4
Group B of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is one of the most competitive pools in the tournament. Featuring traditional powerhouses like Australia and Sri Lanka, alongside spirited sides such as Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman, Group B of the ICC T20 World Cup is the only group to include four Test-playing teams. All the matches of this group will be played in Sri Lanka
Group B Teams
Australia
Sri Lanka
Ireland
Zimbabwe
Oman
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia t20I ranking: 2nd
Best result in the T20 World Cup: Champions (2021)
Top Rated Batsman: Travis Head
Top Rated Bowler: Adam Zampa
15-Member Squad
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Strengths
Australia boasts a powerful batting lineup filled with hard-hitting specialists like Travis Head, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis, capable of changing matches in a session. Their bowling is balanced with spin from Adam Zampa and raw pace from Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis.
Weaknesses
The team was dealt a blow with Pat Cummins’ late injury absence, weakening their new-ball attack. Adjusting quickly in spin-friendly Sri Lankan conditions will be key, as they struggled against Pakistan’s quality spin attack.
Tournament Prospects
Australia is a strong contender to top Group B of the T20 World Cup, along with Sri Lanka. If their batting clicks and bowlers adapt, they can go deep into the Super Eight stage and beyond, potentially as title favourites.
Round-one fixtures: vs Ireland (February 11, Colombo), vs Zimbabwe (February 13, Colombo); vs Sri Lanka (February 16, Pallekele); vs Oman (February 20, Pallekele)
Read more: How Shehzad-Akmal’s test knock in crucial T20 WC fixture killed Pakistan’s semi-final hopes
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka t20I ranking: 8th
Best result in the T20 World Cup: Champions (2014)
Top Rated Batsman: Pathum Nissanka
Top Rated Bowler: Wanindu Hasaranga
15-Member Squad
Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.
Strengths
Sri Lanka’s spin attack, led by Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana is tailor-made for home conditions. Star batters like Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis provide consistency at the top, and Dushmantha Chameera provides the cutting edge to the Sri Lankans in the fast bowling department.
Weaknesses
Inconsistency in big tournaments has been a recurring issue. If top batters fail early, the middle order will feel pressure, thus making the middle order the biggest weakness of this team.
Tournament Prospects
With home advantage and spin proficiency, Sri Lanka are genuine challengers for a top-two finish from Group B of the T20 World Cup and have the momentum to reach the Super Eight round if their key players perform.
Round-one fixtures: vs Ireland (February 8, Colombo), vs Oman (February 12, Pallekele); vs Australia (February 16, Pallekele); vs Zimbabwe (February 19, Colombo
🇮🇪 Ireland
Ireland t20I ranking: 11th
Best result in the T20 World Cup: Super 8s (2009)
Top Rated Batsman: Paul Stirling
Top Rated Bowler: Mathew Humphreys
Zimbabwe
15-Member Squad
Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
Strengths
Ireland’s squad is seasoned, anchored by experienced campaigners like Paul Stirling and supported by versatile players such as Curtis Campher and Josh Little. Their depth provides flexibility in batting and bowling roles with plenty of all-round options.
Weaknesses
Consistency from the batters is the biggest problem for this Irish team. They have explosive batsmen with the likes of Paul Striling and George Dockrell, but consistency is the main issue; Ireland can also falter against higher-ranked teams with their vulnerable bowling at the death overs too.
Tournament Prospects
Ireland could be the dark horse of Group B of the T20 World Cup. While qualifying for the Super Eights is challenging, they have the talent and experience to upset stronger sides if their key players find form.
Round-one fixtures: vs Sri Lanka (February 8, Colombo), vs Australia (February 11, Colombo); vs Oman (February 14, Colombo); vs Zimbabwe (February 17, Pallekele
Read more: GROUP C: PREVIEW – England, West Indies, Scotland, Nepal & Italy Set for a Fierce T20 World Cup Battle
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe t20I ranking: 12th
Best result in the T20 World Cup: Super 12 (2022)
Top Rated Batsman: Brian Bennett
Top Rated Bowler: Sikandar Raza
15 Member Squad
Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor.
Strengths
Led by all-rounder Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe mixes youth and experience. Players like Brian Bennett and Ryan Burl bring flair, while bowlers such as Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava provide steady options, with Geame Creamer and Sikandar Raza providing 8 overs of handy spin bowling especially in Sri Lankan conditions.
Weaknesses
Zimbabwe can lack the consistent firepower in the death overs to dominate top teams. If key contributors fail, the team’s middle order could struggle under pressure too.
Tournament Prospects
Zimbabwe can certainly challenge for the top 2 spots in Group B of the T20 World Cup and make life difficult for opponents, but progressing to the Super Eights would require exceptional performances and favorable results elsewhere.
Round-one fixtures: vs Oman (February 9, Colombo), vs Australia (February 13, Colombo); vs Ireland (February 17, Pallekele); vs Sri Lanka (February 19, Colombo
🇴🇲 Oman
Oman t20I ranking: 20th
Best result in the T20 World Cup: Group Stage (2024)
Top Rated Batsman: Jatinder Singh
Top Rated Bowler: Bilal Khan
15-Member Squad
Jatinder Singh (c), Vinayak Shukla, Mohammad Nadeem, Shakeel Ahmad, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Shah Faisal, Nadeem Khan, Sufyan Mehmood, Jay Odedra, Shafiq Jan, Ashish Odedara, Jiten Ramanandi, Aamir Kaleem.
Strengths
Oman’s bowling attack is disciplined, and a few of their batters, including Vinayak Shukla and Mohammad Nadeem can anchor innings and accelerate when needed.
Weaknesses
Compared with the big teams, Oman’s batting lacks consistent power hitting and depth, which may be exposed in crunch situations.
Tournament Prospects
Oman will aim to cause upsets and challenge all teams in Group B of the T20 World Cup. While knockout qualification is unlikely without remarkable performances, they’ll be keen to prove they belong on cricket’s biggest stage.
Round-one fixtures: vs Zimbabwe (February 9, Colombo), vs Sri Lanka (February 12, Pallekele); vs Ireland (February 14, Colombo); vs Australia (February 20, Pallekele)
Group B Outlook & Predictions
Group B of the T20 World Cup offers a fascinating mix of experience, firepower, and spin prowess. Australia and Sri Lanka are the clear favourites to advance, thanks to their batting depth and home conditions, and the advantage of their experienced spinners.
Ireland and Zimbabwe are capable of springing surprises and contesting for a coveted Super Eights berth if they produce consistent match-winning displays. Oman may play spoiler, and a win or two could make things interesting.
Every match in this group could sway the rankings, making Group B of the T20 World Cup the most compelling pool of the tournament.
Read More:
