Pathum Nissanka century powers Sri Lanka into Super Eight; Australia on brink of T20 WC elimination | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Pathum Nissanka produced a sensational unbeaten century to power Sri Lanka to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Australia in their Group B clash at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The commanding win sealed Sri Lanka’s place in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup and left Australia staring at elimination.Australia will be eliminated if Zimbabwe beat Ireland on Tuesday.
Chasing 182, Sri Lanka rode on Nissanka’s breathtaking 100 not out off just 52 balls, an innings studded with 10 fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 192.31. He anchored the chase to perfection, first stitching a 97-run stand with Kusal Mendis and then finishing the job in style alongside Pavan Rathnayake. The hosts raced to 184/2 in just 18 overs, maintaining a run rate of 10.22.Earlier, Australia posted a competitive 181 all out in their 20 overs after a blazing start. Skipper Mitchell Marsh (54 off 27) and Travis Head (56 off 29) tore into the Sri Lankan attack during a 104-run opening stand inside nine overs. At 104/0, Australia looked set for a mammoth total.However, Sri Lanka clawed their way back through Dushan Hemantha, who removed Head and later dismissed Marsh and Glenn Maxwell to finish with impressive figures of 3/37. Dunith Wellalage accounted for Cameron Green, while Dushmantha Chameera chipped in with two crucial wickets, including Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis. From 116/3, Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals and failed to capitalise fully on their explosive start, eventually folding for 181.In response, Sri Lanka suffered an early blow when Kusal Perera fell cheaply, but Nissanka quickly settled into rhythm. Mendis provided solid support with a fluent 51 off 38 balls before falling to Stoinis. By then, the platform had been laid. Rathnayake’s brisk 28 off 15 balls ensured there were no late hiccups as Sri Lanka completed the chase with 12 balls to spare.First Zimbabwe, and now Sri Lanka — Australia’s campaign has unravelled dramatically. Once favourites, they now face the prospect of an early exit, while Sri Lanka march into the Super Eight with momentum firmly on their side.
