Group B of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held entirely in Sri Lanka. The team aims to replicate the success of the 2014 champions. They will compete against Australia, the 2021 champions, currently ranked second globally, along with Ireland, Oman, and Zimbabwe.
Australia
Australia Team. (Photo Source: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Mitchell Marsh leads a powerful Australian team known for its strong batting and experienced bowling. However, Australia’s recent performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has been inconsistent.
Since 2012, they have only reached the semi-finals once, winning the tournament in 2021 against New Zealand. Marsh starred in that final with a score of 77 and returns as captain for another tournament.
Key players like Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, and Cameron Green strengthen their batting lineup, while spinners Adam Zampa and Cooper Connolly are expected to play crucial roles. Australia seeks a strong start against Ireland, aiming to return to the knockout stage after last reaching it in 2021.
Ireland
Ireland Cricket denies shifting T20 World Cup matches to India amid Bangladesh controversy (Photo Source: Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Ireland has participated in every ICC Men’s T20 World Cup except the first and aims to reach the Super 8 stage. They last advanced from the first round in 2022, where they defeated England, the eventual champions.
Paul Stirling leads the team, bringing experience from all prior World Cups. He is supported by veteran spinner George Dockrell and wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker.
Josh Little has shown promise as a bowler since making his debut, and 23-year-old spinner Matthew Humphreys has impressed in recent matches against the UAE and Italy.
Oman
Oman is set to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the fourth time after qualifying through the Asia & East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Qualifier. They have secured wins in two of their previous appearances, including their debut in 2016 against Ireland.
Captain Jatinder Singh will lead the batting lineup with support from vice-captain and wicketkeeper Vinayak Shukla.
The bowling unit, featuring Jiten Ramanandi, Sufyan Mehmood, and Nadeem Khan, performed well in the Qualifier. Aamir Kaleem and Mohammad Nadeem are notably the oldest players in the tournament, at ages 44 and 43.
Sri Lanka
SL vs ENG 2026: Sri Lanka vs England Highlights & Result – 1st ODI. (Photo Source: Sameera Peiris/Getty Images)
In the first five ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, Sri Lanka reached three finals and another semi-final.
Since their 2014 victory, they have struggled to replicate that success and faced their worst exit two years ago when they lost their opening matches and failed to progress.
Now, playing on home turf, they hope to compete at a higher level. Captain Dasun Shanaka leads a bowling attack that holds potential with Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesha Pathirana, and Dushmantha Chameera. Batters like Pathum Nissanka and experienced Kusal Mendis have shown good form in recent series against England.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe makes a return to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after missing the last edition.
While familiar faces like skipper Sikandar Raza and wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor are back, the team’s youngest player, 22-year-old Brian Bennett, has played a key role in securing their spot in the tournament with strong performances.
Bennett scored three half-centuries and a century recently, boosting Zimbabwe’s hopes as they aim for a strong start against Oman before facing Australia.
