ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Preview: Group B
ICC T20 World Cup 2026
The 10th edition of the ICC T20 World Cup is finally here. Mired by behind-the-scenes controversies, political clashes, backouts and wildcard entries, this version of the latest ICC event will be hosted by defending champions India and Sri Lanka at eight different venues from 7th Feb till 8th March. The event will again have 20 teams divided in four groups of 5 which will be followed by Super 8s and the knockouts. India, England and West Indies have claimed the silverware twice while Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia won a single title each.
There was a huge tussle between the Bangladesh cricket board and the ICC over their participation as the BCB insisted on shifting their matches from India to Sri Lanka citing security concerns for their players and other staff. However, ICC remained firm on their stance and despite gaining support from the Pakistan cricket board, BCB decided to withdraw from the event resulting in a last-minute call-up for Scotland. Recent developments have seen Pakistan cricket board announcing a forfeit of their Feb 15 fixture against India in Colombo which has drawn a strong response from the ICC. Further details are awaited.
We will be reviewing the different teams participating in the event based on the various groups. Let's review Group B consisting of Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Oman.
Oman
Oman's T20 World Cup journey started in 2016 with a win against Ireland by 2 wickets in their first game which remains their biggest win till date in this format. They registered another win in the 2021 event but crashed out in the qualifying stage both times. Their third appearance in 2024 again started with a close Super Over loss against Namibia but they lost their last three matches by a huge margin ending a winless campaign in West Indies. What followed after was nothing short of a catastrophe as 12 of the 15 players in the 2024 WC squad had their national contracts expelled due to a clash with the Oman cricket board over non-payment of their World Cup participation amount. The ICC has not been able to take any action against the Oman cricket board and the team has since played with a completely new squad.
Oman celebrating after qualifying for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Road to T20 WC 2026 (Results after the T20 WC 2024)
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Oman underwent a torrid run post the 2024 T20 World Cup as the team in transition went onto lose 14 out of 18 games until the T20 Asia Cup 2025 including losses against lower ranked Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The team got together and out in a strong performance at the ICC Asia and EAP regional Qualifier to finish second behind Nepal and clinch their spot at this year's marquee event.
Squad
Captain Jatinder Singh will lead a vastly inexperienced side in the sub-continent. Oman's average age for the 15-men squad is roughly 33 but the total T20I matches aggregate is only 368. They have added the 40+ year old Mohammed Nadeem & Aamir Kaleem as well as left-arm orthodox Shakeel Ahmed to add some experience. Hammad Mirza and vice-captain Vinayak Sharma will shoulder the batting responsibilities along with their captain. The left-arm pace duo of Faisal Shah and Jiten Ramanandi have been in terrific form. Nadeem Khan will partner Jay Odedra and Shakeel Ahmed in the spin department. Oman will try to use the familiar spin-friendly Sri Lankan conditions to their advantage.
Prediction
Group Stage
Another winless campaign awaits Oman as they start their campaign against Zimbabwe at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo. Next they face hosts Sri Lanka in Pallekele before travelling back to Colombo for their clash against Ireland at the SSC. They will finish the Cup against Australia in Pallekele which will be the last ground stage match of this event. Oman have enjoyed a strong record against Ireland with 2 wins in 6 games but the lack of depth in their squad this time gives their opponents huge advantage.
Oman will play Sri Lanka A and Zimbabwe in the Warm up Games at Colombo.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe have prepared themselves with a lot of T20 practice before the start of this World Cup. They started their T20 World Cup journey in 2007 with a win against giants Australia but could not advance to the next stage on NRR. After withdrawing from the 2009 edition, they remained winless in 2010 and 2012.
Despite winning two out of three games in both 2014 and 2016 qualifying rounds, they missed out on a spot in the next rounds. After ICC suspended them for the 2021 edition, they bounced back in 2022 advancing to the Super 12s by winning against both Ireland and Scotland. In the Super 12s they defeated the eventual runners-up Pakistan but losses in three other games including Netherlands meant they finished last in their group. In the next edition's qualifying they suffered a massive shock as Uganda and Namibia both defeated them comfortably and knocked Zimbabwe out of the qualifying berth for the 2024 World Cup.
