Summary

  • Sri Lanka chase down 182 for loss of just two wickets - report

  • Nissanka hits 52-ball century and takes stunning catch

  • Australia's hopes hanging by a thread following defeat

  • They need Ireland to beat Zimbabwe on Tuesday to retain hope

  • Australia lose last five wickets for seven runs in slumping to 181 all out

  • Openers share 104-run stand before collapse

  • Hemantha takes three wickets as SL fight back

Have your say on the Men's T20 World Cup

Live Reporting

by Timothy Abraham

  1. Join us on Tuesday...

    Nissaka hits stunning 52-ball century

    Nissanka takes incredible catch to remove Maxwell

    Well, well, well. What a thrilling World Cup this is turning out to be.

    Sri Lanka wrap up a stunning victory over Australia which has left their opponents on the brink of elimination. Scroll down for all of the reaction.

    Zimbabwe have two bites of the cherry - if the beat either Ireland tomorrow or Sri Lanka on Thursday then they are through. Australia need snookers.

    Be sure to read Adwaidh Rajan's match report from this one...

    We will, of course, be back tomorrow with live coverage from the Pallekele Cricket Stadium as Ireland face Zimbabwe at 09:30 with ball-by-ball coverage on Test Match Special.

    Plenty of stories for your attention if you are after more cricket between now and then:

    See you soon...

  2. 'Everyone wanted to contribute today'

    'You absolute beauty!' Nissanka hits another six

    Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka: "One of the best performances in the recent times. Really happy with how the proceedings went.

    "We were still very positive after losing [Matheesha Pathirana] in the powerplay. We had the confidence and knew about the wicket. Each and everyone showed a good body language today. And everyone wanted to contribute somehow.

    "Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushan Hemantha all of them delivered.

    "Missing Wanindu Hasaranga and now Pathirana is a big miss. Hasaranga used to always deliver, but it's good to have some cover. But we need to take good things from here. Happy with the way things went, especially Pathum's [Nissanka] ton.

    "We hope to continue like this in the tournament. It's wonderful to qualify after many years. It's a good team. We should go to the next round and hopefully make to the semis. Thanks to the massive crowd today."

  3. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    When you look at that Australian side – is it a team of what they were once were?

    They are not once what they were.

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    Don’t forget Sri Lanka lost a strike bowler as well! Fantastic game to watch and congratulations to them and Pathum Nissanka.

    Neil, Leeds

  5. 'In the lap of the gods now'

    Mitchell Marsh of Australia gives the team instructionsGetty Images

    Australia captain Mitchell Marsh: "I thought it was a competitive total at the halfway mark but with the start we had maybe a few short. Pretty down but well played to Sri Lanka.

    "We know that at our best we can make big scores but lost our way a little bit at the end and Sri Lanka bowled well. Not much more to say other than Sri Lanka outplayed us.

    "It's a devastated group. We are in the lap of gods now. We haven't been at our best. We will watch the Zimbabwe vs Ireland game and hope."

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    Well done Sri Lanka, brilliant performance and a superb knock by Pathum Nissanka. I'd rather been an Englishman than an Aussie at the moment!

    Kevin

  7. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    You would have thought Sri Lanka would qualify anyway, but not in the manner they have done.

    They have got better and better throughout this tournament.

    Winning in the manner they have done, gives them a boost.

  8. 'Happy to get 100 and get the team home'

    Pathum Nissanka of Sri Lanka walks offGetty Images

    Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka: "The wicket was pretty good today and allowed me to play my normal game. I am happy to get 100 and get the team home.

    "We needed a good powerplay and I got a good partnership with Kusal Mendis, and we were able to continue from there. Then it was about seeing it through."

    On the wicket getting better: "Usually, it's a bit easier chasing at Pallekele, and it did seem to get better. Not much dew.

    "It was waiting for the ball to come to my strength and I was happy that I got several of those balls – then I was able to hit those boundaries."

  9. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    The powerplay was an utter shambles for Sri Lanka. It could not have gone any worse. But did they turn it around. It will give Sri Lanka so much confidence.

    They will be dancing round that dressing room tonight. Tomorrow they have to be back grounded and look to their next game.

  10. Get Involved - 'Great tournament'

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    Lots of negative comments earlier about England, but they have qualified, losing just once. Australia are on the brink of elimination having been defeated by Zimbabwe and then Sri Lanka, whom England beat 3-0 last month. Let's enjoy the fact that anyone can beat anyone. Great tournament.

    David

  11. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Truly remarkable for Sri Lanka. Unbelievable, especially playing Australia. They're the second-best team in the world.

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    Mitch Marsh shakes handsGetty Images

    I'm 46, and I love it when Australia loses because in my life it's rare.

    Gary, Northallerton

  13. Australia will be eliminated if Zimbabwe beat Ireland on this ground tomorrow.

    You suspect there may be a few Sri Lankans along to watch...

  14. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    This is exactly the result that everybody wanted to keep this group alive until the very end of the group stage.

    Australia - I can't believe it. With the position they were in from 8.3 overs, they were 104-1.

    I can believe how consistently they lost wickets.

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    It’s usually England that gets in this sort of trouble. It’s kind of reassuring that it’s happening to the mighty Aussies.

    Steve

  16. champagne moment

    SRI LANKA WIN BY EIGHT WICKETS

    Winning moment as Sri Lanka win leaving Australia facing exit

    The crowd erupts at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium as Sri Lanka notch up victory a ball later when Pavan Rathnayake wallops Adam Zampa down through square leg.

  17. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    What a knock from Pathum Nissanka:

    • 52 balls
    • 10 fours
    • 5 sixes

    Sri Lanka have galloped to victory. They have made it look easy. The Australians are shellshocked.

  18. 100 runs

    Century for Nissanka

    Nissaka hits stunning 52-ball century

    What an incredible knock by Pathum Nissanka!

    The first hundred of the T20 World Cup.

  19. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    This has been an innings for the ages.

  20. SL 179-2

    Pathum Nissanka on to 97 no with another four through deep mid-wicket thanks to a powerful slog sweep off Adam Zampa.

    The crowd at the Pallekele Cricket Stadium.