Sri Lanka rode on Pathum Nissanka's masterful century to rock Australia by eight wickets and walk into T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage. This defeat has put Australia on the verge of elimination. If Zimbabwe ends up beating Ireland in their next match, Australia's campaign will come to a screeching halt. However, the otherwise result will give a glimmer of hope to the former champions, who first need to ensure their win against Oman in their next fixture.
Sri Lanka secure Super 8 berth after crushing Australia
Pathum Nissanka etched his name into the history books by slamming a magnificent yet unbeaten century, becoming the first player to reach the triple-figure mark in the T20 World Cup 2026. His masterful 52-ball 100 anchored a historic performance that propelled the Lankan Lions to their third consecutive victory in the tournament. With this win, Sri Lanka has officially secured their qualification for the Super Eight stage from Group B.
Pathum Nissanka tonks superlative century in Sri Lanka's win
The successful pursuit of 182 runs saw the Sri Lankan squad shatter multiple longstanding records. This feat now stands as the highest successful run chase ever achieved against Australia in T20 World Cup history, surpassing the previous record of 179 established by the West Indies in 2014. Nissanka’s composure under pressure ensured that the co-hosts not only maintained their momentum but did so by setting a new benchmark for dominance over the Australian bowling attack.
Furthermore, this win marked Sri Lanka's highest T20I chase at home. Interestingly, this performance equaled their previous home best of 182, which was also achieved at the Pallekele International Stadium against the same Australian opposition back in 2022.
Travis Head-Mitchell Marsh's fifties in vain
Earlier, Australia’s 30th match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Pallekele was a tale of two halves. After being invited to bat on a pacy surface, skipper Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head provided a masterclass in power-hitting, forging a massive 104-run opening stand in just 52 balls. Their aggression helped Australia plunder 70 runs in the Powerplay, the nation’s fourth-highest total in T20 World Cup history, leaving the Sri Lankan co-hosts reeling and briefly forcing Matheesha Pathirana off the field with an injury.
Despite the explosive start, the momentum shifted dramatically as the Sri Lankan spin quartet began to weave their web. Travis Head was the first to depart for a blistering 56, followed quickly by Cameron Green. Mitchell Marsh, who had reached his half-century in just 25 balls, soon joined them in the pavilion after being trapped LBW by Dushan Hemantha. The middle order, including the dangerous Tim David, struggled to adapt to the slowing surface as Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, and Kamindu Mendis applied a suffocating squeeze.
The pressure from the hosts turned the match on its head, with Australia stalling at 136/4 by the 14th over. While Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis attempted a counter-offensive, the highlight of the innings came in the field. After dropping an easy chance earlier, Pathum Nissanka redeemed himself with a spectacular diving "screamer" at backward point to dismiss Maxwell for 22. This moment of brilliance further energized a vocal home crowd, which cheered every dot ball as the Australian innings began to unravel. The final overs saw a complete capitulation by the visitors, as they lost their last eight wickets for a mere 72 runs. Sri Lanka’s clinical bowling display ensured that Australia was bowled out for 181 on the final delivery of the 20th over. Dushan Hemantha was the standout performer, finishing with career-best T20I figures of 3/37, leaving the match finely poised for a thrilling chase.
But Nissanka was in a hurry to wrap up the chase, as he did it with 12 balls to spare.