Defying odds, Sri Lanka thrashed Australia by 8 wickets in T20 World Cup 2026 at Pallekele, courtesy Pathum Nissanka’s unbeaten century—100 off 52 balls with 15 boundaries including 5 sixes. He became the trailblazer for a T20 World Cup hundred versus Australia, eclipsing Akmal’s 94 from 2014.
Jointly atop Sri Lanka’s T20 WC innings list, Nissanka equals Jayawardene’s 2010 ton against Zimbabwe. The all-time great also scored 98* vs West Indies then, with Dilshan’s 96* completing the elite club.
Matching his 52-ball hundred against India in 2025, Nissanka sits second in Sri Lanka’s T20I fastest centuries list, with Perera’s 44-ball gem leading.
Marsh (54) and Head (56) raised 181 for Australia via their pivotal stand. Unfazed, Sri Lanka sealed victory in 18 overs, powered by Nissanka and Mendis’s 51.
This victory joins Sri Lanka’s rare World Cup wins over Australia—the 7-wicket 1996 ODI final glory and 6-wicket 2009 T20 success. Nissanka’s masterclass blends power and precision, positioning Sri Lanka as dark horses in the race for glory.