Pathum Nissanka of Sri Lanka smashed the first century of the 2026 T20 World Cup on Monday to take his country through to the Super Eights and leave south Asian giants India and hosts Australia verging on elimination.
Nissanka made 100 not out off 52 balls with five sixes and 10 fours as Sri Lanka, chasing Australia’s tally of 181, raced to 184-2 two overs to spare in Kandy and win by eight wickets.
Zimbabwe would also knock out the 2021 champions were they to beat Ireland, in Group B Tuesday or Sri Lanka Thursday.
If Zimbabwe lose both, Australia will have to defeat Oman on Friday by an inflated margin to qualify on net run rate.
“I think we’re in the lap of the Gods now,” said Australia captain Mitchell Marsh.
“There’s a lot of emotion in the room right now. Haven’t been at our best. Disappointed bunch at the moment.”
Nissanka featured in a 97-run second wicket stand off 66 balls with Kusal Mendis to the total, the wicketkeeper-batsman reaching his third fifty of the tournament.
Nissanka was the first Sri Lankan to score two hundreds in T20 internationals.
Following Mendis’s dismissal, Nissanka and Pavan Rathnayake combined for 76 off 34 balls to ensure Sri Lanka clinched a win.
Nissanka slashed some gorgeous cover drives off the spinners and flicked elegantly against the quicks.
Sri Lanka arrived at the World Cup after a 3-0 trouncing at the hands of England, but they have developed momentum and are three for three.
Australia has been hit hard by injuries.
Their captain Marsh, who missed the first couple of games, came back and provided them with a rollicking start – he scored 54.
Marsh and Travis Head (56) added 104 for the first wicket from 51 balls.
With Australia looking towards a total of more than 200, Sri Lanka’s slow bowlers restricted them to 181-leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha was the most successful with 3-37.
Australia crumbled as they searched for quick runs, their final six wickets tumbling for 21 in 24 balls.