Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka scored the first century of the 2026 T20 World Cup on Monday to put his side into the Super Eights and leave Australia on the brink of elimination.
Nissanka scored 100 not out off 52 balls with five sixes and 10 fours as Sri Lanka, chasing Australia's 181, reached 184-2 with two overs to spare in Kandy to win by eight wickets.
A victory by Zimbabwe over Ireland in Group B on Tuesday, or against Sri Lanka on Thursday, would eliminate the 2021 champions.
If Zimbabwe lose both, Australia will need to beat Oman in their final match on Friday by a big margin to get through on net run rate.
VICTORY! 🏆
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 16, 2026
Sri Lanka crush Australia by 8 wickets! A sensational 100* from Pathum Nissanka guides us home. 🇱🇰🔥 #LionsRoar #SLvAUS #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/8VvMg6mbyx
"We're in the lap of the Gods now I think," said Australia captain Mitchell MAarsh.
"Lot of emotions in the room right now. Haven't been at our best. Disappointed bunch at the moment."
Nissanka was involved in a 97-run stand off 66 balls with Kusal Mendis for the second wicket with the wicketkeeper-batsman posting his third fifty in the competition.
Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan to score two hundreds in T20 internationals.
PATHUM NISSANKA reaches the magic three-figure mark! 🦁 A masterful 100* against Australia—his second T20I century! 🌏✨#SLvAUS #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/gLAkxit7E0
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 16, 2026
After Mendis's dismissal, Nissanka and Pavan Rathnayake put on 76 off 34 balls to see Sri Lanka to victory.
Nissanka played some glorious cover drives off the spinners and played some elegant flicks against the quicks.
Sri Lanka came into the World Cup after a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of England, but have gained momentum and have won all three games so far.
Australia's campaign has been plagued by injuries.
Their captain Marsh, who missed the first two games, returned and gave them a rollicking start by scoring 54.
Marsh and Travis Head (56) scored 104 runs off 51 balls for the first wicket.
With Australia eyeing a total in excess of 200, Sri Lanka's slow bowlers kept them to 181 with legspinner Dushan Hemantha picking up 3-37.
Australia collapsed as they looked for quick runs, losing their last six wickets for 21 in 24 balls.
AUSTRALIA: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana