Pathum Nissanka hits first 2026 T20 World Cup ton as Sri Lanka attain Tremendous Eights
Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh (L) and Travis Head (C) bump their fists throughout the 2026 ICC Males’s T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Pallekele Worldwide Cricket Stadium in Kandy on February 16, 2026. PHOTO: AFP
Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka scored the primary century of the 2026 T20 World Cup on Monday to place his facet into the Tremendous Eights and depart Australia on the point of elimination.
Nissanka scored 100 not out off 52 balls with 5 sixes and 10 fours as Sri Lanka, chasing Australia’s 181, reached 184-2 with two overs to spare in Kandy to win by eight wickets.
A victory by Zimbabwe over Eire in Group B on Tuesday, or in opposition to Sri Lanka on Thursday, will remove the 2021 champions.
If Zimbabwe lose each, Australia might want to beat Oman of their last match on Friday by a giant margin to get by way of on web run fee.
“We’re within the lap of the Gods now I feel,” stated Australia captain Mitchell Marsh.
“Lot of feelings within the room proper now. Have not been at our greatest. Disenchanted bunch in the meanwhile.
“We should not have misplaced to Zimbabwe with all due respect to them after which we have been beneath stress.
“We can be watching the Eire-Zimbabwe recreation. Nonetheless, issues are out of our management in the meanwhile.”
Nissanka was concerned in a 97-run stand off 66 balls with Kusal Mendis for the second wicket with the wicketkeeper-batsman posting his third fifty within the competitors.
Nissanka grew to become the primary Sri Lankan to attain two a whole lot in T20 internationals.
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After Mendis’s dismissal, Nissanka and Pavan Rathnayake placed on 76 off 34 balls to see Sri Lanka to victory.
Nissanka performed some wonderful cowl drives off the spinners and performed some elegant flicks in opposition to the quicks.
‘Considered one of my goals’
“Very joyful to attain 100 in a World Cup. It had been one in all my goals to be sincere,” Nissanka advised reporters.
Sri lanka’s Dushan Hemantha celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia’s Travis Head throughout the 2026 ICC Males’s T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Pallekele Worldwide Cricket Stadium in Kandy on February 16, 2026. PHOTO:AFP
“Our fielding was excellent immediately. We spoke about how being sharp on the sector is vital on a flat wicket like this.
“We knew they have been 20 runs brief. Right here the par rating is 200. The instruction was for me bat lengthy despite the fact that the run fee saved climbing.
“We knew dangerous balls would come and it was vital to money in after they got here alongside.”
Sri Lanka got here into the World Cup after a 3-0 drubbing by the hands of England, however have gained momentum and have received all three video games up to now.
“Glad to undergo to the Tremendous Eights,”stated Nissanka.
“We had put in a variety of exhausting work however we did not have a lot momentum main as much as the World Cup. Glad issues are falling in line.
“Nonetheless, it is a lengthy match and we have to preserve preventing.”
Australia’s marketing campaign has been affected by accidents, with tempo spearheads Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood out with damage.
Their captain Marsh, who missed the primary two video games, returned and gave them a rollicking begin by scoring 54.
Marsh and Travis Head (56) scored 104 runs off 51 balls for the primary wicket.
With Australia eyeing a complete in extra of 200, Sri Lanka’s sluggish bowlers saved them to 181 with leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha selecting up 3-37.
However in going for fast runs Australia collapsed, dropping their final six wickets for 21 in 24 balls.
