COLOMBO: Pathum Nissanka struck an unbeaten century as Sri Lanka chased down 182 to beat Australia by eight wickets and book a place in the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup on Monday, leaving the former champions on the brink of an early exit.
Nissanka finished on exactly 100 and anchored the chase with a decisive second-wicket stand of 97 alongside Kusal Mendis, as Sri Lanka registered their third straight Group B win.
Australia, who lost their previous match to Zimbabwe, now need results elsewhere to go their way, hoping Ireland and Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe to keep qualification hopes alive before they face Oman on Friday.
“We are in the lap of the Gods now,” Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said. “A lot of emotions in the room. We have not been at our best. We watch the Zimbabwe-Ireland game with hope, but we are disappointed.”
Put in to bat first in Kandy, Marsh and Travis Head (56) gave Australia a flying start with a 104-run opening partnership inside nine overs. Head reached his fifty from 27 balls before holing out at wide long off attempting a fourth six, as Dushan Hemantha made the breakthrough.
Hemantha (3-37) then trapped Marsh (54) leg before wicket and removed Glenn Maxwell (22), whose reverse hit off a full toss was brilliantly caught by Nissanka with a backward leap at backward point, leaving Australia 160-5 in the 17th over.Josh Inglis (27) fell next to Dushmantha Chameera, who delivered a tight final over as Australia added only four runs and were bowled out after two run-outs from the last two balls.
