Pallekale: Padam Nisanga scored a century as Sri Lanka chased down a 182-run target to beat Australia by eight wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group B match at the Pallekale International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
The win would mark Sri Lanka’s third win and take them to the Super Eight stage in as many matches.
Chasing 182, the home side hit the winning runs with 2 wickets and 12 balls to spare, aided by a 97-run partnership that anchored the second wicket.
The co-hosts got off to a mixed start to the chase as left-arm opener Kusal Perera (one) was dismissed by Marcus Stoinis for just 8 runs in the second over.
Following an early setback, Mendis joined Nissan in the middle and the duo made a stunning recovery by adding 97 runs at a blistering pace.
The vital partnership was broken when Mendis was dismissed in the 13th over after scoring a crucial 51 off 38 balls with six sixes and a four.
Nissanga, on the other hand, continued the attack and eventually led Sri Lanka with an unbeaten century in the 18th over, scoring 100 off 52 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes.
He was supported by middle order Pawan Ratnayake who scored an unbeaten 28 off 15 balls with 6 fours.
Stoinis, returning expensive bowling figures of 2/46 from his four overs, was Australia’s lone wicket-taker.
Batting first, Australia were bowled out for 181 runs in 20 overs. Half-centuries from the opening pair of Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh saw Australia post 181 runs in 20 overs.
Marsh and Head put on 104 in nine overs, both scoring half-centuries to give Australia a flying start, but their middle order failed to relay the momentum and the 2021 champions had to settle for below 200.
Head top-scored for Australia with 56 off 29 balls, followed by Marsh’s 54 off 27 balls, with Josh Inglis (27) and Glenn Maxwell (22) the other two to score double figures.
Dushan Hemantha led Sri Lanka’s bowling with 3 for 37 in his four overs, followed by Dushmantha Sameera with two wickets and Mahesh Dikshana, Dunit Vellalake and Kamindu Mendis with one each.