Sri Lanka qualified for the Super 8 round of the T20 World Cup after defeating Australia by 8 wickets at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Australia Innings – 181 All Out (20 Overs)
After winning the toss, Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka invited Australia to bat first.
Openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head added a rapid 104-run partnership:
- Travis Head – 56 (29 balls, 7 fours, 3 sixes)
- Mitchell Marsh – 54 (27 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes)
- Glenn Maxwell – 22
- Josh Inglis – 27
Australia collapsed dramatically, losing their last 6 wickets for just 21 runs, finishing on 181 all out.
Sri Lanka bowling highlights
- Dushan Hemantha – 3 wickets
- Dushmantha Chameera – 2 wickets
- Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis – 2 wickets each
Sri Lanka Innings – 184/2 (18 Overs)
Chasing 182, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Janith Perera early for 1.
Then came a match-winning stand between Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka.
- Kusal Mendis – 20th T20I fifty (third consecutive fifty in the tournament)
- Pathum Nissanka – 100 (52 balls, 10 fours, 5 sixes)*
Their 97-run partnership broke the back of the chase as Sri Lanka reached 184/2 in 18 overs.
Sri Lanka sealed a convincing win and booked their place in the Super 8 stage, powered by a sensational maiden T20I century from Nissanka
