![AUS vs SL Prediction [Source: @ICC/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1771158819332_AUSvsSL.jpg?type=hq)
AUS vs SL Prediction [Source: @ICC/x]
Australia will be taking on fellow heavyweights and hosts Sri Lanka in match number 30 of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Marking the third respective outing for both sides this competition, the match will be hosted by the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday, February 16 and the action will commence from 7:00 PM IST onwards.
Australia trounced Ireland by 67 runs in an NRR boosting win to start off their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on a strong note. However, a depleted Australian side were subsequently jolted by Zimbabwe in Colombo, thus making their impending Sri Lanka clash a must-win one for the serial ICC Trophy winners.
Hosts Sri Lanka, on a trail of resounding wins over Ireland and Oman, will be aiming to sustain their unbeaten run with another desirable outing against Australia. A win over Australia at this stage of the tournament will also confirm a place in the Super 8s for Dasun Shanaka’s troops.
AUS vs SL current form (Last 5 T20I matches)
| Team | Form |
| Australia | L, W, L, L, L |
| Sri Lanka | W, W, L, L, L |
AUS vs SL player battles
Travis Head vs Dushmantha Chameera
Australia’s all-format superstar Travis Head holds a penchant of going berserk inside, and beyond the powerplay. The firebrand opener is expected to cross paths with Sri Lanka’s new ball pace operator Dushmantha Chameera. The winner of this duel will pretty much set the tone of the rest of the innings.
Pathum Nissanka vs Ben Dwarshuis
Pathum Nissanka has emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s most prolific batters in T20Is off late with 246 runs in his last 10 innings. Achieving success in his new ball face-off against paceman Ben Dwarshuis can decimate Australia’s morale early in the game.
In contrast, Dwarshuis will also back himself to topple Nissanka inside the powerplay by varying his pace on a slow Pallekele surface.
Glenn Maxwell vs Maheesh Theekshana
Australia’s hard-hitting legend Glenn Maxwell is yet to light up this 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. One of the seniormost members of the current Australian side, it is imperative for Maxwell to dominate Sri Lankan spinners in the middle-overs.
His biggest nemesis, Maheesh Theekshana, has already taken five wickets in the tournament. With the stage set for the middle overs, this face off could well dictate the tempo of the contest and decide which side gains the crucial upper hand.
AUS vs SL top performers
Most runs for Australia vs Sri Lanka (among squad members)
Glenn Maxwell has aggregated 482 runs in 13 innings spanning 16 matches to emerge as Australia’s most successful T20I batter against Sri Lanka.
Most wickets for Australia vs Sri Lanka (among squad members)
Senior leg-spinner Adam Zampa has taken the highest number of wickets across all Australia vs Sri Lanka T20Is, with 21 wickets to his name in just 12 innings at an average of 13.
Most runs for Sri Lanka vs Australia (among squad members)
Among all active cricketers, Pathum Nissanka is Sri Lanka’s most successful batter against Australia with 297 runs in 10 innings at an average of 29.70.
Most wickets for Sri Lanka vs Australia (among squad members)
Sri Lanka off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana has clipped eight Australian wickets in his 10 T20I innings against them at an average of 32.25.
AUS vs SL toss prediction
The captain winning the toss will likely opt to bat first. The surface at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy tends to get tricky for batting in the second half of the game. Even in the recently-concluded series played here between Sri Lanka and England, the teams batting first ended up winning two of the three matches.
AUS vs SL 1st innings score prediction
Powerplay – 50/1
Final Score – 165/6
AUS vs SL 2nd innings score prediction
Powerplay – 45/2
Final Score – 150/8
AUS vs SL top players prediction
Australia top players prediction
Probable best batters
Marcus Stoinis, Travis Head
Probable best bowlers
Adam Zampa, Nathan Ellis
Sri Lanka top players prediction
Probable best batters
Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka
Probable best bowlers
Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera
Who will hit the most sixes in Australia vs Sri Lanka Match 30?
Travis Head
Who will hit the most fours in Australia vs Sri Lanka Match 30?
Pathum Nissanka
AUS vs SL Match Winner Prediction: Who Will Win Match 30?
Sri Lanka will start out as favorites to defeat Australia on a trail of their unbeaten run and home advantage. However, one can never write off Australia, especially in ICC tournaments.
All in all, the upcoming Australia vs Sri Lanka match promises a fiercely contested showdown that could go right down to the wire.
