Sri Lanka cricket team opener Pathum Nissanka showcased his finesse in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup Super 4 clash against India on Saturday, September 27. Notably, the match went past midnight (IST). Chasing a stiff target of 203 runs, Nissanka led the way for his side with a crisp 107-run knock. However, the Lankans couldn’t cross the line and ended up forcing a tie. The Lankans managed 202/5 as the match went into Super Over. India then won the Super Over, chasing down a three-run target off the 1st ball faced.
Despite being a dead rubber, this contest produced everything fans hoped for. India, who remain unbeaten in the 2025 Asia Cup, will face Pakistan in the final.
Nissanka hammers a ton versus India
The talented multi-format batter was the chief architect for the Lankans in the first six overs. The Lankans scored 72/1 in the powerplay. Alongside Kusal Perera, opening batsman Nissanka added 65 runs in this phase. Earlier, Kusal Mendis departed for a duck as Sri Lanka were reduced to 7/1.
Nissanka, who got to a fifty off 25 balls, continued with his exploits alongside Perera. The pair added a record-breaking 127 runs for the 2nd wicket. This was Sri Lanka’s maiden century-plus stand against India in T20Is. After Perera’s dismissal, Nissanka continued to get crucial runs, but India hit back and picked a couple of wickets.
Nissanka got to his ton in the 17th over with a four. However, he ended up facing only six balls next and scored six runs besides losing his wicket.
Maiden century for Nissanka in T20Is
This was Nissanka’s maiden ton in T20Is. In 74 matches, the right-handed batter owns 2211 runs at an average of 31.58, as per ESPNcricinfo. Apart from 1 century, he has hit 17 fifties.
Nissanka becomes 4th Sri Lankan batter with a century in T20Is
Nissanka has become the 4th Sri Lankan batter with a hundred in T20Is. The first Sri Lankan batter with a century in T20I cricket was Mahela Jayawardene. He had smashed 100 versus Zimbabwe in the 2010 ICC T20 World Cup. Tillakaratne Dilshan became the 2nd centurion for the Lankans, scoring an unbeaten 104 versus Australia in 2011. Meanwhile, Perera became the 3rd to do so. He hammered a century against New Zealand in 2025. He scored 101 runs.
Sri Lankan batters with a century in T20I cricket:
100 – M Jayawardene vs Zimbabwe, 2010 T20 WC
104* – T Dilshan vs Australia, 2011
101 – Kusal Perera vs New Zealand, 2025
107 – Pathum Nissanka vs India, 2025
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