Sri Lanka defeated Australia in the T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding performance, successfully chasing down a daunting 182 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. A magnificent unbeaten century from Pathum Nissanka anchored the record run chase and secured Sri Lanka’s place in the Super Eight stage, while the injury-hit Australians slumped to another defeat, leaving their campaign hanging by a thread. Earlier, Australia had posted a competitive total but failed to capitalise at key moments, with their middle order unable to accelerate decisively in the death overs. Sri Lanka’s bowlers kept things tight to prevent a late surge, and once Nissanka found his rhythm in the chase, the momentum firmly shifted, as the hosts paced the pursuit brilliantly to seal a statement win.
Nissanka stayed unbeaten on 100, playing a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s successful pursuit as the hosts rewrote the record books. The 182-run chase is now the highest ever against Australia in a T20 World Cup, surpassing the previous mark of 179 set by the West Indies cricket team in 2014. It also stands as Sri Lanka’s highest successful run chase at home in T20Is, eclipsing their earlier best of 182 — achieved at the same venue against Australia in 2022. Australia were inserted in after Sri Lanka won the toss in this high-stakes clash in Pallekele. Australia made a blazing start, with Travis Head and skipper Mitchell Marsh — playing his first match of the tournament — launching a fierce assault. The duo added 104 for the opening wicket, both bringing up half-centuries as Australia raced to 100 in just 8.2 overs. But once a couple of quick wickets fell, Sri Lanka seized control and never allowed the Aussies to regain momentum. From a commanding 110/2 at the halfway mark and eyeing a total beyond 220, Australia were pulled back sharply by the hosts, who finished strongly with the ball before Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis capitalised in the chase to seal a comfortable win.