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Mitchell Marsh admitted Australia were outplayed as Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets and with two overs to spare, booking a Super 8 spot in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Mitchell Marsh accepted that Australia were outplayed by Sri Lanka (AP)
Mitchell Marsh believed 181 was a competitive total, though Sri Lanka were home with two overs to spare on the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday to book their spot within the Super 8.
The Australian captain accepted that his team was outplayed on the night because the World No. 2 run the chance of crashing out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 within the group stage.
“I believed it was a competitive total. We probably left ourselves a number of short after the beginning we had. Well played to Sri Lanka, they outplayed us tonight. We all know that at our greatest we are able to make big scores. We just lost our way towards the back end,” Mitchell Marsh said after Australia’s 8-wicket loss to Sri Lanka.
“Sri Lanka bowled very well towards the back end. We knew we were a number of short. Not much else to say except that SL outplayed us. We’re within the lap of the dogs now I believe. Lot of emotions within the room without delay. Haven’t been at our greatest. Upset bunch in the meanwhile,” Marsh added.
Can Australia Qualify For Super 8?
Australia still has a likelihood to remain within the competition, though it’s a slim one. To qualify, Zimbabwe must lose each of their upcoming matches — against Ireland on February 17 and against Sri Lanka on the nineteenth.
In the primary match, Ireland, who’re also vying for a spot in the subsequent round, will probably be a tricky opponent for Zimbabwe. Within the second match, Sri Lanka, one of the vital in-form teams, might rest some players since they’ve already secured their qualification.
If Ireland defeats Zimbabwe, Australia will need to succeed in 4 points by beating Oman on February 20, and they have to win by a margin large enough to surpass Ireland’s Net Run Rate (currently at +0.150 in comparison with Australia’s +0.414).
(With inputs from Agencies)
February 16, 2026, 23:25 IST
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