Pallekele (Sri Lanka), February 16 Opener Pathum Nissanka played a crucial role in Sri Lanka's eight-wicket victory over Australia, scoring an unbeaten 100 off 52 balls. This win secured Sri Lanka's place in the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka set a target of 182, which Nissanka and Kusal Mendis achieved in 18 overs. Mendis scored 51 off 38 balls. Pavan Rathnayake remained not out on 28 off 15 balls.
Nissanka hit 10 fours and 5 sixes during his innings.
Australia now needs to win by a significant margin against Oman in their final match to have any chance of progressing. If Sri Lanka and Ireland both win against Zimbabwe, Australia will be eliminated.
Earlier, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head had scored explosive fifties before Sri Lanka bowled out Australia for 181.
Marsh scored 54 off 27 balls, while Head scored 56 off 29 balls. Their partnership of 104 runs in less than nine overs set the stage for a total of over 200.
However, the Sri Lankan bowlers were more successful, with Dushan Hemantha taking 3 wickets in 4 overs. The last four wickets fell for only 6 runs.
In the chase, Kusal Perera failed to connect with a ball from Marcus Stoinis and was caught, giving Australia the first wicket.
Nissanka and Mendis then added 97 runs for the second wicket, keeping Sri Lanka in the lead.
With 89 needed from 60 balls, Sri Lanka were confident of achieving the target.
However, Stoinis dismissed Mendis, giving Australia the second wicket. Nissanka continued his aggressive innings.
Initially, Australia had a strong start with Marsh and Head scoring fifties.
After a 23-run defeat to Zimbabwe, Australia started strongly, scoring 16 runs in the first over by Dushmantha Chameera.
Marsh scored 54 off 27 balls, while Head scored 56 off 29 balls.
Sri Lanka suffered a setback when Matheesha Pathirana was injured and had to leave the field.
In the chase, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera early. Nissanka and Mendis then added 97 runs, putting Sri Lanka in a dominant position.
With 89 needed from 60 balls, Sri Lanka were confident of achieving the target.
However, Stoinis dismissed Mendis, giving Australia the second wicket. Nissanka continued his aggressive innings.
