Nissanka century powers Sri Lanka past Australia at T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka Crushes Australia With Nissanka Century, Securing Super 8 Berth

Pathum Nissanka struck the first century of the 2026 T20 World Cup on Monday, powering Sri Lanka to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Australia in Pallekele and booking the co-hosts a place in the Super Eight stage while leaving the 2021 champions on the verge of elimination.indiatoday

Chasing 182, Nissanka blazed an unbeaten 100 from just 52 balls, featuring 10 fours and five sixes, as Sri Lanka reached their target with 12 balls to spare. The victory marked Sri Lanka’s third consecutive win in Group B and their first over Australia in nearly three years and eight months.indiatoday

Australia’s Collapse Undoes Fast Start

The match initially looked set to favor Australia after captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head produced a blistering opening partnership of 104 runs in just 8.3 overs. Head reached his fifty from 27 balls before departing for 56, while Marsh, playing his first match of the tournament after recovering from a groin injury, contributed 54 off 27 deliveries.tapmad

However, Australia’s innings unraveled spectacularly. From a commanding position of 108 for no loss, they collapsed to 181 all out, losing their final six wickets for just 21 runs and their last four for six runs in the final two overs. Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha, a late inclusion in Sri Lanka’s squad following Wanindu Hasaranga’s injury, claimed figures of 3-37 to trigger the collapse.cricket

Nissanka Dominates the Chase

Sri Lanka’s response was clinical. Nissanka and Kusal Mendis combined for a second-wicket partnership that took the game away from Australia, with Mendis contributing a steady 51 from 38 balls. The opener shifted gears after the second drinks break, hammering 20 runs off Marcus Stoinis in a single over that sent the home crowd into raptures.bbc

On reaching his century, Nissanka celebrated with a ‘shush’ gesture, a moment that drew cheers from the Pallekele crowd and former Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya watching from the stands. Pavan Rathnayake finished the match with a boundary off Adam Zampa, completing a thumping victory.cricket

Australia’s Fate Now Out of Their Hands

The loss leaves Australia third in Group B with just two points from three matches, their qualification now dependent on other results. The Australians must beat Oman on February 20 and hope Zimbabwe loses both remaining matches against Ireland and Sri Lanka. If Zimbabwe wins either game, Australia’s campaign is over.ndtv

For a team that lifted the trophy in 2021, the prospect of a group-stage exit represents a dramatic fall. With key bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc all absent through injury, Australia’s bowling attack offered little resistance to Nissanka’s assault.khelnow