Highlights AUS vs SL: Pallekele – Pathum Nissanka delivered a match-winning century as Sri Lanka crushed Australia by 8 wickets at the Pallekele International Stadium, leaving the Aussies on the verge of elimination from the 2026 T20 World Cup.
AUS vs SL Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 181 all out | 20.0 | Lost by 8 wickets |
| Sri Lanka | 184/2 | 18.0 | Won with 12 balls remaining |
Star Performers: Pathum Nissanka (100* off 52), Travis Head (56 off 29)
Australia’s Flying Start Falls Short
After being sent in to bat, Australia looked unstoppable early on. Captain Mitchell Marsh (54) and explosive opener Travis Head (56) smashed the Sri Lankan attack to all corners, racing to 104 without loss in just 9 overs. The Powerplay alone yielded 70 runs, suggesting a massive total was brewing.
But cricket is a game of momentum shifts. Enter Dushan Hemantha, whose leg-spin magic changed everything. The crafty spinner claimed 3 wickets for 37 runs, triggering a middle-order collapse. Glenn Maxwell managed only 22, while Tim David contributed a measly 6. Poor running between wickets resulted in multiple run-outs, and Maheesh Theekshana’s brilliant final over restricted Australia to 181—well below expectations.
Nissanka’s Masterclass Seals Victory
Chasing 182, Sri Lanka stumbled early when Kusal Perera departed for just 1 run. What followed was pure batting brilliance. Nissanka joined forces with Kusal Mendis (51) to construct a match-defining 97-run partnership that completely demoralized the Australian bowlers.
Despite a worrying injury scare from a Nathan Ellis yorker, Nissanka returned to unleash carnage on Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa. His innings was a blend of power and placement—10 boundaries and 5 towering sixes left the Australian attack clueless.
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The Highlights AUS vs SL match reached its crescendo when Nissanka brought up his historic century with just 2 runs needed for victory. He became the first batsman to score a hundred in the 2026 T20 World Cup, finishing unbeaten on 100 off 52 deliveries.
Sri Lanka now advances confidently into the Super 8s, while Australia faces must-win pressure in their remaining fixtures.
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