Sri Lanka just pulled off something special against Australia in the 2026 tournament. They almost knocked out the former champions convincingly to book their Super 8 spot. The co-hosts are absolutely flying heading into the knockout stage now.
Australia started brilliantly with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head racing to 70 runs in the powerplay. Head smashed 56 off 29 balls looking completely unstoppable. But after his dismissal at 104-1, Australia fell apart badly.
The spinners strangled Australia in the middle overs brilliantly. Dushan Hemantha grabbed 3 for 37 dismissing both Head and Marsh. Australia managed just 77 runs for the loss of 9 wickets after that shocking collapse.
Nissanka’s Century Stole the Show
Pathum Nissanka played an absolute blinder chasing 181 runs against Australia. He hammered 100 not out off just 52 balls. That’s the joint-highest score by a Sri Lankan batter in T20 World Cups ever.
Kusal Mendis added 51 runs partnering Nissanka in a 97-run second wicket stand. Stoinis broke that partnership but it was already too late. Nissanka smashed 20 runs off one Stoinis over sealing the Matches brilliantly.
He reached his hundred in the 18th over by cruising home. The 2026 matches delivered a stunning moment through that incredible innings. Sri Lanka won with 8 wickets in hand making it look easy.
Super 8 Schedule Breakdown
| Match | Date | Opponents | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sun, Feb 22, 2026 | England | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele | 3:00 PM |
| 2 | Wed, Feb 25, 2026 | TBC | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 7:00 PM |
| 3 | Sat, Feb 28, 2026 | TBC | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele | 7:00 PM |
They will face England on February 22, as their first match has been confirmed. Pakistan likely comes next on February 25 in another massive encounter. New Zealand or England awaits them on February 28 completing their Super 8 Schedule.
All Sri Lanka Super 8 Matches happen on home soil. Playing in familiar conditions gives them serious advantages over visiting teams. Home crowd support could prove massive during these crucial knockout Matches in 2026.
Home Advantage Changes Everything
The 2026 Schedule keeps Sri Lanka in its own backyard. English, Pakistani, and New Zealand batters will struggle with local conditions potentially. Their spinners will exploit home pitches better than any touring side.
The Sri Lanka Super 8 Matches setup couldn’t be more perfect honestly. Win two from three games and the semi-finals become a real possibility. Co-hosting the tournament gives them the ultimate advantage over opponents in the upcoming matches.
