Sri Lanka crush Australia by 8 Wickets as Pathum Nissanka’s century seals dominant chase

Sri Lanka produced a commanding all-round display to defeat Australia by eight wickets after chasing 182 with remarkable ease in their T20 World Cup 2026 clash.In the powerplay, Australia raced to 70 runs with a power-packed opening partnership of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head. Wickets fell quickly after that, and the momentum of the opening partnership was lost. Although Australia opened with a fast start in the first half of their innings, they ended with less than they could've had.

Marsh and Head hit boundaries quickly; both played aggressively driving Indian pacers and spinners. Both scored runs quickly as Dushan Hemantha took three wickets and left Australia reeling from an early position and losing their last 7 wickets quickly to finish with 181 runs. Chasing the target, Pathum Nissanka delivered a breathtaking innings that completely transformed the contest and deflated Australia’s hopes.

After Kusal Perera fell early, he stitched a superb partnership with Kusal Mendis, combining elegance with calculated aggression. Boundaries came at will as fielders were forced back and bowlers searched desperately for answers. Nissanka’s timing and placement stood out, allowing Sri Lanka to stay ahead of the rate throughout. By the time Mendis departed, the equation was firmly in control, leaving the finishing job straightforward for the remaining batters with ease overall.

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Sri Lanka’s chase seals dominance

The chase ultimately highlighted Sri Lanka’s batting depth and composure under pressure in a high-stakes encounter. Pavan Rathnayake added an unbeaten cameo that ensured there were no late hiccups, rotating strike smartly and punishing anything loose. Australia’s bowlers struggled for consistency, as their lengths varied and field placements failed to contain the flow of runs. Even experienced options could not apply sustained pressure once the dew settled. The contrast between sides became clearer with every over, as Sri Lanka’s execution overshadowed Australia’s fading intensity in a contest slipping away rapidly.

With this comprehensive victory, Sri Lanka strengthened their position in the group standings and sent a strong message to other contenders. Chasing a daunting total against a powerful lineup showcased their confidence, balance, and adaptability in varied situations. Australia, despite flashes of brilliance with the bat, will need to reassess their bowling plans and middle-order stability before upcoming fixtures. The result underlined how quickly momentum can shift in T20 cricket, and how crucial partnerships and death-over execution are in determining outcomes at the global stage during major tournaments like this.

Key Moments

Through Opening stand fast start: Australia, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head broke through the 100 run mark in less than 9 overs of batting. The turning point in the match was when Dushan Hemantha dismissed both as set batters, leading into Australia's collapse as they lost wickets in groups and finished with 181. Sri Lanka batted with control during their innings, with a 100-run partnership, allowing them to counteract the scoreboard pressure. After the loss of the second wicket at 105, Australia had lost all chance of winning the match by quite some time prior to the last few overs of the game being completed.

Top Performances

Pathum Nissanka scored a brilliant 100 not out from 52 deliveries and anchored the innings with authority and composure while scoring 10 fours and 5 sixes, and Kusal Mendis contributed with an impressive 51, thus ensuring that momentum was maintained. Earlier in the game, Mitchell Marsh scored 54 runs from 27 balls, while Travis Head scored 56 runs from 29 balls; both players gave Australia a fabulous start in their innings, however, due to clinical bowling from Sri Lanka and a masterclass performance from Pathum Nissanka, both opening batsmen’s performances were overshadowed.

Brief Score
Australia: 181 all out (20 overs) – Mitchell Marsh 54 (27), Travis Head 56 (29); Dushan Hemantha 3/37
Sri Lanka: 184/2 (18 overs) – Pathum Nissanka 100* (52), Kusal Mendis 51 (38)
Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets.