Last Updated on 5 hours ago by Charbel Coorey

Australia will take on Sri Lanka in the 30th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele, will host this game on 16th February 2026 at 7 PM IST. 

Australia is coming off a 23-run defeat against Zimbabwe in their last game. They now sit in a precarious position as they will most probably be out of the Super 8 race if they lose in Kandy. They need consistency from players like Josh Inglis, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis with the bat. 

However, the bowlers have also disappointed, as no one except for Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa has performed consistently. Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis, and Matthew Kuhnemann must take responsibility.

Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, and Marcus Stoinis form a strong batting core, with Nathan Ellis leading the bowling. Adam Zampa will be the lead spinner. The Aussies are looking pretty good on paper, but it’ll be interesting to see how their bowlers go here.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka won their last game against Oman by a huge margin of 105 runs. Their batters are looking in good touch; especially contributions from Dasun Shanaka and Kamindu Mendis will be a big boost for them.

Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are their key batters at the top, while Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dushmantha Chameera have been in good rhythm in bowling.

They’ll look to continue on their winning momentum and register their third consecutive win of the tournament.

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 30th Match: AUS vs SL Probable Playing XIs

Captain Mitchell Marsh has reportedly trained well and could return in this match. If he plays, Australia faces a selection dilemma: drop the performing Matt Renshaw or drop one of the struggling Cam Green or Glenn Maxwell?

Also, Steve Smith has been officially added in the Australia squa and could play in this game.

Australia: 1. Mitchell Marsh/Steve Smith, 2. Travis Head, 3. Josh Inglis (wk), 4. Tim David, 5. Matthew Renshaw, 6. Glenn Maxwell/Cameron Green, 7. Marcus Stoinis, 8. Ben Dwarshuis/Matthew Kuhnemann, 9. Xavier Bartlett, 10. Nathan Ellis, 11. Adam Zampa

Sri Lanka: 1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Kamil Mishara/Kusal Perera, 3. Kusal Mendis (wk), 4. Pavan Rathnayake, 5. Dasun Shanaka (c), 6. Kamindu Mendis, 7. Dushan Hemantha, 8. Dunith Wellalage, 9. Dushmantha Chameera, 10. Maheesh Theekshana, 11. Matheesha Pathirana

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

The only game played at Pallekele saw Sri Lanka score 225 runs against Oman. A good batting wicket is expected for this game too, with some assistance for the spinners. The new ball will move under the lights, so the openers will have to be on their toes. Scores in the range of 160-180 are expected. Teams may prefer chasing, but batting first will be a good option too.

Overall in men’s T20Is in Pallekele, the average per wicket (25.26) and run rate (8.33) are the strongest of any ground in Sri Lanka.

The weather will be mostly cloudy, with the temperature being around 19 degrees Celsius with 92% humidity at the start of the match.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for AUS vs SL: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicketkeeper Picks:  

• Josh Inglis has looked in good touch in the first two games but has failed to get going. His strike rate is 214 for 45 runs in two matches. Inglis is a good player of spin bowling.
• Kusal Mendis is the best batter for Sri Lanka. He is the highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka with 117 runs in two games at an average of 117 including two fifties. Mendis will be an ideal C/VC option. 

Key batter picks: 

• Mitchell Marsh is likely to play this game. He will be a must if he plays, as he’ll look to attack from the word go, and the conditions should suit his style of batting. Since the start of 2025, Marsh has scored 1,460 runs in all T20s at an average of 36.5 and strike rate of 152.1.
• Travis Head has 23 runs in two games so far, albeit he has been dismissed in unlucky fashion. He’s been far from his best but he is among the best in the world and is known to deliver in important games.
• Pathum Nissanka has scores of 23, 34, 23, 24 and 13 in his past five T20Is. He can go big on a good batting pitch against a misfiring Australian attack.

Top all-rounder picks: 

• Dasun Shanaka scored a terrific fifty in the last match. He’s a key batter for Sri Lanka in the middle order, and he can fetch points from bowling as well. Shanaka will be an ideal fantasy pick. 
• Marcus Stoinis has 51 runs and one wicket to his name in two matches so far. He’s been a utility player for the Aussies, performing with both bat and ball. Stoinis has looked in good touch with the bat and can score big in this game. 

Key bowler picks: 

• Adam Zampa has four wickets in two games at an economy of 6.75 in this World Cup. Also, in 12 T20Is against Sri Lanka, Zampa has taken 21 wickets at an average of 13 and economy of 5.69.
• Nathan Ellis too has four wickets in two matches and an economy of 5.87 and a strike rate of 11.70. Ellis will be a differential C/VC choice, especially if Sri Lanka bats first. 
• Maheesh Theekshana has five wickets in two games at a strike rate of 9.60 at an economy of 4.25. He can trouble Australia’s struggling middle order. Theekshana will be a good fantasy pick.

Other Players to Consider for Your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Cameron Green will likely bat in the top four if selected. He has been very aggressive with his approach, but is out form. Given his potential, he can be a good differential c/vc option.
• Pavan Rathnayake
• Dushmantha Chameera
• Tim David
• Glenn Maxwell
• Matthew Renshaw
• Kamindu Mendis

Other Matchups and Facts 

• Australia has won 3 of the last 5 T20Is played against Sri Lanka.
• Glenn Maxwell smashed 145* off 65 balls on this ground against Sri Lanka in 2016.
• Maheesh Theekshana vs Travis Head in T20s: 16 balls, 22 runs, one wicket.
• Adam Zampa vs Pathum Nissanka in T20s: 26 balls, 23 runs, two wickets.

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 30th Match: AUS vs SL Dream11 Prediction Today

Option 1:

Option 2:

ICC T20 World Cup 2026 30th Match: AUS vs SL Match Prediction: Who will win?

Despite Australia’s poor form, they are still a dangerous side full of match-winners. But Sri Lanka has been in sublime form as a side, and they will be pretty confident coming into this game. 

Sri Lanka to win.