Game over for Australia in the World Cup?Image Credit source: PTI

T20 World Cup 2026 Points Table Updated: Before the start of T20 World Cup 2026, hardly anyone would have thought that former champion Australia could be out of the group stage itself. Despite the absence of star bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Australia was considered a contender to reach at least the semi-finals. But within just 7 days, the journey of the team captained by Mitchell Marsh seems to be ending. Even before playing its last match of the group stage, the Australian team is on the verge of being eliminated from the first round and this can also be confirmed on Tuesday 17th February.

Australia's second consecutive defeat

The tournament started from 7th February but Australia Played its first match 4 days later on 11 February. Then this team started with a strong victory by defeating Ireland, but no one had any idea of ​​what would happen next. In their very next match, Australia suffered an upset at the hands of Zimbabwe. This was only the second time (earlier in 2007) that Australia and Zimbabwe met in the T20 World Cup and both times the Kangaroo team lost.

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Despite this, it was expected that the Australian team would make a comeback and win against Sri Lanka in the next match and then defeat Oman in the last match and go to the Super-8. But now it does not seem that there is a need to wait for the Oman match. On Monday 16 February, Australia suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of host Sri Lanka by 8 wickets in 18 overs. This has almost destroyed Australia's hopes.

Off from the tournament in a few hours?

After this defeat, the Australian team is in third place with only 2 points in 3 matches. Only 2 teams from each group will go to Super-8 and currently Sri Lanka has qualified from Group B. In second place is Zimbabwe, which has 4 points. Now whether the Australian team will have to wait till the last match or not, it will be decided on Tuesday, when Zimbabwe will face Ireland in its third match. If Sikandar Raza's team wins this match then it will reach the next round and Australia's game will be over.

How can Australia survive?

Even if this does not happen, Zimbabwe will have a chance to get the Super-8 ticket in the last match. However, the team will face Sri Lanka in that match. Even by winning that match the African team can go to the next round. Overall, Australia's hopes now rest on the fact that Zimbabwe loses its last two matches and it itself defeats Oman in its last match. In such a situation, Zimbabwe, Australia and Ireland will have 4 points each but Australia will have chances of progressing on the basis of better net run rate.