 T20 World Cup Tips

Australia’s hopes of a Super Eight qualification will diminish as the home side Sri Lanka seal their progression, winning as the hefty underdog.

Australia vs Sri Lanka 2026 T20 World Cup Tips
Head to Head Record
Australia Form
Australia Squad
Sri Lanka Form
Sri Lanka Squad
Australia vs Sri Lanka Frequently Asked Questions

Sri Lanka and Australia meet in a high-stakes T20 World Cup clash with momentum and pressure heading in opposite directions.

Sri Lanka arrive brimming with confidence after their dominant 105-run demolition of Oman, where their explosive middle order and disciplined bowling attack clicked perfectly. Dasun Shanaka’s record-breaking half-century, strong support from Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake, and Maheesh Theekshana’s control with the ball underline a well-balanced unit.

Australia, meanwhile, are searching for answers. After looking uncomfortable against Ireland, they were convincingly beaten by Zimbabwe, losing four wickets in the powerplay and struggling for rhythm with both bat and ball. Their decision-making and top-order stability will be under scrutiny against a confident Sri Lankan attack.

With Super Eight qualification on the line, expect intensity from ball one. Sri Lanka appear the more settled side, while Australia must lift significantly to stay alive in the tournament.

Australia have lost 3 of their last 4 T20I matches at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium against Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka scored 255 runs last time they played at PICS
Kusal Mendis has 117 runs with one not out in the T20 World Cup
Maheesh Theekshana has 5 wickets in 2 matches.

Head to Head Record

Australia: 16

Sri Lanka: 10

Australia won the latest series 2-1. Sri Lanka’s victory came at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Australia Form

Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign is already under pressure after a 23-run defeat to Zimbabwe in Colombo, a performance that exposed worrying form issues. Having looked uncomfortable in their opening match against Ireland, Australia again appeared off the pace and were outplayed in all facets.

Opting to bowl first, Australia struggled to make inroads, claiming just two wickets as Zimbabwe posted 169 for 2. The bowlers failed to control the middle overs, and the decision to field on a fresh daytime pitch will come under scrutiny. In reply, the batting faltered early, losing four wickets in the powerplay. Matt Renshaw’s 65 off 44 offered resistance, but there was little sustained support as Australia were bowled out for 146.

With back-to-back underwhelming displays, Australia now face must-win games against Sri Lanka and Oman to keep their Super Eight hopes alive.

Full Australian T20 World Cup Schedule

Australia Squad

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Sri Lanka Form

Sri Lanka delivered a commanding all-round performance to thrash Oman by 105 runs in Pallekele, underlining their strong form in the T20 World Cup after beating Ireland in their opening match.

Powered by a dominant middle order, Sri Lanka piled up 225 for 5, the highest total of this tournament so far. Kusal Mendis set the tone with a fluent 61, before Pavan Rathnayake smashed 60 off 28 balls to shift the momentum decisively. Dasun Shanaka then produced a breathtaking late assault, hammering a 19-ball half-century, the fastest ever by a Sri Lankan in T20Is, as the hosts plundered 79 runs in the final five overs.

With the ball, Sri Lanka were equally clinical. Dushmantha Chameera struck early, while Maheesh Theekshana stepped up in Wanindu Hasaranga’s absence, conceding just 11 runs in four overs and taking two key wickets.

Sri Lanka Squad

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga

Australia vs Sri Lanka Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Australia vs Sri Lanka start?

First ball between Australia vs Sri Lanka is at 12:30 AEDT, Tuesday, February 17th

What channel is Australia vs Sri Lanka on?

You can watch Australia vs Sri Lanka on Amazon Prime

Verdict

Australia v Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will get the win at great value with Kusal Mendis scoring over 21.5 runs and Maheesh Theekshana claiming two wickets.

Sri Lanka

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