Nissanka’s century unbeaten batsman, Australia’s former cricket champion, needs other results to survive.
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Published February 16, 2026
Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka scored his first century in the T20 World Cup, leading his team to the Super 8s of the cricket tournament and nearly eliminating Australia.
On Monday, Nissanka hit 100 with five sixes and 10 fours in 52 balls and not out as Sri Lanka, chasing Australia’s 181, reached 184-2 with two overs to spare and won by eight wickets in Kandy.
“I think we’re in God’s lap right now,” Australian captain Mitchell Marsh said after the game.
“There’s a lot of emotion in the room right now,” he said of the 2021 champion. “I wasn’t at my best. I’m disappointed at the moment.”
Nissanka exchanged 66 balls with Kusal Mendis for the second wicket in a tight 97-run contest, with the wicketkeeper-batsman scoring his 50th run for the third time in the tournament.
Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan to score 200 runs in a T20 international tournament.
After Mendis’ dismissal, Nissanka and Pavan Rathnayake scored 76 off 34 balls to lead Sri Lanka to victory.
Nissanka played some great cover drives against the spinners and some elegant flicks against the quicks.
Rathnayake hit the winning bat just after Nissanka reached his century in 52 balls and was greeted with huge cheers at the Palekele International Stadium.
The packed crowd roared again as Ratnayake finished the match with a boundary to deep square.
Sri Lanka entered the World Cup with a crushing 3-0 loss to England, but rode on the momentum and won all three matches so far.
The Australian team has been plagued by injuries.
Captain Marsh returned after missing the first two games and got off to a strong start, scoring 54 points.
Marsh and Travis Head (56) scored 104 runs from 51 balls for the first wicket.
Australia are aiming for a total of over 200 but Sri Lanka’s slow bowlers limited Australia to 181 with leg-spinner Dushyant Hemantha taking 3-37.
Australia collapsed in search of quick runs, losing their last six wickets for 21 off 24 balls.
Super Eight: Sri Lanka through. Australia on the verge of defeat
Australia would be eliminated if Zimbabwe beat Ireland in Group B on Tuesday or Sri Lanka on Thursday.
If Zimbabwe lose both games, Australia will need to beat Oman by a large margin in Friday’s final match to break through on the net run rate.
Meanwhile, Australia could miss out on making it through the group stage for the first time since 2009 if unbeaten Zimbabwe defeat Ireland on Tuesday.
England also overcame a scare from Italy in Kolkata to advance to the Super Eights. England rallied from 105-5 to 202-7. Italy fell short with 178 points.
In New Delhi, Afghanistan finally recorded a win, shaking off consecutive losses and defeating the United Arab Emirates by five wickets. That helped South Africa stay in the tournament and secure a spot in the Super Eights.
