Delhi: In the 30th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lanka registered a spectacular victory by defeating Australia by 8 wickets and secured its place in the Super-8 stage. In this match played in Pallekele, the Sri Lankan team made its intentions clear by achieving the target of 182 runs in just 18 overs. Pathum Nissanka’s stormy century made the match completely one-sided.

Australia’s innings – explosive start from Marsh and Head

Australia made a good start by winning the toss and batting first. Captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head put the team in a strong position by making a partnership of 104 runs in 51 balls for the first wicket.

Marsh scored 54 runs in 27 balls, while Head played a quick inning of 56 runs in 29 balls. However, after this brilliant start, the Australian innings fell apart. The middle order completely failed and the team was reduced to 181 runs, losing wickets at regular intervals.

Sri Lanka’s brilliant bowling comeback

Sri Lankan bowlers changed the course of the match as the Marsh-Head partnership broke:

• Dushan Hemantha – 3 wickets
• Dushmantha Chameera – 2 wickets
• Mahesh Teekshana – 1 wicket
• Dunit Velazquez – 1 wicket
• Kamindu Mendis – 1 wicket

The lower order batsmen could not even cross the double figure, due to which Australia missed out on making a big score.

Chasing the target – Match-winning partnership between Nissanka and Mendis

Chasing the target of 182 runs, Sri Lanka had a bad start and Kusal Perera was out after scoring only 1 run. After this, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis took over the innings and put the team on the path to victory by making an important partnership for the second wicket.

Kusal Mendis played an important inning of 51 runs in 38 balls, which made the target easy. After his dismissal, Pawan Ratnayake provided excellent support to Nissanka by scoring 28 runs in 15 balls and took off the pressure.

Nissanka’s historic century

Pathum Nissanka played an explosive inning of 100 unbeaten runs in 52 balls. His innings included 10 fours and 5 sixes. This also became the highest individual score for Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup.

Brief Scorecard – Sri Lanka vs Australia

Australia: 181 all out

• Mitchell Marsh – 54
• Travis Head – 56

Sri Lanka: 182/2 (18 overs)

• Pathum Nissanka – 100*
• Kusal Mendis – 51

Result: Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets.

player of the match

Pathum Nissanka – Honored for leading the team to a spectacular victory by scoring an unbeaten 100 runs.

turning point of the match

• First turning point: Australia’s middle-order collapse after the collapse of the Marsh-Head partnership.
• Second defining moment: Pathum Nissanka’s stormy century, which completely turned the match in Sri Lanka’s favor.

Question-Answer

Question 1: Who won the Sri Lanka vs Australia match?
Answer: Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets.

Question 2: Which player had the most impact in the match?
Answer: Pathum Nissanka had a decisive impact on the match by scoring an unbeaten 100 runs.

Question 3: What was the biggest reason for Sri Lanka’s victory?
Answer: Nissanka’s century and a brilliant comeback by the bowlers.

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