Pallekele, February 17: Sri Lanka stunned Australia with an impressive 8-wicket victory in the T20 World Cup 2026. Pathum Nissanka emerged as the hero of the match, scoring an unbeaten century off just 52 balls, which included 5 sixes and 10 fours. With this performance, Nissanka became the first player to score a century against Australia in T20 World Cup history. Previously, Pakistan’s Umar Akmal had scored 94 runs against Australia in 2014.
Nissanka’s remarkable innings also placed him joint first in the list of the highest individual scores for Sri Lanka in T20 World Cups. He matched the record set by Mahela Jayawardene, who scored 100 runs against Zimbabwe in 2010. Jayawardene had also scored an unbeaten 98 against the West Indies in the same year, while Tillakaratne Dilshan had scored 96 not out against the West Indies in 2009.
Completing his century in just 52 balls, Nissanka had previously achieved the same feat against India in Dubai in 2025. He is now the second-fastest Sri Lankan to score a century in T20 internationals, with Kusal Perera holding the record for the fastest century in just 44 balls against New Zealand in 2025.
Australia set a target of 181 runs, thanks to a century partnership between captain Mitchell Marsh (54) and Travis Head (56). In response, Sri Lanka chased down the target in just 18 overs, with Nissanka’s century and Kusal Mendis contributing 51 runs to the team’s success.
This victory marks Sri Lanka’s third win against Australia in World Cup history (both ODI and T20). The Sri Lankan team previously defeated Australia by 7 wickets in the 1996 ODI World Cup final, followed by a 6-wicket victory in 2009.
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