Drinks on the field! Sri Lanka have made a flying start and are comfortably ahead of the asking rate, though still slightly behind where Australia were at this stage. The big question now — will they avoid the post-Powerplay slump that hurt Australia, or keep riding this momentum? We'll find out on the other side.
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LIVE | SL vs AUS LIVE SCORE T20 World Cup 2026 Today Match Updates: Nissanka Punishes Australia in Pallekele; Sri Lanka Cruise in 182 Chase | SL 141/2 in 15 Overs vs AUS (181)
🕒 Updated: Feb 16, 2026 | 10:08 PM IST
SL vs AUS T20 Live Score T20 World Cup 2026 Live Match Today Updates: Catch all the latest score, updates and ball-by-by commentary of Australia versus Sri Lanka match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Pallekele here on The Sunday Guardian. You can watch live streaming of AUS vs SL on OTT platform and mobile app Jio Hotstar.
Pathum Nissanka continued his blistering form in T20 World Cup 2026 as he smashed Marcus Stoinis for 20 runs in the 15th over; Kusal Mendis scored a brilliant half-century well fas Sri Lanka dominate Australia in Group B fixture of T20 World Cup 2026 in Pallekele. Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh slammed half-centuries to power Australia to a strong total of 181 in 20 overs, but Sri Lanka fought back late with quick wickets in a T20 World Cup 2026 match in Pallekele on Monday. Injury-hit Australia may rope in veteran Steve Smith to shore up their struggling batting ahead of a must-win T20 World Cup 2026 Group B clash against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Monday. The 2021 champions are under pressure after a shocking 23-run loss to Zimbabwe, which left them third in the table with just two points from two matches.
Captain Mitchell Marsh remains doubtful due to internal testicular bleeding, while Smith has joined the squad as cover and could be added to the 15-man roster, especially after Josh Hazlewood’s injury exit created a vacant slot. Australia, already missing Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood, received a boost with Marcus Stoinis declared fit, but their brittle top order — exposed in the 146 all-out collapse vs Zimbabwe — remains a major concern.
Sri Lanka vs Australia LIVE SCORE T20 World Cup 2026 UPDATES
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (C), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Pramod Madushan, Janith Liyanage
Australia Squad: Josh Inglis (wk), Travis Head (C), Cameron Green, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Steven Smith.
Sri Lanka vs Australia LIVE Score T20 World Cup 2026 Today Match Updates: Catch all the latest score, updates and ball-by-by commentary of Australia versus Sri Lanka match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Pallekele here on The Sunday Guardian. You can watch live streaming of AUS vs SL on OTT platform and mobile app Jio Hotstar.
Live Updates
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21:51 (IST) 16 Feb 2026
SL vs AUS Live Cricket Score: Sri Lanka 61/1 in 6 overs vs Australia (181)
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21:29 (IST) 16 Feb 2026
AUS vs SL Live Score Today: Kusal Perera out for 1
Gone! Stoinis strikes early for Australia. He hits a back-of-a-length delivery angled across outside off, and Kusal Perera backs away a bit too far trying to force the shot. All he gets is a thin slice that balloons to deep backward point, where it’s safely taken. Australia draw first blood in the second over! Sri Lanka 8/1 in 1.2 overs vs Australia (181) in Pallekele
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21:20 (IST) 16 Feb 2026
SL vs AUS Live Cricket Score: Sri Lanka to begin chase
Welcome back! The umpires and players are out in the middle, with the Australian team — apart from Inglis — wearing white armbands. Xavier Bartlett is at the top of his mark, ready to kick off the innings. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera walk out to open for Sri Lanka, with Nissanka on strike. All set in Pallekele — Bartlett steams in to begin!
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21:02 (IST) 16 Feb 2026
T20 World Cup 2026 Live Score: Good fightback from Lankan spinners
The spinners led Sri Lanka’s fightback brilliantly, with Hemantha starring with 3/37, while Chameera closed strongly despite Pathirana’s early injury exit. It’s a tricky pitch with slower balls gripping, making this a challenging chase — but dew could help Sri Lanka as Australia face a must-win, high-pressure defence.
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20:53 (IST) 16 Feb 2026
AUS vs SL Live Score And Updates: Sri Lanka bowlers' restrict Australia in Pallekele
Sri Lanka produced a superb comeback after Australia looked set for a massive total. The Aussies raced to 100 in just 8.2 overs, with Mitchell Marsh’s return sparking early momentum alongside Travis Head as the pair added a 100-run stand. But once Head fell for 56, the innings lost steam, and Australia slipped from a dominant position to a mini-collapse, eventually finishing on 181.
