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Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy for a heavyweight Group B showdown. On February 16, 2026, co-hosts Sri Lanka will face off against Australia in Match 30 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. With the atmospheric Kandy hills providing the backdrop, this fixture has evolved from a simple group game into a battle for survival and supremacy, as both sides eye a coveted spot in the Super 8 stage.
Steve Smith bolsters Australia squad following Josh Hazlewood’s exit from T20 World Cup 2026
The Australian camp has been forced into a late tactical pivot following the official withdrawal of premier pacer Josh Hazlewood. The veteran right-armer, a cornerstone of Australia’s pace battery, has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2026 T20 World Cup due to a persistent calf strain. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff to nurse him back for the knockout rounds, Hazlewood failed to meet the necessary fitness benchmarks.
In a move that signals a shift in strategy, the Event Technical Committee of the ICC has approved the inclusion of Steve Smith as his replacement. While Smith was initially a travelling reserve providing cover for the injured Mitchell Marsh, he now finds himself officially back in the 15-man squad.
“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has approved Steve Smith as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood in the Australia squad. Smith is named as a replacement for Hazlewood, who is now officially ruled out from participating in the tournament due to a calf injury,” the ICC confirmed in a media release.
Smith’s return comes at a fascinating time. Having not featured in a T20I for nearly two years before this call-up, his sensational form in the recent Big Bash League, where he boasted a strike rate of nearly 168, suggests he is more than ready for the subcontinental grind. His experience against spin will be vital on a slowing Pallekele surface.
A crucial must-win fixture for Australia’s Super 8 ambitions
For the Lions, the equation is clear: victory tonight guarantees them a place in the Super 8. Currently sitting at the top of Group B with two wins from two matches, Sri Lanka have been the form team of the group. Their massive 105-run win over Oman has given them a healthy Net Run Rate (NRR) of +3.125, making them the team to beat on home soil.
However, the pressure is arguably higher on Australia. Following a shock 23-run defeat to Zimbabwe, the 2021 champions are currently third in the table. A loss to Sri Lanka would leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread, likely requiring other results to go their way and a massive win against Oman in their final fixture.
The Pallekele pitch is expected to offer a balanced contest, but as the lights take effect, the surface typically slows down, aiding Sri Lanka’s formidable spin of Maheesh Theekshana. Australia will look to Smith and a returning Marsh to navigate these tricky middle overs. With the local Kandy crowd expected to turn out in droves, Sri Lanka holds the psychological edge.
