17th Feb 2026: Pathum Nissanka delivered one of the finest knocks of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, smashing an unbeaten 100 off just 52 balls to guide Sri Lanka to a thrilling victory over Australia in Pallekele on Monday. The emphatic win sealed Sri Lanka’s place in the Super 8 stage.
Chasing a challenging 182, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera early, dismissed for just one in the second over by Marcus Stoinis. But that early setback barely disrupted the hosts’ momentum. Nissanka took control of the innings, combining fluency with fearless strokeplay, while Kusal Mendis provided solid support at No. 3.
The duo added 97 runs for the second wicket, keeping the scoreboard ticking and frustrating the Australian bowlers. Mendis brought up a well-crafted half-century before falling for 51, once again to Stoinis.
By then, however, the platform had been firmly laid.
Nissanka shifted gears further alongside Pavan Rathnayake, whose brisk 28 off 15 balls added urgency to the chase. The pair put on a rapid 79-run stand in just 34 deliveries, steering Sri Lanka home with two overs to spare and completing a perfect three-from-three run in the group stage.
Nissanka’s century was historic. He became only the second Sri Lankan batter after Mahela Jayawardene to score a T20 World Cup hundred. It was also Sri Lanka’s second-fastest T20I century, behind Kusal Perera’s 44-ball effort against New Zealand last year. Notably, it was the first-ever century scored against Australia in T20 World Cup history.
The 182 chase now stands as Sri Lanka’s highest successful run chase in T20 World Cups — and the highest successful chase against Australia in the tournament’s history.
Earlier in the evening, Sri Lanka had won the toss and opted to field. Australia made a flying start, with Mitchell Marsh returning from injury to join Travis Head in a commanding powerplay assault. The pair raced to 70 without loss in six overs — Australia’s strongest powerplay showing of the tournament.
Head struck a fluent 56, peppering the boundary with seven fours and three sixes, while Marsh added 54. At 105/1 after nine overs, Australia looked set for a massive total.
But Sri Lanka’s spinners turned the game dramatically.
Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha broke the momentum by dismissing both Head and Marsh. Dunith Wellalage outfoxed Cameron Green with a clever stumping, and Kamindu Mendis removed the dangerous Tim David. Australia’s middle order faltered once again, managing just 31 runs in the next five overs as the innings unraveled.
Despite a brief reprieve for Glenn Maxwell on 18, Australia could not regain control. Pathum Nissanka also produced a stunning leaping catch to dismiss Maxwell, further tilting the contest in Sri Lanka’s favour.
Australia were eventually bowled out for 181 in their 20 overs, with Hemantha leading the charge with figures of 3/37, while Dushmantha Chameera chipped in with 2/36.
With this win, Sri Lanka march confidently into the Super 8 stage. Australia’s qualification hopes now hang in the balance, dependent on other results.
