Nissanka’s century powers Sri Lanka; England and Afghanistan keep Super 8 hopes alive in T20 WC
Cricket fans were treated to a thrilling Monday in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 , with three crucial group-stage matches delivering drama, remarkable individual performances, and decisive impacts on the Super 8 qualification race.
In a high-stakes Group B clash at Pallekele, Sri Lanka defeated Australia by eight wickets , putting the 2021 champions on the brink of elimination. Chasing 182, Pathum Nissanka produced a brilliant unbeaten century (100 off 52 balls) , the first of the tournament, guiding his side to victory with composure and aggressive stroke-play. Supporting contributions from Kusal Mendis (51) and crucial fielding moments helped Sri Lanka complete the chase comfortably. Despite strong innings from Australia’s Travis Head (56) and Mitchell Marsh (54) , the defending champions fell short, leaving their Super 8 hopes hanging by a thread. Nissanka’s innings not only sealed the win but also secured Sri Lanka’s place in the Super Eight stage.
At Eden Gardens, England overcame Italy by 24 runs in a Group C encounter to book their spot in the Super Eight round. Batting first, England posted 202/7 , propelled by an explosive 53 not out from Will Jacks , who smashed multiple sixes and fours to anchor the innings. Italy fought bravely, with Ben Manenti contributing 60 off 25 balls , but incisive bowling from Sam Curran (3‑22) and Jamie Overton (3‑18) restricted the debutants to 178 all out. England’s victory ensures their advancement alongside strong contenders like India, South Africa, and the West Indies, while Italy will exit the group stage with valuable experience gained.
In Delhi, Afghanistan secured a five-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates in a pulsating Group D match. All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai starred with both ball and bat , taking 4 wickets for 15 runs to restrict the UAE to 160/9 before finishing unbeaten on 40 to guide Afghanistan to 162/5 in 19.2 overs. Opener Ibrahim Zadran’s 53 laid the foundation for the chase, keeping Afghanistan’s slim Super 8 hopes alive. The day also saw a historic milestone as Rashid Khan became the first bowler to claim 700 wickets in men’s T20 cricket , cementing his legacy in the shortest format.
As the group stage progresses, teams like Sri Lanka, England, India and South Africa have secured Super 8 spots, while others battle for survival with every match carrying heightened stakes.
Today’s Schedule:
Cricket action continues with three exciting fixtures lined up across India and Sri Lanka. First up at 11:00 AM IST at Chennai , New Zealand face Canada in their Group D encounter. At 3:00 PM IST in Kandy , Ireland take on Zimbabwe in Group B, and later at 7:00 PM IST in Mumbai , Scotland meet Nepal in a Group C contest, all matches critical for teams seeking advancement to the Super 8 round.