No room for comfort as Sri Lanka’s real test begins
If Sri Lanka are sitting pretty, relaxed and convinced that their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign is firmly on track, they are mistaken. It is time for the 2014 champions to gear up, brush their boots and get serious. A single mistake or momentary brain fade could yet prove costly, despite Sri Lanka becoming one of only four teams to cross the 200-run mark, 225 runs to be precise, the second-highest total of the tournament so far.
Sri Lanka also enjoy the best net run rate among all 20 teams after two games, with a commanding 3.125 to lead Group ‘B’. India, the Group ‘A’ leaders, follow with 3.050 after two outings. The rest of the field barely touches the two-point mark or languishes with negative figures.
Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake lit up Pallekele -AFP
However, these numbers and standings do not guarantee Sri Lanka a cakewalk into the Super Eights. Yes, they have beaten group rivals Ireland and Oman, but under very different circumstances. What lies ahead are the heavyweights of the group, Australia, who have yet to look like their usual selves, and Zimbabwe, unbeaten with two wins from two and playing with a confidence that could virtually seal a place in the next round if maintained.
Before February 7, Australia and Sri Lanka were widely expected to outgun the rest of Group ‘B’, which also includes Zimbabwe, Ireland and Oman. By February 13, Zimbabwe had turned the tables by beating Australia by 23 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium, creating a major spoiler that could yet prove decisive for Sri Lanka as well.
With all teams having completed two matches, Sri Lanka sit top of Group ‘B’, narrowly ahead of Zimbabwe. Both have won two out of two and share four points, separated only by net run rate, Sri Lanka on 3.125 and Zimbabwe on 1.984. Australia, with one win and one loss, are third on two points with an NRR of 1.100. Ireland and Oman complete the table and are effectively out of contention.
Oman played Ireland yesterday and will bow out after their final match against Australia. Ireland face Zimbabwe in their last group game, with the Chevrons in ominous form. Fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has claimed the Player of the Match award in both Zimbabwe victories. Australia, who looked uncharacteristically shaky, particularly with the bat, must now play Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, before meeting Oman to complete their fixtures. That Pallekele clash could define Australia’s fate and Sri Lanka’s, especially with a different, battle-hardened Zimbabwe side still to come.
“It’s strange to see them behave like that against Zimbabwe,” an Australian supporter said at the R. Premadasa Stadium after Friday’s defeat. “They looked uncomfortable, especially while batting. Australia never give up. They will come back strong against Sri Lanka, probably with at least two changes.”
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, sit second with an unblemished record after wins over Oman and Australia, and two matches remaining, against Ireland on Tuesday and Sri Lanka on Thursday. By then, the Chevrons will have clarity on their destiny, particularly after the outcome of the crucial Australia versus Sri Lanka encounter.
“It’s a great start to win two out of two,” said Brian Bennett, who struck an unbeaten 64 off 56 balls against Australia. “We’ve got two more games left in the pool matches, and we just need to go back to the drawing board and not get too far ahead of ourselves.”
As for Sri Lanka, a side long regarded as capable of unsettling any opponent on the world stage, the old sparkle may not shine as brightly. Yet they have been lifted by the resurgence of Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis, while 23-year-old Pavan Rathnayake gathered momentum with a blistering 28-ball 60 against Oman at Pallekele. Their bowling has been disciplined too, even after the exit of Wanindu Hasaranga, replaced by bowling all-rounder Dushan Hemantha.
Should Sri Lanka win both remaining matches, against Australia and Zimbabwe, their passage to the Super Eights will be assured, leaving Australia and Zimbabwe to battle for the final slot. Australia, stung by defeat, have the pedigree to correct their errors, while Zimbabwe appear perfectly poised to complete the group stage unbeaten.
Of the three contenders, Australia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, the team that best executes its plans on the day will advance. So far in Group ‘B’, Zimbabwe have ticked every box, commitment, precision and execution. Sri Lanka may be labelled favourites on paper, but that tag guarantees nothing. Australia, though navigating turbulent waters, retain the ability to rebound. The real pressure now rests on Sri Lanka, who are two wins away from securing a place among the last eight of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.