Pathum Nissanka smashed a record-breaking century against Australia in the group stage, surpassing Umar Akmal’s previous highest score against the same opposition in T20 World Cup history.
The innings marked the first time a Sri Lankan had scored a century against Australia in T20 World Cup history, breaking Akmal’s 94-run record from 2014 and setting a new benchmark.
Nissanka became the second Sri Lankan to score a hundred at a men’s T20 World Cup, following Mahela Jayawardene, who achieved the milestone against Zimbabwe during the 2010 edition of the tournament.
Australia raced to 70 without loss in the powerplay, with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh attacking aggressively, as Head reached fifty in just 27 balls while punishing Sri Lanka’s bowler Dushan Hemantha.
Sri Lanka triggered a dramatic turnaround when Hemantha dismissed Head for 56, as wickets tumbled in quick succession and the momentum of the game shifted sharply in favor of the hosts.
Hemantha finished with figures of 4-0-37-3, while Dushmantha Chameera removed key batters including Josh Inglis, as Australia lost 10 wickets for 77 runs during the final seventy balls of their innings.
In response, Sri Lanka lost opening batter Kusal Perera early to Marcus Stoinis, but star opener Pathum Nissanka counterattacked decisively against Australian bowlers during the crucial powerplay overs.
Nissanka struck three boundaries in a single over off Xavier Bartlett, racing to 38 from 20 balls as Sri Lanka reached 61 for one after completing the first six overs.
Alongside Kusal Mendis, Nissanka maintained a strong scoring rate, and both batters reached their half-centuries in the same over, with Mendis recording his third consecutive World Cup fifty in the process.
With 13 runs required from the final three overs, Nissanka inched closer to his century, finishing unbeaten after reaching three figures, the first hundred scored in the ongoing edition of the tournament.
Sri Lanka completed the chase with two overs to spare, sealing a memorable victory and confirming their qualification for the Super Eights while showcasing Nissanka’s record-breaking talent and resilience under pressure.