Zimbabwe will be led by Sikandar Raza in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Road to T20 WC 2026 (Results after the T20 WC 2024)
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Humiliating losses at the hands of Uganda and Namibia in the last qualifiers meant they had to start this journey from ICC African Sub regional Qualifiers which they won unbeaten. They were also the hosts for the ICC Africa regional Qualifiers which they also won comfortably defeating fellow qualifiers Namibia in the final. On the road to this World Cup, Zimbabwe hosted India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan twice, Ireland, Namibia and a tri-series involving New Zealand & neighbors South Africa. However the results were heavily skewed in their opponents favor. Zimbabwe also took part in a tri-series with hosts Pakistan & Sri Lanka last November where they managed to sneak a 67-run win against the Lankans.
Squad
Zimbabwe were given an unexpected shock once the details of their most experienced player Sean Williams' drug addiction details came out effectively ending his playing career. Under the capable leadership of fighter Sikandar Raza, this Zimbabwean team will be looking to make some heads turn. With Richard Ngarava, Blessing Mubarabani, returning Graeme Cremer and Wellington Masakadza they have all bases covered in the bowling department and brimmigng with experience. Add to that the all-round skills of captain Raza, Ryan Burl and tall pacer Brad Evans. Batting will be led by Brian Bennett who has been the highest scorer among the participating teams since the last World Cup and his opening partner Tadiwanashe Marumani. Brendan Taylor who has recently returned back to International cricket will don the keeping gloves.
Prediction
Group Stage
Zimbabwe will face Oman in their first game at Sinhalese Sports Club Colombo. Australia will play them next at the Premadasa after which they travel to Pallekele to face Ireland finally finishing against hosts Sri Lanka at Premadasa. Zimbabwe's Achilles heel lies in their batting and spin bowling as they are missing a huge wicket-taking weapon in the Lankan conditions. A win against Oman is likely and they have the capability to hunt the vulnerable hosts as well as Ireland. The Zimbabwe fans would love a Sikandar Raza special but their batting might just let them down in the Group stage.
Zimbabwe will play Netherlands and Oman in the Warm up Games at Colombo.
Ireland
One of the finest underdog performers at the 50-over World Cups, Ireland has rarely been able to replicate those performances at the T20 World Cups. A regular in this tournament since 2009, Ireland started their campaign with a win against Bangladesh entering the Super 8s but lost all other games comfortably. After being knocked out in the first round of all the following editions, Ireland finally managed to break the hoodoo in 2022 when they usurped both Scotland and West Indies to enter the Super 12s. A 5-run DLS win against neighbors and winners England followed but they returned back to their poor ways losing all three matches at the 2024 event including a 12-run loss against debutants Canada.
Ireland have the potential to cause an upset against the hosts Sri Lanka in Group B
Road to T20 WC 2026 (Results after the T20 WC 2024)
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Squad
Paul Stirling who became the highest capped T20I player in the world recently, will lead them for the second straight World Cup partnered by either Ross Adair or Tim Tector at the top. The elder Tector brother Harry, will play in the middle with the help of wicket-keeper Lorcan Tucker and the promising southpaw Ben Calitz. All-rounders Curtis Campher, Gareth Delaney and George Dockrell will shape their lower-order. Dockrell's left-arm spin will come in quite handy in the subcontinent. The bowling includes pacers Mark Adair who is among the top-ten T20I wicket-takers, Josh Little and Barry McCarthy but their trump card will be the left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys who has been in excellent form picking up 22 wickets at an average of 16.36 and economy of 6.54.
Prediction
Super 8
Ireland have a settled batting top-order and a well-rounded bowling attack perfect for Asian conditions. If they manage to eke out a win against Sri Lanka in their opening at the Premadasa, their path to the Super 8 might become easier. They play Australia next at the same ground followed by an easy clash with Oman at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Their final game will be against Zimbabwe who will make the European nation work hard for a win.
Ireland will play Pakistan in their only Warm up Game at Colombo.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka won the 2014 title giving a perfect farewell to their legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in T20I cricket. They were also the runner-up in 2009 and 2012 (when they hosted the first time) and made the semis in 2010. The results have only been downhill as they never made it to the knockouts since their title win. This run includes a loss to Namibia in 2022. Their last outing in 2024 saw them lose to South Africa and Bangladesh to crash out at the group stage. Sri Lanka are the co-hosts for this edition along with India which gives them a home advantage. However, the team is not in their best form especially in the batting department.
Sri Lanka was the last team to announce their 15-man squad among the 20 qualified teams
Road to T20 WC 2026 (Results after the T20 WC 2024)
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The side has recently undergone a transition with Dasun Shanaka taking over from Charith Asalanka in November 2025. Since the disappointing performance at the last World Cup, they have hosted India, West Indies, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Pakistan and England recently winning only one series 2-1 against Windies. A disappointing run since the Asia Cup includes a Tri-series final loss to Pakistan followed by results of 1-1 against Pakistan and a 3-0 defeat to England at home. The island nation is entering this World Cup in a vulnerable state and will be susceptible to an upset but the knowledge of local conditions might just work in their favor.
