The fourth match of the T10 World Cup 2026 delivered the first nail-biting thriller of the tournament as Australia edged past Sri Lanka by just 2 runs in a pulsating Group B clash at The Gabba. In a contest that swung dramatically until the final delivery, Australia’s all-round resilience proved decisive in one of the closest finishes seen so far.
Batting first, Australia found themselves under pressure early, losing wickets at regular intervals against Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack. Despite quick starts from David Warner and Matt Renshaw, the Australian top order failed to capitalize, and the innings threatened to stall midway.
At a crucial juncture, Cameron Green played a match-defining knock, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 32 off 16 balls. His calm presence, combined with late contributions from Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis, lifted Australia to a competitive 102 for 8 in 10 overs.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers were impressive throughout the innings. Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera applied constant pressure, while tight fielding and two run-outs prevented Australia from breaking free during the middle overs.
Chasing 103 for victory, Sri Lanka began cautiously before Dinesh Chandimal took control of the chase. Chandimal played a superb innings, scoring 40 off 21 balls, keeping Sri Lanka firmly in the hunt despite wickets falling around him. However, timely strikes from Mitch Marsh and Marcus Stoinis tilted the momentum back in Australia’s favor.
The match reached its climax in the final overs as Sri Lanka needed runs at a manageable rate, but Cameron Green once again stepped up, delivering a crucial spell and finishing with 3 wickets, including two vital dismissals in the death overs. Despite late hitting from the lower order, Sri Lanka fell agonizingly short, finishing on 100 for 9.
Green’s outstanding all-round performance — 32 with the bat and 3 wickets with the ball* — earned him the Player of the Match award. The victory gives Australia a vital early boost in Group B, while Sri Lanka, despite the narrow loss, will draw confidence from their spirited performance.
This dramatic encounter further underlined the unpredictability of the T10 format, setting the stage for more high-pressure finishes as the World Cup 2026 gathers momentum.