Australia and Oman close their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaigns with a dead-rubber Group B clash at Pallekele. With both sides already eliminated, the match offers a final chance to restore pride and finish the tournament with a win.
Match details
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
Date: Friday, February 20
Time: 7:00 PM IST, 6:30 PM PST, 1:30 PM GMT
Team overviews
Australia
Australia entered the tournament with high expectations but failed to sustain momentum after a promising start. They opened with a dominant 67-run victory over Ireland, which briefly suggested a strong campaign. However, back-to-back defeats against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka exposed inconsistencies in both batting and bowling. A rain washout elsewhere later confirmed their early elimination, ending any hopes of a Super Eight berth.
The former champions struggled to find balance throughout the group stage. Injuries to key fast bowlers weakened their attack, while the batting unit lacked consistency beyond individual flashes of brilliance. Despite the disappointment, Australia will aim to use this final fixture to regain confidence and assess combinations before looking ahead to future assignments.
Oman
Oman endured a difficult run in Group B and remain at the bottom of the table. Losses to Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Ireland prevented them from gaining traction at any stage of the competition. The side often found itself chasing the game early, either due to batting collapses or inability to contain opposition batters.
Led by Jatinder Singh, Oman will treat this match as an opportunity to compete freely without the pressure of qualification. A strong performance against a full-member nation like Australia would provide encouragement and valuable experience for a squad still building its presence on the global stage.
Key players
For Australia, Travis Head stands out as the batter to watch. The aggressive left-hander has scored 79 runs in three innings and registered a fighting fifty against Sri Lanka in a losing cause. Known for his ability to dominate the powerplay, Head will look to sign off with a commanding innings.
With the ball, Nathan Ellis has carried the responsibility of leading the attack in the absence of senior pacers. The right-arm quick has been Australia’s most effective bowler in the tournament, using variations and control at the death. He will aim to make an impact again in what could be a batting-friendly contest.
Oman’s hopes largely rest on contributions from captain Jatinder Singh at the top and a disciplined bowling effort led by their seamers and all-round options.
Head-to-head record
Australia and Oman have met once in T20 internationals. Australia won that encounter, which took place on June 6, 2024. There have been no ties or no-results between the two sides.
Pitch report
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium traditionally offers favorable conditions for batters in T20 cricket. Scores above 150 remain common, thanks to good pace and carry on the surface. Batters who spend time at the crease can play through the line with confidence. Pacers may find some movement early on, but bowlers must maintain disciplined lines and lengths, as any loose deliveries tend to disappear quickly. Overall, conditions indicate a high-scoring contest.
Probable match scenarios
If Australia bat first, they will look to attack early through their top order and post a total beyond 165 to put Oman under pressure. Their bowling unit would then aim to strike early and control the middle overs.
If Oman bat first, they must focus on building partnerships and avoiding early wickets. A competitive total could test Australia, especially if Oman’s bowlers maintain tight lines and force mistakes.
Probable playing XIs
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim David, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
Oman: Aamir Kaleem, Jatinder Singh (captain), Hammad Mirza, Ashish Odedara, Mohammad Nadeem, Jiten Ramanandi, Vinayak Shukla (wicketkeeper), Nadeem Khan, Sufyan Mehmood, Shah Faisal, Shakeel Ahmed
Live streaming and broadcast
In India, the match will be broadcast on JioStar Network Channels, with live streaming available on the JioHotstar app and website. Viewers in Pakistan, the UK, Australia, and other regions can watch the match through official ICC broadcast partners and authorized digital platforms in their respective territories.
Match prediction
Despite an underwhelming campaign, Australia enter the contest as favorites due to superior depth, experience, and individual match-winners. Oman may challenge in phases, but Australia’s batting strength and bowling variety should help them finish their tournament with a victory.