Squad
Dasun Shanaka will be leading them the third time in T20 World Cup previously captaining them in 2021 and 2022 after an abrupt decision to replace Charith Asalanka. Asalanka is still part of the squad but has struggled for form. Except for Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis none of the batters are in form and nervous changes in the batting department in recent games suggest there are no defined roles for Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara and Asalanka. Kamindu Mendis who has not part of the last two home series has suddenly been selected although his form itself is patchy while Janith Liyanage who strikes at 103.92 is playing the No.7 role. Sri Lanka do posses one of the best spin attacks in Hasaranga and Theekshana with Dunith Wellalage complimenting the duo. Pacers Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana are in great form although Eshan Malinga has an economy of 9.41 in the 8 games he has played so far.
Prediction
Group Stage
Sri Lanka face Ireland at the Premadasa in their first game. They play Oman and Australia next in Pallekele finally ending the Group Stage at the Premadasa against Zimbabwe. The Lankan side has a history of falling short against stronger teams but they rarely allow lower ranked teams to challenge them at bigger tournaments. This time however there is a possibility of either Ireland or Zimbabwe giving them a run for their money hence a Group Stage exit beckons for the co-hosts.
Sri Lanka will not play any Warm up match.
Australia
Even the Australian fans will agree about the might that Australia holds in the red-ball format and the 50-over World Cups has rarely been translated in the shortest format. They have won the T20 World Cup trophy once in 2021 but apart from being the 2010 runner-ups and semifinalists in 2007 and 2012 editions, the Kangaroos have not made the knockout rounds in five other World Cups including the one they hosted in 2022. The Aussies have underwhelmed in this format for years including a Super 8 loss against Afghanistan in 2024 which costed them a place in the Semis. Under Mitchell Marsh, this time the side looks a formidable force and anything below a place in the final would be considered a below-par performance.
Australia are favorites to advance to the knockout stage despite facing a number of recent injuries
Road to T20 WC 2026 (Results after the T20 WC 2024)
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Until their recent home series loss against India and away 3-0 loss to Pakistan, Australia had lost only 2 of the 17 completed T20I matches since the 2024 World Cup. They managed to secure a 1-1 result in England after annihilating Scotland 3-0 and then went on to win 3-0 at home against Pakistan, 5-0 in West Indies, 2-1 against South Africa and 2-0 against New Zealand at home. the only blemish to their perfect record came when they lost 2-1 to India at home thanks to another Player of the Series performance by Abhishek Sharma. 12 of the 15 players selected were part of the recently concluded BBL at various stages.Squad
Mitchell Marsh will be leading the side for the second consecutive World Cup. Travis Head will partner him at the top with both the openers striking in excess of 155 since the 2024 tournament. Tim David has been a revelation at No.4 striking at 206.8 and averaging 91 against spin but hasn't played after injuring his hamstring in the group stage of the BBL. Australia also have Cam Green and Matt Renshaw in the middle order to counter spin. Josh Inglis is the only designated wicket-keeper in the final 15. All-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis will bring all their IPL experience and the spin department will be led by Adam Zampa, Matthew Kuhnemann and Cooper Conolly, who was excellent with the ball for Perth Scorchers. There is a injury cloud over Josh Hazlewood who is expected to miss the early stages of the tournament while Nathan Ellis is another pacer returning from injury. Pat Cummins was ruled out at the last moment and replaced by Ben Dwarshius which means Xavier Bartlett is suddenly the leader of the pace attack. Sean Abbott was added as a cover for Hazlewood.
Prediction
Knockouts
Before the start of the World Cup, Australia was touted to reach the finals of this tournament but their recent injury struggles have put a doubt on how they perform going forward. They are expected to reach at least the Semi-finals without any blemish but outclassing India in the knockouts similar to the 2023 50-over World Cup final looks unlikely this time. They will play the whole Group Stage in Sri Lanka starting against Ireland and Zimbabwe in Premadasa. The next two games against Sri Lanka and Oman will be hosted at Pallekele. Their batters should not struggle against spin as they will look to attack from the onset but a lack of anchor in tough moments looms as the only weakness in this batting line-up. Will they play Renshaw in the XI to counter that?
Australia will play Netherlands in their only Warm up Game at Colombo.
References: Statsguru by ESPNCricinfo, Cricmetric
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