Pathum Nissanka demolished Australia in 52 ballsImage Credit source: Getty Images

Actually, in any team game, victory is achieved only by the strong performance of all the players together. But sometimes it happens when a player single-handedly changes the whole story with a miraculous performance. This has been happening in cricket for a long time and this trend is continuing in the T20 World Cup 2026 also. This time, the hero who single-handedly changed the course of the match is the player who could have proved to be a villain in this match. The name is Pathum Nissanka, who scored the first century of this World Cup and led Sri Lanka to a tremendous victory over Australia.

When on the evening of 16 February on the grounds of Pallekele Australia and Sri Lanka When the players landed, hardly anyone had any idea of ​​the coming storm. This storm started with the stormy batting of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, who took Australia to 104 runs in just 8.3 overs. But Australia's wickets fell in the middle, after which Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell took over the innings.

Correcting the mistake changed the course of the match

This was the first time in this match in which Nissanka entered. In the span of just a few balls, he transformed from a potential villain to a hero. It started on the second ball of the 16th over, when Maxwell played a high shot but Nissanka could not take an easy catch. Australia seemed to be moving towards a big score from here and Nissanka could have been responsible for that. But it is said that if you have courage and courage then fate gives you a chance to get up after falling.

Nissanka also got a similar opportunity and did not have to wait long for it. Maxwell hit a reverse sweep shot on the very first ball of the 17th over. Once again the ball was in the air but this time the ball was moving rapidly towards the boundary. But in the blink of an eye, Nissanka dived at the backward point and took such a catch that left everyone in tears.

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Pathum Nissanka defies gravity with an absolute screamer to dismiss Maxwell! 🤯

ICC Mens #T20WorldCup | #SLvAUS | LIVE NOW ➡️https://t.co/J53l5oud0B pic.twitter.com/n7nMhQvtiZ

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 16, 2026

Maxwell returned to the pavilion and from here within the next 21 runs, Australia lost the remaining 5 wickets. This catch had definitely changed the course of the match because if Nissanka had failed here, Australia could have taken its score close to or beyond 200 runs, which could have proved difficult for Sri Lanka.

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Scored the first century of the World Cup again

After this, it was his turn to show wonders with the bat and on the 8th ball of the innings, Nissanka saw his opening partner returning to the pavilion. But this did not affect him and the 27 year old batsman targeted each Australian bowler and hit fours and sixes. This batsman first added 97 runs with Kusal Mendis and then made an unbeaten partnership of 79 runs with Pawan Ratnayake to take the team to the target. During this, Nissanka completed his century in 52 balls and returned unbeaten after playing a memorable inning of 100 runs (10 fours, 5 sixes).

PATHUM NISSANKA, remember the name! 💯🙌

✅ First-ever 💯 of this World Cup ✅ First-ever 💯 against AUS in ICC Men's T20 WC

Up next 👉 ICC Mens #T20WorldCup | #NZvCAN | TUE, 17 FEB, 10:30 AM pic.twitter.com/gR7ZeqMNF3

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 16, 2026

Sometimes mother had to sell flowers

Pathum Nissanka, born in Galle, Sri Lanka, has been a part of the Sri Lankan team for the last 5 years. He was born in a very poor family, where his father worked as a groundsman. To run the household, his mother had to earn by selling flowers outside the temple. In these 5 years, Nissanka has improved the family's condition by cementing his place in the Sri Lankan team and has now become a thorn in the side for Australia in the T20 World Cup.