Australia vs Zimbabwe, 19th Match, Group B, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. This key group stage clash takes place today, February 13, 2026, at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a day game starting at 11:00 AM local time (3:30 PM IST).
Both teams head into this encounter with one win apiece from their openers, sitting atop Group B standings on 2 points each—Australia with a superior net run rate of +3.350 after thrashing Ireland, and Zimbabwe at +2.702 following their demolition of Oman. A victory here would give the winner a strong edge toward Super Eights qualification in this competitive group that also features Sri Lanka. Toss is at 9:00 AM local, under humid, overcast skies with temperatures around 30°C, 25% rain chance, and 99% cloud cover that could bring interruptions later.
R. Premadasa Stadium’s pitch has shown its typical slow, spin-friendly nature early in the tournament, assisting turn after the powerplay while offering early help to pacers—average first innings score hovers around 142 in T20Is, with chasers winning 35 of 60 games historically. Expect grippy conditions favoring spinners like Adam Zampa or Wellington Masakadza, though recent outings saw some early seam movement. Weather looks playable but dicey: humid with east winds at 13 km/h, potential for light showers post-lunch, though no major washout threat per forecasts.
For Australia, still reeling from captain Mitchell Marsh’s groin injury that sidelined him for the opener (internal testicular bleeding requiring rest), this is about building momentum despite a depleted squad—Travis Head steps up as skipper after a clinical Ireland win where Nathan Ellis starred on return.
AUS vs ZIM Match Details
- Match: AUS vs ZIM, 19th Match
- Teams: AUS vs ZIM
- Date: 13 Feb 2026
- Time: 10:30 AM 5:30 AM GMT / 11:00 AM LOCAL
- Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo
T20 World 2026 Live Streaming Info
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on February 7, 2026, and wraps up with the final on March 8, 2026. Hosted across India and Sri Lanka with 20 teams, it spans about a month—group stages from early February, Super 8s mid-month, semis late February/early March, and the final in Colombo or Mumbai.
- In India, tune into Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2) or stream on Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema.
- Pakistan viewers can watch on PTV Sports, A Sports, or Ten Sports, with streaming available on Tapmad and Tamasha.
- For Sri Lanka, options include SLRC, Channel Eye, and Siyatha TV on TV, plus Sri Lanka Cricket YouTube and Dialog ViU online.
- UK fans have Sky Sports Cricket, TNT Sports 1, and talkSPORT on television, alongside Sky Go, Discovery+, and NOW TV for streaming.
- In South Africa, SuperSport covers it on TV and via their app.
- Australia might check Fox Sports for TV and Kayo Sports for live streams.
- USA and Canada: Willow TV on TV, Sling TV or Willow HD app for streaming.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ on TV and Sky Go app.
- Bangladesh: Gazi TV (GTV) and Rabith BD app.
- Afghanistan: RTA Sport and Ariana TV.
Rest of the world: ICC.tv for free streaming where no local rights holder exists. Subscriptions often apply, and VPNs can assist with geo-blocks where permitted.
How to Watch the Match for Free:
Catch every boundary without paying via these official free options, perfect for fans in Pakistan and beyond.
Pakistan: PTV Sports broadcasts all matches live for free on TV via terrestrial, cable, and satellite—no subscription needed.
Live Streaming Info:
The 19th T20 World Cup match will be live on Willow Cricket.
Live Score Info:
ICC T20 World Cup 2026: All matches on these websites, ESPN and Cricbuzz, have live scores.
Probable XIs
AUS Probable XI: Travis Head (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa.
ZIM Probable XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
Head-to-Head Record
Australia dominate Zimbabwe in T20Is with 2 wins from 3 meetings, though Zimbabwe pulled off a famous 5-wicket chase in their sole T20 World Cup encounter back in 2007 at Newlands. No ties or no results. Last five? They’ve only played three: Aus won by 100 runs (2018, Harare), 5 wickets (2018), but Zim won by 5 wickets (2007). Aus boasts bigger chases and defenses historically.
Australia Team Analysis
Australia’s depth shone against Ireland despite injuries—clinical batting and Ellis’s spearheading a bowling revival, but Marsh’s absence exposes leadership gaps and middle-order fragility without his allround punch. Strengths: Explosive top order, world-class spin in Zampa/Kuhnemann, pace variety with Ellis/Bartlett; Maxwell/Stoinis provide fireworks. Weaknesses: Inexperienced attack sans Starc/Hazlewood, injury-hit balance. Key players: Head (capt, aggressive opener), Maxwell (match-winner), Ellis (form spearhead). Recent: 1-0 in tournament, strong momentum.
Zimbabwe Team Analysis
Zimbabwe’s Oman rout highlighted their bustling pace battery (Ngarava/Muzarabani) and Brian Bennett’s powerplay aggression (48 off 36), with Raza’s experience anchoring. Strengths: Confident seamers on seaming tracks, youthful batting flair (Bennett/Marumani), Raza’s nous. Weaknesses: Lacking elite spin to exploit Premadasa turn, historical struggles vs top sides, batting depth beyond top four. Key players: Bennett (prodigy), Raza (c, allround), Muzarabani (pace threat). Recent: 1-0, 2/5 in last five T20Is—upbeat return to WC action.
Key Talking Points
Will Australia’s “cursed” prep—Marsh out, off-field noise—derail them, or does their bench (Head, Maxwell) overwhelm Zim’s giant-killers? Bennett vs inexperienced Aus attack; Premadasa’s spin test for Zim’s seam-heavy XI; rare AUS-ZIM billing after 2022 ODIs, hinting future series. Momentum favors both post-wins, but Aus depth tips scales.
Australia’s superior squad depth, spin options tailored to Premadasa, and historical edge make them clear favorites, even depleted—they should chase down a par total comfortably for a 6-wicket win, advancing Super Eights push. Zimbabwe might compete early but lack firepower to upset. (Word count: 812)