Nissanka century sends Sri Lanka through, Australia on brink
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- Pathum Nissanka smashed an unbeaten 100 off 52 balls, mixing power and finesse to chase down 182 with Sri Lanka losing just two wickets, after Kusal Perera fell in the first over.
- Kusal Mendis anchored the chase with a composed 51 from 38 balls — his third consecutive half-century of the tournament — and Nissanka punished the leg side for 26 runs through mid-wicket and 20 through square leg.
- Australia collapsed from 104-0 after 8.2 overs to be bowled out for 181, losing their last five wickets for just seven runs in 14 balls, after Travis Head (59) and Mitchell Marsh (54, returning from a groin injury) had set a strong platform.
- Mitchell Marsh, who returned from injury, conceded the total was "a few short" and called his squad "devastated," saying they are "in the lap of the gods now" and must watch Zimbabwe's remaining games against Ireland and Sri Lanka.
- Sri Lanka qualified for the Super 8s and will fancy a deep run, though there is concern over pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who walked off injured during the powerplay.
- Nissanka also turned the match with the ball, taking a brilliant flying catch at backward point to dismiss Glenn Maxwell after dropping him the previous over.
- Australia's bowling attack lacked penetration without injured trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, a deficit the captain acknowledged as decisive.
Why it matters: Sri Lanka's dominant win sends them into the T20 World Cup Super 8s with both Nissanka and Mendis in peak form, while Australia — missing three frontline quicks — now need Zimbabwe to lose both remaining group games before their own net run-rate can save them, a scenario the captain effectively conceded is out of their hands.
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