Sri Lanka seal Super 8s spot
Pathum Nissanka produced a brilliant century, scoring 100 from 52 balls, while Kusal Mendis chipped in with a fluent 51.
KATHMANDU: Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign is hanging by a thread after a heavy eight-wicket loss to Sri Lanka — a result that locked their opponents into the same Super 8s group as England.
The 2021 champions now need a very specific set of results to go their way just to stay alive in the tournament.
They’re relying on Zimbabwe losing to Ireland on Tuesday and then to Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Even if that happens, Australia must beat Oman in their final group match and boost their net run rate above both Ireland and Zimbabwe to sneak into the next round.
Australia’s total of 181 looked competitive after captain Mitchell Marsh smashed 54 off 27 balls in his first appearance of the tournament, returning after recovering from testicular bleeding.
He put on a rapid 104-run opening stand with Travis Head, who made 56 from 29 deliveries.
But the innings unraveled dramatically at the end, with Australia losing their final five wickets for just seven runs.
Sri Lanka’s reply was calm and ruthless. Pathum Nissanka produced a brilliant century, scoring 100 from 52 balls, while Kusal Mendis chipped in with a fluent 51.
The pair added 97 for the second wicket, putting the chase firmly on track before Nissanka finished the job alongside Pavan Rathnayake, guiding Sri Lanka home with two overs to spare.
The win made it three from three for Sri Lanka and booked their place in Super 8s Group 2, where they are expected to be joined by New Zealand and Pakistan.
For Australia, it’s now a nervous wait. After losing to Zimbabwe following an opening win over Ireland, their fate is no longer in their own hands — and their hopes of defending their 2021 crown are fading fast.
