Pathum Nissanka becomes the first player to score a T20 World Cup ton against Australia.
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Pathum Nissanka’s T20
Could you imagine standing at the crease while the ghosts of cricket history and a ruthless Australian bowling attack stare you down? For years, Sri Lankan fans have looked for a successor to the golden era of Jayawardene and Sangakkara—a player who combines silk with steel.
In a single, electric evening, Pathum Nissanka didn’t just step into those shoes; he sprinted in them, shattering a decade-old record and proving that quiet determination can roar louder than any stadium crowd.
The Night Records Shattered
The match began with a familiar sting. Kusal Perera fell for just one run, leaving Sri Lanka wobbling. But cricket is a game of partnerships and nerves. Nissanka found a willing ally in Kusal Mendis, and together, they constructed a 97-run fortress.
While Mendis kept the scoreboard ticking at a frantic pace, Nissanka played the role of the surgeon, picking apart the Australian field with surgical precision.
By the time he reached his hundred—the first ever scored against Australia in T20 World Cup history—he had eclipsed Umar Akmal’s 94-run mark from 2014. Nissanka is now only the second Sri Lankan to ever score a T20 World Cup century, joining the legendary Mahela Jayawardene.
Geometry of the Chase
Most observers focus on the sixes that cleared the ropes, but the true brilliance lay in the ten boundaries that didn’t. Nissanka doesn’t rely on raw, muscular power. Instead, he uses the bowler’s pace against them. He manipulates the crease, opening his stance at the last millisecond to find gaps that seem non-existent.
His strike rate of 132.1 across his T20 career often masks his explosive potential. In this innings, he hit the joint-second-fastest T20I hundred for his country, needing only 52 balls.
This wasn’t a fluke; it was a demonstration of a player who has mastered the “acceleration curve.” He knows exactly when to shift from a steady anchor to a relentless aggressor.
The Anchor Fallacy
Many analysts pigeonhole Nissanka as a traditional anchor—a player who survives rather than thrives. This is a mistake.
- Don’t mistake stability for lack of intent. His ability to maintain a 31.77 average while hitting multiple international centuries proves he is a high-volume scorer, not just a placeholder.
- Ignore the “Home Ground” labels. While he averages 34.40 at home, his performance against a world-class Australian attack (averaging 39.70 against them specifically) shows he thrives against the best in the world, regardless of the soil beneath his feet.
The Milestone Man
This performance wasn’t just about one game; it was a career-defining shift. During this knock, Nissanka reached several staggering milestones:
- First Sri Lankan batter to score multiple T20I centuries.
- Second Sri Lankan to cross the 2,500-run mark in T20Is.
- Surpassed 4,500 career runs in the T20 format across 163 games.
The match ended with an unbeaten 100, a victory in 18 overs, and a clear message to the cricketing world. Sri Lanka is no longer a team in transition. With Pathum Nissanka at the helm, they are a team with a clinical, record-breaking edge.
Key Takeaways
- Nissanka’s 100 is the highest individual T20 WC score against Australia.*
- He is the first from his nation to hammer two T20I tons.
- His 79-run stand with Rathnayake ensured a dominant 8-wicket victory.