KEY POINTS
- Kusal Mendis provided perfect support with 51 off 38.
- Sri Lanka chased down 182 target in just 18 overs, storming into Super Eight.
- Defeats left Australia on brink of elimination from T20 World Cup.
PALLEKELE: Pathum Nissanka played the innings of his life, smashing a breathtaking unbeaten 100 off just 52 balls to guide Sri Lanka to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Australia in their Group B T20 World Cup clash at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Chasing a target of 182, the hosts reached 184 for 2 in 18 overs, storming into the Super Eight stage and leaving the 2021 champions stunned and struggling to keep their campaign alive.
Nissanka announces arrival in style
The 27-year-old opener produced a masterclass in controlled aggression, anchoring the chase with a flawless knock that featured 10 boundaries and five towering sixes.
His century, the first by a Sri Lankan batter against Australia in T20Is, came off just 51 balls and was greeted by a rapturous standing ovation from the home crowd.
Nissanka’s innings was a blend of classical strokeplay and modern-day power-hitting.
He drove elegantly through the covers, pulled with authority, and cleared the boundary at will as the Australian bowlers ran out of answers.
There was no stopping Pathum Nissanka today in the chase 🔥
His brilliant unbeaten 100 from 52 balls wins him the @aramco POTM 🏅 pic.twitter.com/8Xm67Spc6N
— ICC (@ICC) February 16, 2026
Early jitter before Mendis partnership
Sri Lanka’s chase began on a nervous note when Kusal Perera fell for just 1 in the second over, edging Marcus Stoinis to Nathan Ellis.
The early wicket brought Kusal Mendis to the crease, and what followed was a match-defining partnership.
Mendis played the perfect supporting role, scoring 51 off 38 balls with six fours and a six.
The pair added 97 runs for the second wicket, calmly rebuilding the innings and then accelerating at the perfect time.
By the time Mendis fell in the 13th over, caught by Cooper Connolly off Stoinis, Sri Lanka needed just 77 runs from 48 balls with eight wickets in hand.
Sri Lanka ace the chase in style to book their place in Super 8 of #T20WorldCup 2026 🔥
📝: https://t.co/vAzvkwkRwo pic.twitter.com/pkXdOPvfyA
— ICC (@ICC) February 16, 2026
Rathnayake finishes in style
Pavan Rathnayake walked in and provided the perfect finishing touch, remaining unbeaten on 28 off just 15 balls.
His knock included six boundaries as he and Nissanka added 79 runs in just over five overs to seal the victory with 12 balls to spare.
The pair brought up the victory in style, with Nissanka cutting Adam Zampa to the boundary to reach his century and seal the win in one glorious moment.
Australia’s attack falls flat
Australia’s much-vaunted bowling attack was taken apart with brutal efficiency. Marcus Stoinis was the only successful bowler, claiming 2 for 46, but he too went for nearly 12 runs per over.
Adam Zampa, Australia’s premier spinner, bowled his four overs for 41 runs without success.
Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, and Cooper Connolly all proved expensive as the Sri Lankan batters dominated from start to finish.
What the win means
The victory propels Sri Lanka to the top of Group B with six points from three matches, virtually sealing their place in the Super Eight stage.
For Australia, the defeat leaves them on the brink of elimination.
The 2021 champions now have just two points from three games and must rely on other results to progress.
