Nissanka century sees Sri Lanka through & leaves Australia on brink

Australia's hopes of reaching the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup are all but over after Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka hits a brilliant unbeaten 100 to condemn them to an eight-wicket defeat in Pallekele.

Sri Lanka’s 8-wicket win over Australia leaves 2021 champions at brink of exit from the tournament

Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka scored the first century of the 2026 T20 World Cup on Monday to put his side into the Super Eights and leave Australia on the brink of elimination. Nissanka scored 100 not out off 52 balls with five 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 Ireland in Group B on Tuesday, or against Sri Lanka on Thursday, would eliminate the 2021 champions. If Zimbabwe lose both, Australia will need to beat Oman in their final match on Friday by a big margin to get through on net run rate. Nissanka was involved in a 97-run stand off 66 balls with Kusal Mendis for the second wicket with the wicketkeeper-batsman posting his third fifty in the competition. Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan to score two hundreds in T20 internationals. After Mendis’s dismissal, Nissanka and Pavan Rathnayake put on 76 off 34 balls to see Sri Lanka to victory. Nissanka played some glorious cover drives off the spinners and played some elegant flicks against the quicks. Sri Lanka came into the World Cup after a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of England, but have gained momentum and have won all three games so far. Australia’s campaign has been plagued by injuries. Their captain, Mitchell Marsh, who missed the first two games, returned and gave them a rollicking start by scoring 54. Marsh and Travis Head (56) scored 104 runs off 51 balls for the first wicket. With Australia eyeing a total in excess of 200, Sri Lanka’s slow bowlers kept them to 181 with leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha picking up 3-37. Australia collapsed as they looked for quick runs, losing their last six wickets for 21 in 24 balls.

By none@none.com (AFP)

Brilliant Sri Lanka leave Australia on brink of T20 World Cup elimination

Stunning ton by Pathum Nissanka seals hosts’ run chase Australia need Ireland to beat Zimbabwe on Tuesday Australia could be out of the T20 World Cup before they even play their final first round group match after a stunning fightback by Sri Lanka in Pallekele. Returning captain Mitch Marsh and a revived Travis Head looked to have set Australia on course for a victory that would have kept their tournament hopes alive as they smashed a century-plus opening stand at more than two-runs-a-ball. Continue reading...

By Australian Associated Press

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Nissanka ton powers Sri Lanka into Super 8; Australia on brink of elimination

Pathum Nissanka's unbeaten century powered Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket victory over Australia, securing their Super Eight spot in the T20 World Cup. Nissanka's brilliant 100 not out off 52 balls anchored the chase after Australia posted 181. Australia now faces elimination if Zimbabwe defeats Ireland.

By TOI SPORTS DESK

Suryakumar dedicates win to India - The Daily Star

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