Sri Lanka’s passage into the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup was shaped as much by Australia’s dramatic collapse as it was by Pathum Nissanka’s brilliance with the bat.
SL vs AUS: Full Scorecard | Highlights
Australia looked set for a massive total in Pallekele. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head added 104 runs in just 51 deliveries, putting Sri Lanka under immense pressure early on. At 151 for 4 after 15 overs, a score in excess of 200 appeared certain.
But the innings unravelled spectacularly. Sri Lanka’s spinners tightened the screws, exposing Australia’s struggle to adapt to the slowing surface. Dushan Hemantha struck key blows, while Dushmantha Chameera delivered a clinical finish at the death. Australia lost six wickets for just 30 runs in the final five overs, slipping from dominance to vulnerability in a matter of minutes. That collapse dragged them down to 181 — a total that suddenly felt under par.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Pathum Nissanka said Sri Lanka sensed the shift immediately.
“We felt they were short by around 20 runs,” Nissanka said. “At one stage we thought they could get 200 or even 210. Our aim was to keep them under 200.”
SMART CHASE BUILT ON PATIENCE
Armed with the belief that Australia had fallen 20 to 30 runs short, Sri Lanka approached the chase calmly. Nissanka and Kusal Mendis planned to bat normally for the first 12 overs, avoiding panic or reckless shots.
“We planned to play normal cricket for about 12 overs,” Nissanka explained. “Kusal batted well, so it was easier for me to bat along with him. We didn’t have to force anything.”
The pair rotated strike, capitalised on loose deliveries and kept the required rate in check. With no scoreboard pressure, the chase unfolded smoothly.
Nissanka’s unbeaten 100 off 52 balls sealed the win in style. His favourite shot of the night — a reverse sweep against a left-arm spinner — underlined his confidence. The ‘shush’ celebration that followed his century, he clarified, was not aimed at anyone in particular.
In the end, Sri Lanka combined sharp game awareness with clinical execution. They punished Australia’s late collapse and paced their reply perfectly to book a deserved Super 8 berth.
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