🏏 Sri Lanka booked their place in the T20 World Cup Super Eight on Monday by chasing down Australia’s 181 for an eight-wicket win, powered by opener Pathum Nissanka’s unbeaten 52-ball century — the first hundred of the 2026 tournament 13512. Nissanka steadied the chase throughout, with Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake providing key support as Sri Lanka got home with time to spare 13.
The loss leaves Australia needing other Group B results to fall their way to avoid an early exit, with their bowling depth stretched by the absence of key fast bowlers 1511. Australia started fast through a rapid opening stand between returning captain Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, but Sri Lanka’s slower bowlers changed the tempo, pulled the scoring back, and set up a late slide led by leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha 13.
Sources
- Sri Lanka’s 8-wicket win over Australia leaves 2021 champions on brink of exit from the tournament [dawn.com] (2026-02-16)
- T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka captain Shanaka lauds win over Australia as ‘one of the best performances’ [thehindu.com] (2026-02-17)
- T20 World Cup: Ton-up Nissanka leaves Australia on the brink [thehindu.com] (2026-02-16)
- T20 World Cup: Pathum Nissanka hits unbeaten 100 as Sri Lanka crush Australia - BBC [google.com] (2026-02-16)
- Australia on brink as Nissanka sends Sri Lanka through [bbc.com] (2026-02-16)
- Nissanka ton sends Sri Lanka through & leaves Australia on brink [bbc.com] (2026-02-16)
- 'Imperious' Nissanka hits stunning 52-ball century [bbc.com] (2026-02-16)
- Nissanka takes incredible catch to remove Maxwell [bbc.com] (2026-02-16)
- T20 World Cup: Australia on brink of elimination after crushing defeat to Pathum Nissanka-inspired Sri Lanka - Sky Sports [google.com] (2026-02-16)
- Under-fire Australia left to rely on others to avoid humiliating exit at T20 World Cup [theguardian.com] (2026-02-17)
- Brilliant Sri Lanka leave Australia on brink of T20 World Cup elimination [theguardian.com] (2026-02-16)
- Australia on brink of T20 World Cup elimination after Sri Lanka hammering [skysports.com] (2026-02-16)
Highlights
- Pressure on Australia: The Guardian said Australia’s white-ball aura has taken a hit after back-to-back tournament defeats, leaving them dependent on other results to stay alive 10.
- Record milestone: Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan to score two T20 international centuries during his unbeaten 52-ball hundred 1.
- Momentum shift: Australia’s openers went at more than two runs a ball early on, but Sri Lanka’s change of pace dragged the rate back and opened the door to a late wobble 11.
- Mendis consistency: Kusal Mendis posted his third half-century of the competition, helping lay the platform in the chase 1.
- Fielding highlight: BBC also highlighted Nissanka’s athletic catch to dismiss Glenn Maxwell, adding a standout fielding moment to his match-winning night 8.
Perspectives
Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka captain): Shanaka called it “one of the best performances,” praising how Sri Lanka put batting and bowling together against a top opponent.
Australia selectors (media scrutiny): The Guardian wrote that pressure is building on the selectors, with renewed debate over team balance and Steve Smith going unused in the match.
Historical Background
Australia won the men’s T20 World Cup in 2021 111. Sri Lanka came into this tournament after a 3-0 series loss to England 112.
Performance Statistics
- Australia total: Australia made 181 after being 104/0 13.
- Sri Lanka chase: Sri Lanka reached 184-2 with two overs to spare, winning by eight wickets 135.
- Top scorer: Pathum Nissanka 100* off 52 balls (five sixes, 10 fours) 1.
- Key partnership: Nissanka and Kusal Mendis added 97 off 66 balls for the second wicket 1.
- Best bowler: Dushan Hemantha took 3-37 for Sri Lanka 13.