Sri Lanka put up a spirited fight in their Super Fours clash against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday, September 26. Chasing 203, the islanders gave it their all to keep the contest alive and push India all the way. India had earlier set the target with a total of 202/5. Abhishek Sharma struck 61 off 31 balls, including two sixes and eight boundaries, while Tilak Varma anchored the innings with an unbeaten 49 from 34 balls. Contributions also came from Sanju Samson (39) and Axar Patel (21*). For Sri Lanka, five different bowlers chipped in with one wicket each, with Charith Asalanka and Dushmantha Chameera among the pick.In reply, Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis cheaply, dismissed in the very first over by Hardik Pandya. But Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera steadied the innings with a second-wicket stand of 127 runs. Perera fell for 58 off 32 balls to Varun Chakaravarthy, but the chase stayed alive with Nissanka holding one end.
Most 50-plus scores in T20 Asia Cup
- Pathum Nissanka – 5 (12 innings)*
- Virat Kohli – 4 (9 innings)
- Mohammad Rizwan – 3 (6 innings)
- Kusal Mendis – 3 (12 innings)
- Abhishek Sharma – 3 (6 innings)
With his incredible innings of 107 runs in 58 balls, Nissanka registered his fifth half-century in the Asia Cup T20 format. In doing so, he surpassed Virat Kohli’s tally of four fifties, becoming the player with the most 50-plus scores in the tournament’s history. Kohli had set his mark in just nine innings, but Nissanka has now gone one clear with five from 12 innings.He also snatched another record from Kohli and KL Rahul, becoming the owner of the biggest partnership for any wicket thanks to the 127-run partnership between Nissanka and Kusal Parera. This bettered the 119 runs added by Kohli and KL Rahul against Afghanistan in 2022.Moreover, the century by Nissanka is also the highest score by a Sri Lankan against India in T20Is. He breached the 100-run mark against India in just 52 balls. This was also his first T20I ton.
Poll
Who was the standout player for Sri Lanka in their chase against India?
The record showed just how consistent and crucial the the opener has been in the format, especially on big stages like the Asia Cup, where his skill continues to stand out.
