The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy is in the heavyweight division in Group B. Co-hosts on February 16, 2026 Sri Lanka will appear Australia In the 30th match ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. With the atmospheric Kandy hills providing the backdrop, this fixture has turned 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 strengthens Australia squad after Josh Hazlewood pulls out of T20 World Cup 2026.
The Australian camp was forced into a late tactical U-turn after the premier pacer officially withdrew. Josh Hazlewood. The veteran right-armer, the cornerstone of Australia’s pace battery, will miss the remainder of the 2026 T20 World Cup due to a persistent calf strain. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff to get him back to the playoffs, Hazlewood failed to meet the necessary fitness indicators.
In a move that signals a change in strategy, the ICC’s Technical Committee on Events has approved the inclusion of: Steve Smith as his replacement. Smith was originally a traveling reserve, protecting the wounded Mitchell Marshhe now officially finds himself on a 15-man squad.
“The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Event Technical Committee has confirmed Steve Smith as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood in the Australian squad. Smith has been named as a replacement for Hazlewood, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury.“, – ICC confirmed in a media release.
Smith’s return comes at an interesting time. His sensational form of late, having not featured in a T20I for nearly two years prior to this challenge. Big Bash LeagueBoasting a strike rate of around 168, it shows he is ready for the subcontinental grind. His experience against spin will be vital on the slowing Pallekele surface.
A must-win fixture for Australia’s Super 8 ambitions
For the Lions, the equation is clear: a win tonight guarantees them a place in the Super 8. Sri Lanka are the form team of the group, currently sitting at the top of Group B with two wins from two matches. Their big win of 105 Oman giving them a healthy Net Run Rate (NRR) of +3.125, making them the team to beat on home soil.
However, the pressure on Australia is much higher. A shock 23 run defeat ZimbabweThe 2021 champions are currently third in the table. A loss to Sri Lanka will dent their qualification hopes, likely requiring other results to go their way and a big win over Oman in the final match.
The Pallekele pitch is expected to provide a balanced contest, but the surface usually slows down as the lights come on, aiding Sri Lanka’s formidable spin. Mahesh Theekshana. Australia will look to Smith and the returning Marsh to man the tough middle overs. With the local Kandy crowd expected to turn out in droves, Sri Lanka have the psychological advantage.
