By Alam Zeb Safi
KANDY: Sri Lanka produced one of their finest T20 World Cup chases as Pathum Nissanka struck a majestic unbeaten century to steer the hosts to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Australia in a Group B contest at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Monday.
The victory, their third straight one, put Sri Lanka in the Super Eight stage.
This is the second defeat for Aussies from three matches which have left them in a much precarious situation.
Chasing 182 for victory under lights at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka reached to 184 for two in just 18 overs, finishing the job with 12 balls to spare.
Nissanka’s unbeaten 100 off 52 balls was the centrepiece of the run chase, an innings that combined technical assurance with calculated aggression. The right-hander struck 10 fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 192.30, pacing his innings expertly after an early setback.
Australia had earlier posted 181 all out after being asked to bat, riding on a blistering opening partnership between captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head. The pair added 104 runs in just 8.3 overs, taking full advantage of the powerplay on a true batting surface.
Marsh hammered 54 from 27 deliveries, including eight fours and two sixes, while Head’s 56 off 29 balls featured seven boundaries and three sixes. Australia raced to 70 without loss in the first six overs and brought up their hundred inside nine, appearing set for a total well beyond 200.
Sri Lanka, however, clawed their way back through disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. Leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha broke the opening stand and went on to remove both Marsh and Head, finishing with figures of three for 37. Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera provided key breakthroughs in the middle overs, claiming two wickets.
Australia’s middle order struggled to maintain the early momentum. Josh Inglis contributed 27 while Glenn Maxwell added 22, but regular wickets derailed their acceleration at the death. From a dominant 104 without loss, Australia were eventually bowled out in the final over, losing their last five wickets for 21 runs.
Sri Lanka’s reply began cautiously after Kusal Perera fell cheaply in the second over. Nissanka, however, quickly settled, rotating the strike before launching into Australia’s attack.
He found a reliable partner in Kusal Mendis, who compiled a fluent 51 from 38 balls. The pair added 97 runs for the second wicket, steadying the innings and ensuring the required rate remained under control.
Nissanka brought up his half-century in 32 balls and shifted through the gears as the innings progressed. His century came off 52 deliveries, sealed with a towering six that brought the home crowd to its feet.
After Mendis departed with the score on 105, Pavan Rathnayake provided the finishing flourish, striking an unbeaten 28 from 15 balls. Sri Lanka crossed 150 in the 16th over and completed the chase without further loss, underscoring their dominance.
Australia’s bowling attack struggled for penetration, with Marcus Stoinis the only multiple wicket-taker, finishing with two for 46. The spinners were unable to contain Nissanka as Sri Lanka maintained a run rate above 10 an over in the chase.
Summarised score:
Australia – 181 all out in 20 overs
Mitchell Marsh 54 (27), Travis Head 56 (29), Josh Inglis 27 (22), Glenn Maxwell 22 (15); Dushan Hemantha 3/37, Dushmantha Chameera 2/36
Sri Lanka – 184/2 in 18 overs
Pathum Nissanka 100* (52), Kusal Mendis 51 (38), Pavan Rathnayake 28* (15), Marcus Stoinis 2/46
Result: Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets with 12 balls remaining
Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka
