PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and decided to bowl first against Australia in a crucial Group B encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
The decision was expected on a pitch that typically assists spinners as the game progresses.
Shanaka expressed confidence in his bowling attack to restrict the Australian batting line-up under lights.
High-stakes group battle
The match carries enormous significance for both teams, but especially for Australia.
The visitors find themselves in a must-win situation after a shocking defeat to Zimbabwe in their previous outing.
Sri Lanka currently top Group B with four points from two matches, sitting comfortably ahead of second-placed Zimbabwe on net run rate.
Australia are third with just two points and cannot afford another slip-up if they want to control their own destiny in the tournament.
A loss today would leave the 2021 champions depending on other results to qualify for the next stage.
Team news: Sri Lanka stick with winning combination
Sri Lanka named an unchanged XI from the side that defeated Ireland in their opening match.
The hosts continue to back their spin-heavy attack, with Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha and Maheesh Theekshana all included.
The pace department will be handled by the experienced Dushmantha Chameera and the young slinger Matheesha Pathirana, whose unique action has troubled batters worldwide.
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
Australia ring changes after Zimbabwe shock
Australia have made changes to their playing XI following the embarrassing loss to Zimbabwe. Mitchell Marsh will lead a side desperate to find form and consistency.
The big-hitting Tim David keeps his place in the middle order, while all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell provide depth. In the bowling department, Adam Zampa will lead the spin attack alongside young Cooper Connolly.
Australia Playing XI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
Head-to-head: Australia dominate numbers
History favours the visitors in this matchup. Australia and Sri Lanka have faced each other 26 times in T20 Internationals, with the men from down under winning 16 matches.
Sri Lanka have tasted victory on 10 occasions.
The record suggests Australia start as favourites, but current form tells a different story.
Contrasting form guides
The two teams arrive at this fixture with completely different momentum.
Sri Lanka have won both their matches so far, defeating Zimbabwe in their opener before beating Ireland in a commanding performance.
Their confidence is high, and their spin attack has proven difficult to handle on home tracks.
Australia’s campaign has been a rollercoaster. They started with a win against Ireland but then suffered a shock defeat to Zimbabwe — a result that has left their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
Sri Lanka form (most recent first): W, W, L, L, L
Australia form (most recent first): L, W, L, L, L
Both teams have struggled with consistency outside this tournament, but Sri Lanka have found their rhythm at the perfect time.
What’s at stake
For Sri Lanka, a win today would virtually seal their place in the Super Eight stage.
For Australia, anything less than victory could spell early elimination from a tournament they entered as one of the favourites.
The Pallekele pitch is expected to offer turn as the match progresses, making Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first a strategic move.
They will look to restrict Australia to a chaseable total and then let their spinners take over under lights.
Australia, meanwhile, need their big names to fire. Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell must deliver if the 2021 champions are to keep their campaign alive.
The action is set to begin shortly as Sri Lanka take the field with the ball in hand and Australia’s openers walk out to face a hostile home crowd in Pallekele.
