Colombo, Feb 16: Sri Lanka's emphatic eight-wicket victory over Australia on Monday (February 16) in Pallekele was not merely a qualification-clinching
result; it was a night that reshaped their T20 World Cup history through a cascade of statistical milestones.
In a contest that swung dramatically from Australia's powerplay dominance to a spin-induced collapse and finally to a record-breaking chase, the hosts produced one of their most complete performances in global T20 tournaments.
Pathum Nissanka's unbeaten century anchored the highest successful run chase Sri Lanka have ever achieved in T20 World Cups, while also delivering the first hundred scored against Australia in the tournament's history.
The match also featured Australia's dramatic slide from 104 without loss to 181 all out, Sri Lanka's first successful pursuit of a 180-plus target against a top-tier opposition outside Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, and confirmation of their place in the Super Eight stage.
Beyond the immediate result, the numbers reflect a broader shift in Sri Lanka's white-ball trajectory-combining aggressive top-order batting, middle-overs control through spin and the ability to finish high-pressure chases against elite sides.
Nissanka's Landmark Century
Pathum Nissanka's 100 off 52 balls* was the defining performance of the match and a historic one for Sri Lankan cricket. It became:
- Sri Lanka's highest individual score in T20 World Cups
- The first century ever scored against Australia in T20 World Cups
- The fastest T20I hundred for Sri Lanka in World Cups (52 balls, joint-second fastest overall for SL)
Fastest T20I Hundreds for Sri Lanka (by balls)
- 44 - Kusal Perera vs NZ, Nelson 2025
- 52 - Pathum Nissanka vs IND, Dubai 2025
- 52 - Pathum Nissanka vs AUS, Pallekele 2026
Highest Individual Scores for Sri Lanka in T20 World Cups
- 100* - Pathum Nissanka vs AUS, Pallekele 2026
- 100 - Mahela Jayawardene vs ZIM, Providence 2010
- 98* - Mahela Jayawardene vs WI, Bridgetown 2010
- 96* - Tillakaratne Dilshan vs WI, The Oval 2009
Record Chase: Sri Lanka's Best in T20 World Cups
The chase of 182 was Sri Lanka's highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history. It also marked:
- The highest successful chase against Australia in T20 World Cups
- The first time Sri Lanka chased 180+ against a team other than Bangladesh or Zimbabwe in T20Is
- The second-highest successful chase by any team in T20Is in Sri Lanka
Dominance Over Australia in World Cups
Sri Lanka's victory extended a proud World Cup record against Australia. Their wins over the five-time champions now read:
- 1996 ODI World Cup Final (Lahore) - won by 7 wickets
- 2009 T20 World Cup (Nottingham) - won by 6 wickets
- 2026 T20 World Cup (Pallekele) - won by 8 wickets
Australia's Collapse After a Flying Start
Australia's dramatic slide from 104/0 to 181 all out saw them lose 10 wickets for 77 runs, one of their most severe middle-overs collapses in T20 World Cups. The turning point came with spin, as Sri Lanka's slow bowlers dismantled a lineup that had looked set for 220+.
Zampa's Rare Wicketless Streak
For Australia, Adam Zampa endured an unusual dip, going wicketless in back-to-back T20Is for the first time since early 2024, a significant factor in Sri Lanka's comfortable chase.
Australia and Sri Lanka's Qualification Impact
The win confirmed Sri Lanka's place in the Super Eight stage, while Australia's fate now hinges on Zimbabwe defeating Ireland. A Zimbabwe win would eliminate Australia from the tournament.
