Sri Lanka secure Group Eight place after defeating Australia

Co-hosts, Sri Lanka, have beaten Australia by eight wickets in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group match in Kandy to secure their place in the Group Eight stage of the tournament.

It’s Australia’s second defeat of the tournament and they’re one result away from an early exit.

Despite a 104-run opening partnership between captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, the Aussies who were sent in to bat, were all out for 181 in 20 overs.

Dushan Hemantha picked up three wickets for 37 runs in his four overs. Sri Lanka chased down the target with 12 balls to spare courtesy of an unbeaten 100 off 52 balls from Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendes’ 51.

If Zimbabwe beat Ireland at the same venue on Tuesday, Australia’s campaign will come to an end after the group stage.