Sri Lanka vs Australia T20 World Cup 2026 Match 30 – Nissanka Century Stuns Aussies
By Crick tv
Updated: Feb 17, 2026 10:53 AM
Match: Sri Lanka vs Australia – Match 30
Tournament: ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Result: Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets
Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka (100* off 52)
If you missed the 30th Match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, you missed an absolute blockbuster. The atmosphere at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was nothing short of electric as co-hosts Sri Lanka clashed with the mighty Australians in a high-stakes Group B showdown.
Spoiler alert: The Lions absolutely devoured the Kangaroos.
Sri Lanka chased down a massive 182-run target with 8 wickets in hand and a comfortable 2 overs to spare. But the real story isn't just about Sri Lanka's glorious win—it’s about the massive shockwave this result sends through the Australian camp. Let’s break down the madness, the masterclass, and the messy math Australia now faces.
💥 First Innings: The Aussie Blitz Meets the Lankan Fightback
Australia walked in knowing this was a do-or-die scenario after their previous shock defeat to Zimbabwe. For the first half of their innings, it looked like they meant business.
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The Head-Marsh Show: Travis Head (56) and Captain Mitchell Marsh (54) went absolutely ballistic in the powerplay, stitching together a blistering 104-run opening partnership.
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The Squeeze: Just when Australia looked poised to cross the 200-mark, the Sri Lankan spinners hit the brakes. Dushan Hemantha bowled a spell-binding spell, picking up 3 crucial wickets for just 24 runs.
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The Finish: A late-innings collapse meant Australia had to settle for 181/7. A solid total on a gripping pitch, but was it enough?
👑 The Chase: Pathum Nissanka’s Masterclass
Chasing 182 under pressure is no joke, but Pathum Nissanka turned it into a highlight reel.
Nissanka smashed a jaw-dropping, unbeaten century off just 52 balls, completely dismantling the Australian bowling attack. Supported brilliantly by Kusal Mendis, who notched up a rapid 51, the duo put up a 97-run stand that effectively shut the door on any Aussie comeback.
Australia's bowlers—usually their biggest weapon—looked completely out of answers as Nissanka painted Kandy his way.
📉 The Aftermath: What Does This Mean for Australia?
This is where the blog gets brutal. Australia is officially hanging by a thread. Here is the reality check for the 2021 Champions:
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Out of Their Hands: Australia no longer controls their own destiny. With two losses (to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka) and only two points on the board, winning their final game against Oman won't be enough on its own.
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Praying for a Miracle: For Australia to squeeze into the Super 8s, they need Zimbabwe to spectacularly collapse and lose both of their remaining matches (against Ireland and Sri Lanka).
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The NRR Trap: Even if the stars align and Zimbabwe loses out, Australia will still need to absolutely crush Oman to ensure their Net Run Rate (NRR) bails them out of a three-way tie.
In professional terms: Australia’s campaign is on life support. In casual terms: They need to buy a lottery ticket and hope for the best.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka: The Unstoppable Force
While the Aussies calculate NRR scenarios on their calculators, Sri Lanka is busy booking their flights for the next round. This win guarantees Sri Lanka a spot in the Super 8s. They are undefeated, playing in front of a passionate home crowd, and looking like genuine title contenders.
The Bottom Line: T20 World Cups are notorious for their unpredictability, and Group B is delivering pure box-office drama. Sri Lanka is flying high, while the cricketing heavyweights from Down Under are staring down the barrel of an embarrassingly early exit.
First Innings: Head and Marsh Dominate
Sri Lanka’s Spin Comeback
Pathum Nissanka’s Match-Winning Century
Updated Group B Points Table
Can Australia Still Qualify?
What This Win Means for Sri Lanka
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Australia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Ireland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Oman | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
FAQ
Who scored a century in Sri Lanka vs Australia Match 30?
Pathum Nissanka scored 100* off 52 balls.
Can Australia qualify for Super 8?
Yes, but they depend on other results and Net Run Rate.
Where was the match played?
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka.
FAQ se featured snippet mil sakta hai.