The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 witnessed Sri Lanka defeat Australia by 8 wickets with 12 balls remaining in Match 30 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on February 16. Australia posted 181 all out in 20 overs. Sri Lanka chased down the target and finished at 184/2 in 18 overs.
Pathum Nissanka starred with a magnificent 100 runs off 52 balls. Kusal Mendis added 51 runs. Travis Head top-scored for Australia with 56 runs. Marcus Stoinis took 2 wickets. Dushan Hemantha grabbed 3 wickets for Sri Lanka. This was a brilliant chase from Sri Lanka.
Match Summary: AUS vs SL
Here is the complete match summary of this Group B encounter:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Australia Score | 181 all out (20 overs) |
| Sri Lanka Score | 184/2 (18 overs) |
| Match Result | Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets (with 12 balls remaining) |
| Best Batting (AUS) | Travis Head – 56 off 29 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes) |
| Best Batting (SL) | Pathum Nissanka – 100 not out off 52 balls (10 fours, 5 sixes) |
| Best Bowling (AUS) | Marcus Stoinis – 2/46 in 4 overs (Econ: 11.50) |
| Best Bowling (SL) | Dushan Hemantha – 3/37 in 4 overs (Econ: 9.25) |
| Player of the Match | Pathum Nissanka (SL) |
Australia Innings: 181 All Out in 20 Overs
Australia scored 70 runs in the powerplay without losing a wicket. Captain Mitchell Marsh played well and scored 54 runs off 27 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes. His fifty came in 25 balls. Travis Head added 56 runs off 29 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes. His fifty came in 27 balls. They put up a 100-run partnership in 50 balls. Cameron Green scored 3 runs. Tim David made 6 runs.
Josh Inglis contributed 27 runs off 22 balls with 3 fours. Glenn Maxwell added 22 runs off 15 balls with 1 four and 1 six. Marcus Stoinis scored 4 runs. Cooper Connolly made 3 runs. Xavier Bartlett added 0 runs. Nathan Ellis remained unbeaten on 0 runs. Adam Zampa scored 1 run. Australia reached 50 runs in 4.6 overs, 100 runs in 8.2 overs, and 150 runs in 14.5 overs.
Dushan Hemantha took 3 wickets for 37 runs. Dushmantha Chameera grabbed 2 wickets. Maheesh Theekshana picked up 1 wicket. Dunith Wellalage got 1 wicket. Kamindu Mendis took 1 wicket. Matheesha Pathirana and Dasun Shanaka did not take any wickets.
Sri Lanka Chase: 184/2 in 18 Overs
Sri Lanka scored 61 runs in the powerplay with 1 wicket down. Kusal Perera fell for 1 run. Pathum Nissanka played a magnificent century, scoring 100 not out off 52 balls. He smashed 10 fours and 5 sixes. His fifty came off 32 balls, and his century off 52. Kusal Mendis contributed 51 runs off 38 balls with 6 fours and 1 six. His fifty came in 35 balls.
Pavan Rathnayake remained unbeaten on 28 runs off 15 balls with 6 fours. Nissanka and Mendis put up a crucial 50-run partnership in 28 balls for the second wicket. They then added another 50 runs in 25 balls. Nissanka and Rathnayake scored 50 runs together in 25 balls. Sri Lanka reached 50 runs in 5.1 overs, 100 runs in 11.2 overs, and 150 runs in 15.6 overs. They crossed the target in 18 overs with 12 balls to spare.
Marcus Stoinis took 2 wickets for 46 runs. Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Cooper Connolly, Adam Zampa, and Glenn Maxwell did not take any wickets.
Key Highlight: Player of the Match – Pathum Nissanka
Batting: 100 not out off 52 balls
Strike rate: 192.30
Pathum Nissanka played a match-winning innings. He came in as opener and dominated throughout the chase. He scored an unbeaten 100 off 52 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes. His fifty came in 32 balls and a century in 52 balls. He built crucial partnerships with Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake. His innings took Sri Lanka to victory with 12 balls remaining. This win strengthened Sri Lanka’s position in Group B and showcased their strong batting lineup.
