Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka achieved a remarkable feat by scoring the inaugural century of the 2026 T20 World Cup on Monday, propelling his team into the Super Eights and placing Australia in a precarious position.
Nissanka’s unbeaten 100 off 52 deliveries, including five sixes and 10 boundaries, led Sri Lanka to a convincing eight-wicket victory over Australia, as they successfully chased down the target of 181, finishing at 184-2 with two overs to spare in Kandy.
Australia now faces potential elimination scenarios, as a win by Zimbabwe over Ireland in Group B or against Sri Lanka in the upcoming match could oust the 2021 champions from the tournament. In case of two losses by Zimbabwe, Australia will need to defeat Oman by a significant margin in their final match to advance based on net run rate.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh acknowledged the challenging situation, stating, “We’re in the lap of the Gods now I think. Lot of emotions in the room right now. Haven’t been at our best. Disappointed bunch at the moment.”
Nissanka’s partnership with Kusal Mendis, contributing 97 runs off 66 balls for the second wicket, was crucial in Sri Lanka’s triumph. Following Mendis’s departure, Nissanka collaborated with Pavan Rathnayake to add 76 runs off 34 deliveries, steering Sri Lanka to victory with style and finesse in shot selection.
With this century, Nissanka etched his name in history as the first Sri Lankan to register two centuries in T20 internationals, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess and composure under pressure.
Despite coming off a disheartening 3-0 series loss to England, Sri Lanka has displayed a remarkable turnaround in form, securing victories in all three matches of the World Cup. In contrast, Australia’s campaign has been marred by injuries, with Captain Marsh making a strong comeback by scoring 54 runs alongside Travis Head, who contributed 56 runs in a blistering 104-run opening stand.
Australia’s hopes of a formidable total were curtailed by Sri Lanka’s spin bowlers, notably leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha, who claimed 3-37, restricting Australia to 181 runs. The Australian innings unraveled as they sought quick runs, culminating in a collapse where they lost six wickets for a mere 21 runs in 24 deliveries.
