The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 wraps up Group B as Australia takes on Oman in Match 40 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. Australia’s last match comes after a surprising loss to Zimbabwe and a strong defeat by Sri Lanka, leading to their elimination from the tournament. Oman is also out of contention for the Super 8s due to their losses, making this game a matter of pride. Australia hopes to avoid a winless tournament, while Oman aims for their first World Cup win against a leading cricket nation.
AUS vs OMA, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details
- Date and Time: February 20 (Friday); 7:00 pm IST / 1:30 pm GMT / 4:30 pm Local
- Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Head-to-Head Record (T20Is):
Matches played: 1 | Australia won: 1 | Oman won: 0
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The Pallekele pitch is known as one of the best batting surfaces in Sri Lanka, providing good bounce and carry. Unlike Colombo’s spin-friendly pitches, Kandy allows batsmen to play aggressively, particularly in the Powerplay. However, early on, seamers can expect some movement, and as the innings progress, spin tactics become important. The average first-innings score in T20Is here is around 165-175. With a 7:00 pm start, mist or light dew later in the match might impact grip, leading captains to prefer bowl first for better batting conditions under lights.
Team dynamics and key players
Australia: Australia’s mood is “devastated” after their unexpected exit. The team has faced injuries; captain Mitchell Marsh is out with a serious condition, leaving Travis Head to guide a weakened squad. Steve Smith was recently added but missed the match against Sri Lanka, leading to criticism of the selection choices. Australia will depend on the pace of Nathan Ellis and the spin of Adam Zampa to regain some respect, while the middle order, including Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, needs to perform after recent failures.
Oman: Captain Jatinder Singh leads a team that has struggled to keep up in this tournament. Although they have faced significant defeats, some resilience has been evident. Mohammad Nadeem has been a standout with the bat, while veteran bowler Bilal Khan has over 110 T20I wickets, posing a significant threat. Omans’ strategy will focus on attacking Australia’s faltering top order early and using Aamir Kaleem‘s spin in the middle overs to apply pressure.
Squads:
Oman: Aamir Kaleem, Jatinder Singh(c), Ashish Odedara, Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla(w), Mohammad Nadeem, Jiten Ramanandi, Nadeem Khan, Sufyan Mehmood, Shakeel Ahmed, Shah Faisal, Shafiq Jan, Karan Sonavale, Jay Odedra, Wasim Ali
Australia: Mitchell Marsh(c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis(w), Marcus Stoinis, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Ben Dwarshuis, Matt Renshaw, Matthew Kuhnemann, Steve Smith
AUS vs OMA, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Prediction
Case 1:
- Australia wins the toss and bowls first
- Oman’s Powerplay score: 35–45 (6 overs)
- Oman’s total score: 130–145
Case 2:
- Oman wins the toss and bowls first
- Australia’s Powerplay score: 55–65 (6 overs)
- Australia’s total score: 185–200
Match result: Australia to win the contest.
