T20 WC 2026: Pathum Nissanka`s masterclass helps Sri Lanka defeat Australia

Updated On: 17 February, 2026 09:44 AM IST | Sujay Shivalkar

In the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Australia, Sri Lanka emerged victorious by eight wickets. Here`s all you need to know (Pics: X and AFP)

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In the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Australia, Sri Lanka emerged victorious by eight wickets. Here`s all you need to know (Pics: X and AFP)

<p>Having put to chase a target of 182 runs, Sri Lanka scored 184 runs for the loss of just two wickets in 18 overs <em><strong>(Pic: X/<span class="css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3">@OfficialSLC)</span></strong></em></p>

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Having put to chase a target of 182 runs, Sri Lanka scored 184 runs for the loss of just two wickets in 18 overs (Pic: X/@OfficialSLC)

<p>Sri Lanka`s Dushmantha Chameera celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia`s Josh Inglis during the 2026 ICC Men`s T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Australia and Sri Lanka <em><strong>(Pic/AFP)</strong></em></p>

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Sri Lanka`s Dushmantha Chameera celebrates after taking the wicket of Australia`s Josh Inglis during the 2026 ICC Men`s T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Australia and Sri Lanka (Pic/AFP)

<p>Sri Lanka`s Dushmantha Chameera (R) celebrates with Maheesh Theekshana (L) and Dunith Wellalage after taking the wicket of Australia`s Marcus Stoinis <em><strong>(Pic/AFP)</strong></em></p>

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Sri Lanka`s Dushmantha Chameera (R) celebrates with Maheesh Theekshana (L) and Dunith Wellalage after taking the wicket of Australia`s Marcus Stoinis (Pic/AFP)

<p>Kusal Mendis celebrates after scoring a half-century (50 runs) <em><strong>(Pic/AFP)</strong></em></p>

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Kusal Mendis celebrates after scoring a half-century (50 runs) (Pic/AFP)

<p>Pathum Nissanka celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) during the clash between Australia and Sri Lanka <em><strong>(Pic/AFP)</strong></em></p>

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Pathum Nissanka celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) during the clash between Australia and Sri Lanka (Pic/AFP)

<p>Pathum Nissanka (R) is congratulated by Kusal Mendis (C) and captain Dasun Shanaka for his innings as they celebrate their team`s win against Australia <em><strong>(Pic/AFP)</strong></em></p>

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Pathum Nissanka (R) is congratulated by Kusal Mendis (C) and captain Dasun Shanaka for his innings as they celebrate their team`s win against Australia (Pic/AFP)

<p>Fans cheer from the stands during the 2026 ICC Men`s T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy <em><strong>(Pic/AFP)</strong></em></p>

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Fans cheer from the stands during the 2026 ICC Men`s T20 Cricket World Cup group stage match at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy (Pic/AFP)

<p>Opening batsman Kusal Perera departed on one run in three balls. Despite losing an early wicket, premier batsman Pathum Nissanka led from the front <em><strong>(Pic: X/<span class="_aupe copyable-text xkrh14z" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">@OfficialSLC</span>)</strong></em></p>

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Opening batsman Kusal Perera departed on one run in three balls. Despite losing an early wicket, premier batsman Pathum Nissanka led from the front (Pic: X/@OfficialSLC)

<p>Facing just 52 deliveries, he garnered an unbeaten 100 runs, with the help of 10 boundaries and five maximums <em><strong>(Pic: X/<span class="_aupe copyable-text xkrh14z" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">@OfficialSLC</span>)</strong></em></p>

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Facing just 52 deliveries, he garnered an unbeaten 100 runs, with the help of 10 boundaries and five maximums (Pic: X/@OfficialSLC)

<p>The right-handed batsman showcased masterful strokes, immense grit and resilience throughout his knock. His century also marked the first ton by any batsman in the ongoing global showpiece <em><strong>(Pic: X/<span class="_aupe copyable-text xkrh14z" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">@OfficialSLC</span>)</strong></em></p>

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The right-handed batsman showcased masterful strokes, immense grit and resilience throughout his knock. His century also marked the first ton by any batsman in the ongoing global showpiece (Pic: X/@OfficialSLC)

<p>Later, wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis accumulated 51 runs after facing 38 balls. His knock also included six boundaries and a maximum. Pavan Rathnayake stayed unbeaten on 28 runs. His knock came in 15 balls, including six boundaries <em><strong>(Pic: X/<span class="_aupe copyable-text xkrh14z" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">@OfficialSLC</span>)</strong></em></p>

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Later, wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis accumulated 51 runs after facing 38 balls. His knock also included six boundaries and a maximum. Pavan Rathnayake stayed unbeaten on 28 runs. His knock came in 15 balls, including six boundaries (Pic: X/@OfficialSLC)

<p>Australia`s Marcus Stoinis managed to pick up two wickets by conceding 46 runs in his spell of four overs. Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Cooper Connolly, Adam Zampa, and Glenn Maxwell went wicketless in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Sri Lanka <em><strong>(Pic: X/@ICC)</strong></em></p>

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Australia`s Marcus Stoinis managed to pick up two wickets by conceding 46 runs in his spell of four overs. Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Cooper Connolly, Adam Zampa, and Glenn Maxwell went wicketless in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Sri Lanka (Pic: X/@ICC)

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T20 WC 2026: Pathum Nissanka`s masterclass helps Sri Lanka defeat Australia

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