Pallekale: Sri Lanka’s veteran top-order batsman Kusal Mendis made it to the elusive list with a half-century against Australia in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 match at the Pallekale International Cricket Stadium.
It marked Mendis’ third consecutive half-century at the mega event, having achieved the milestone in Sri Lanka’s first two matches of the 2026 T20 World Cup against Ireland and Oman respectively.
Mendis opened his campaign with an unbeaten 56 off 43 balls against Ireland and equaled his 61 off 45 balls.
As a result, Mendis became the fifth player in Men’s T20 World Cup history to score three consecutive fifties, joining the likes of compatriot Mahela Jayawardene, India’s Virat Kohli and Pakistan’s Babar Azam.
Batsmen to score three consecutive fifties in Men’s T20 World Cup
- Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 2010
- Virat Kohli (India) – 2016-2021
- Babar Assam (Pakistan) – 2021
- KL Rahul (India) – 2021
- Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka) – 2026
Mendis was instrumental in guiding Sri Lanka to record their highest successful T20I run chase on home soil with a blistering half-century of 51 off 38 balls with 6 fours and a six.
He shared a 97-run partnership for the second wicket with opener Pathum Nisanga, who led Sri Lanka with an unbeaten century in 18 overs, scoring 100 runs off 52 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes.
The win marks Sri Lanka’s third straight and takes them into the Super Eight stage with one match to spare.