Sri Lanka hammered Australia by eight wickets in match number 30 of T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday, February 16. With the triumph, the Lankans also confirmed their place in Super 8 from Group B.
Sent into bat by Sri Lanka, Australia put up 181 on the board in their 20 overs. Travis Head top-scored with 56 off 29, while skipper Mitchell Marsh smashed 54 off 27. For Sri Lanka, Dushan Hemantha claimed three wickets and Dushmantha Chameera two. Pathum Nissanka’s 100* off 52 then lifted Sri Lanka to a memorable win as Kusal Mendis (51 off 38) also chipped in.
With their triumph on Monday, Sri Lanka became the fifth team to qualify for the Super 8 round of T20 World Cup 2026. Before them, India, West Indies, England and South Africa had already sealed their spot in the next round. A number of teams are still in contention to grab the remaining three Super 8 slots.
Here’s a group-wise breakdown of what teams in contention need to do to qualify for the next round of T20 World Cup 2026.
Group A (USA, Pakistan)
India have already qualified for the Super 8 stage of T20 World Cup 2026, with six points from three games (net run rate +3.050). Pakistan have slipped to third in the group following their 61-run loss to India. They have four points from three games and a net run rate of -0.403. However, Pakistan will qualify for the Super 8 round of the T20 World Cup if they beat Namibia in their last group match.
On the other hand, if they go down to Namibia, USA and Pakistan will finish the group stage with four points each. In such a scenario, USA will qualify on the basis of a superior net run rate. As things stand, USA have a run rate of +0.787, while Pakistan have a run rate of -0.403. Netherlands will also finish with four points if they stun India. However, with a run rate of -1.352, they are unlikely to qualify.
Group B (Zimbabwe, Australia, Ireland)
As mentioned earlier, Sri Lanka have qualified for the Super 8 round of T20 World Cup 2026 from Group B. Oman have been knocked out of the qualification race, leaving Zimbabwe, Australia and Ireland to battle it out for the second spot.
Zimbabwe have two matches left in the group stage – against Ireland on February 17 and against Sri Lanka on February 19. Zimbabwe are currently on four points and only need to win one of their remaining two matches to qualify for the Super 8 stage of T20 World Cup 2026 and knock Australia out. Another win will take Zimbabwe to six points, while the maximum Australia can reach is four points.
If Zimbabwe lose both of their remaining matches and Australia beat Oman in their last Group B clash of the tournament, then Australia, Zimbabwe and Ireland will all finish with four points. The net run rate will then decide who goes through to the Super 8 stage. Currently, Zimbabwe have a net run rate of +1.984, Australia +0.414 and +0.150.
Group C (West Indies & England have qualified)
West Indies and England have sealed their T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 slots from Group C. The Windies are currently on top of the points table, with six points from three games and a net run rate of +1.820.
England are second, with six points from four games and a net run rate of +0.201. Scotland, Italy and Nepal have been knocked out from Group C.
Group D (New Zealand, Afghanistan)
With the three wins out of three and a net run rate of +1.477, South Africa have qualified for the Super 8 round of T20 World Cup 2026 from Group D. New Zealand, who have four points from three games, will join them in the next round if they beat Canada in their last group match.
If Canada pull off an upset against New Zealand, Afghanistan have an outside chance of going through if they register a massive win over Canada in their last group match. Afghanistan have two points from three games and a net run rate of -0.215, while the Kiwis have a net run rate of +0.701.
Edited by Renin Wilben Albert
