Pathum Nissanka stole the spotlight with a sensational 52-ball century as Sri Lanka defeated Australia by eight wickets, securing their place in the Super Eights of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Set a challenging target of 182, Sri Lanka chased it down in 18 overs, thanks to Nissanka’s unbeaten 100 and Kusal Mendis’s 38-ball 51. This remarkable performance underlined Nissanka’s role as a match-winner and demonstrated Sri Lanka’s strength in the tournament.
Pathum Nissanka Shines in T20 World Cup Chase
Pathum Nissanka turned a tricky chase into a dominant performance, smashing 10 fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 100. Alongside Kusal Mendis, who contributed a 38-ball 51, Sri Lanka chased Australia’s target of 182 with ease, finishing the game in 18 overs with eight wickets in hand. Pavan Rathnayake added a late flourish with 28 not out off 15 balls, ensuring a comfortable victory.
Nissanka’s performance highlighted his ability to take control of high-pressure chases and propelled Sri Lanka into the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup. Australia’s hopes of qualifying now hinge on a massive win against Oman and favorable results from other group fixtures.
Australia’s Explosive Start Overshadowed by Sri Lanka’s Bowling
Returning from injury, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head provided Australia with a blistering start. Marsh scored 54 off 27 balls, and Head followed with 56 from 29, putting on a 104-run opening stand in under nine overs. This gave Australia a strong foundation for a total exceeding 180 runs.
However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha (3/37), tightened the game in the back 10 overs. Australia’s last four wickets fell for only six runs, demonstrating Sri Lanka’s ability to bounce back under pressure.
Sri Lanka’s Chase Dominated by Nissanka and Mendis
Sri Lanka faced an early setback when Kusal Perera was dismissed cheaply by Marcus Stoinis. Yet, the partnership between Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis steadied the innings, adding 97 runs for the second wicket. With nine wickets in hand and 89 runs required from 60 balls at the halfway stage, Sri Lanka maintained momentum and control.
Mendis’s eventual dismissal by Stoinis briefly threatened Australia’s hopes, but Nissanka remained unstoppable. His aggressive strokeplay ensured that Sri Lanka overhauled the target with more than two overs to spare.
Turning Points: Sri Lanka’s Strategic Bowling
Sri Lanka initially struggled with Australia’s power-hitting. Marsh and Head launched a 16-run first over off Dushmantha Chameera, and Matheesha Pathirana’s early hamstring injury forced captain Dasun Shanaka to manage the attack. Despite this, the introduction of leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha helped stem the flow of runs.
From a strong position of 104/0, Australia lost momentum, slipping to 130/4 and eventually all out for 181. Glenn Maxwell and other middle-order players could not recover the innings. Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling, combined with fielding brilliance from Nissanka, turned the game in their favor.
Written by 8JJ.com News Desk | February 17, 2026
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