Former Indian captain Anil Kumble rated Pathum Nissanka’s century as one of the best innings of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Nissanka scored a match-winning knock against Australia in the run-chase of 182 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele on Monday.
The Sri Lankan opener scored an unbeaten knock of 100 runs off just 52 balls with the help of 10 fours and five sixes. Nissanka batted at the top of his game against Australia and played a key role in his team’s eight-wicket win. With this win, Sri Lanka were able to seal their Super 8 berth and Nissanka was awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning knock.
On JioHotstar’s ‘Match Centre Live,’ Anil Kumble praised Sri Lanka’s comprehensive win over Australia, stating, “Pathum Nissanka played an outstanding knock, one of the best innings in this World Cup and the tournament’s first hundred. That was the game-changer. Sri Lanka executed the chase perfectly. Their first 10 overs with the ball weren’t ideal, but from Travis Head’s dismissal, it was all Sri Lanka.”
Meanwhile, Nissanka has scored 137 runs in three matches of the ongoing T20 World Cup at an average of 68.50 and a strike rate of 159.30. Sri Lanka will play their last Group B match against Zimbabwe at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Thursday.
On the other hand, after Zimbabwe’s match against Ireland was called off due to rain on Tuesday, Australia was knocked out of the tournament. Zimbabwe had earlier stunned Australia by 23 runs and Sikandar Raza’s team has qualified for the Super 8.
