Australia vs Ireland, 14th Match, Group B, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. This high-stakes Group B clash takes place on February 11, 2026, at 3:00 PM IST (2:30 PM local time in Colombo) at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Australia kick off their T20 World Cup campaign here after missing the opening rounds due to injuries, making a strong start vital to top Group B and secure Super 8s qualification. Ireland, coming off a heartbreaking 20-run loss to Sri Lanka where they dropped seven catches and collapsed from 105/2, desperately need points to stay alive in the group. A win for the Aussies builds momentum despite their recent 3-0 whitewash in Pakistan, while Ireland aims to pull off another upset against a giant, as they’ve threatened before.
Australia enter on a rough patch, losing their last five completed games including the Pakistan series, but many stars skipped it due to BBL duties or injuries to Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood—Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa are back from niggles. Ireland’s form reads LWWLW, boosted by recent wins but dented by the Sri Lanka choke; they’ve shown fight in Colombo before, nearly chasing 164. Momentum tilts Aussie despite form, with fresher legs against an Ireland side under pressure.
AUS vs IRE Match Details
- Match: Australia vs Ireland 14th Match
- Teams: AUS vs IRE
- Date: 11 Feb 2026
- Time: 2:30 PM 9:30 AM GMT / 3:00 PM LOCAL
- Venue: R.Premadasa Stadium, 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 13th T20 World Cup match will be live on Star Sports.
Live Score Info:
ICC T20 World Cup 2026: All matches on ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Probable XIs
AUS Probable XI: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (capt), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (wk), Matt Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett/Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Matt Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa.
IRE Probable XI: Paul Stirling (capt), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Curtis Campher, Ben Calitz, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys.
Head-to-Head Record
Australia dominate with 2 wins from 2 T20I meetings—no ties or Ireland victories—outscoring them comfortably. Last five “meetings” are limited, but the 2022 Gabba clash saw AUS win by 42 runs (179/5 beat 137), and 2012 here at Premadasa by 7 wickets (125/3 chased 123/7). Ireland’s never beaten Australia in six completed LOIs overall, with Paul Stirling in all defeats—a mental hurdle.
Australia Analysis
Strengths lie in explosive top-order firepower and spin variety suited to Premadasa, with Mitchell Marsh’s 218 runs at 154 SR in recent T20Is and all-round depth from Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis (112 runs at 124 SR). Weaknesses include bowling inexperience without Cummins/Hazlewood/Starc and Maxwell’s lean patch (low scores past 3 in BBL). Key players: Travis Head for aggressive starts, Stoinis for finishing/breakthroughs, Zampa (spin threat) and Ellis (death bowling). Recent: Beat Scotland/West Indies earlier but Pakistan slump.
Ireland Analysis
Ireland’s strength is gritty middle-order resilience and spin control from Dockrell/Delany, who troubled Sri Lanka; pacers Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy add bite. Weaknesses: Top-order inconsistency (Stirling’s recent 6 off 13) and fielding lapses that cost dearly last game. Key players: Paul Stirling (tone-setter), Harry Tector (world-class middle-order), Matthew Humphreys (spin control), Mark Adair (pace). Recent: Narrow loss to SL after strong chases, but catching woes persist.
Will Maxwell rediscover World Cup magic at 37, or will Ireland’s spinners expose Australia’s middle-order spin woes? Tim David’s hamstring absence shortens the tail, forcing Renshaw in—can Ireland’s fielding hold? Australia’s least experienced attack in years vs Ireland’s upset potential in spin-friendly Colombo. Toss winner likely bats first to set 170+ on a slowing track.
Australia’s superior squad depth, batting firepower, and spin options give them the edge on this pitch, despite form dips—expect a comfortable 20-30 run win batting first or chasing with overs spare. Ireland could push if Stirling fires and Aussies err early, but history and class favor the Baggy Greens. (Word count: 812)