Pathum Nissanka is just not the primary identify that springs to thoughts when itemizing probably the most feared opening batters in fashionable T20 cricket. The 27-year-old is neither a marauding six-hitter nor a relentless innovator continuously unveiling new strokes. In some ways, he’s a throwback – a classical contact participant who owns each shot within the e book and prefers timing and placement over brute power.
On Monday, in a crunch encounter in opposition to Australia, Nissanka introduced these attributes to the fore in emphatic trend. The opener, launched to cricket by his grandfather and educated on the similar college as Tillakaratne Dilshan, carved his approach to an unbeaten 100 off 52 balls. His innings powered Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket win and secured their place within the Tremendous Eights, whereas taking Australia’s destiny out of their very own fingers.
Chasing 182 runs for victory, Sri Lanka wanted composure as a lot as firepower. After Kusal Perera’s early dismissal, Nissanka discovered an ready associate in Kusal Mendis. The pair mixed warning with calculated aggression to rebuild the innings. They denied Australia additional breakthroughs, dealing with the tempo assault confidently and negotiating the spin trio of Adam Zampa, Cooper Connolly and Glenn Maxwell with assurance.
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Whereas Nissanka’s front-foot drives had been crisp, it was his back-foot play that stood out. Fast to rock again, he pulled each pacers and spinners with authority and used the sweep to disrupt the spinners’ rhythm. His tempo not often dipped, as he stored the required price in examine.
Pathum Nissanka turned the primary centurion of T20 World Cup 2026. (PHOTO: AP)
Each batters introduced up their half-centuries within the twelfth over, however simply because the partnership threatened to take the sport away solely, Mendis fell to Marcus Stoinis within the thirteenth over, ending a 97-run stand.
Nissanka, nevertheless, confirmed no indicators of retreat. Within the firm of Pavan Rathnayake, he guided Sri Lanka house with managed assurance.
Hemantha shines
Dushan Hemantha might have been forgiven for carrying scars into Monday evening. His T20I return in opposition to Oman on Thursday had been underwhelming, as he went for 45 runs in his 4 overs claiming only one wicket. Drafted in as a substitute for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, he got here into the Australia sport beneath scrutiny. By the tip of the night, he had turn out to be the distinction.
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Launched instantly after the Powerplay, with Australia flying at 74/0, Hemantha walked right into a storm. Travis Head, already in full move, greeted him with disdain – a towering six over long-on and an inside-out shot for 4 greeting him in his first over.
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Issues seemed ominous for Hemantha, however what adopted was a research in nerve. Off the third ball of the ninth over, the leg-spinner pushed the ball wider, inviting the massive shot. Head obliged however this time the connection wasn’t clear, because the left-hander was despatched again for 56 to finish a 104-run opening-wicket stand with Mitchell Marsh.
The breakthrough triggered a collapse. A few overs later, Hemantha beat Marsh within the air, and the Australian captain was struck on the again leg and trapped proper in entrance for 54.
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Hemantha later returned to assert Glenn Maxwell, however had Nissanka to thank. Maxwell reverse-swept flat in direction of backward level, seemingly clearing the infield. Nissanka backtracked, timed his leap completely and plucked it overhead, tumbling to the bottom however holding on.
From 104/0, Australia unravelled to 181 all out. What had appeared a frightening whole within the making was lowered to an achievable chase.
Transient Scores: Australia 181 all out in 20 overs (Head 56, Marsh 54; Dushan Hemantha 3/37) misplaced to Sri Lanka 184/2 in 18 overs (Pathum Nissanka 100 not out, Kusal Mendis 51) by 8 wickets.