What Happened
Pathum Nissanka delivered a commanding performance, scoring a century that propelled Sri Lanka to an impressive eight-wicket victory over Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup group stage match held at Pallekele on February 16. This victory secured Sri Lanka’s place in the Super Eight stage, while putting the 2021 champions Australia at risk of elimination.
Why It Matters
Nissanka’s century, his second in T20 internationals, was pivotal as he guided Sri Lanka to chase down a target of 182 runs, marking their third consecutive win in the tournament. This achievement also made him the second Sri Lankan batter to score a century in the ICC T20 World Cup, joining Mahela Jayawardene, who accomplished this feat in 2010. Nissanka’s century was notable for being the second-fastest T20I hundred by a Sri Lankan, reached in just 52 balls, trailing only Kusal Perera’s 44-ball century.
What’s Next
Looking ahead, Sri Lanka will face New Zealand in a crucial Super Eight clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. This match is critical for both teams, as a loss for Sri Lanka would eliminate them from semi-final contention. Nissanka’s performance will be under scrutiny as New Zealand aims to counter his explosive batting style, especially given his struggles against high-pace deliveries.
