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Anyone who doubted Pathum Nissanka’s T20 abilities was put to rest, as the right-handed opener smashed a sizzling 52-ball century against India, on September 26 (Friday). Sri Lanka were chasing history, as they had never before chased any total above 200 in the shortest format.
With nothing to lose, Nissanka took on the Indian bowlers in a near-perfect innings, smashing 47 runs within the powerplay, with three sixes and four fours. But the problem for Nissanka has often been outside the powerplay.
However, on the night, Nissanka remained unfazed across phases, taking on India’s quality spin unit. First, the right-hander smashed Varun Chakarvarthy for a six before reigniting his spark against Harshit Rana, hitting him for a six and a four in the same over.
Unfortunately for India, Nissanka never seemed to stop as he stitched up a 127-run partnership with Kusal Perera, the highest for any wicket in Asia Cup T20Is history. While wickets fell for fun at the other end, it never bothered the Sri Lankan opener, who carried on his merry ways, smashing the first-ever century against India in the T20 Asia Cup.
Not just that, the young opener also became the first-ever Sri Lankan batter to score a century against India in the shortest format. It was only the third-ever hundred in the T20 Asia Cup, after Babar Hayat (Hong Kong) and Virat Kohli (India).
Hundred in T20 Asia Cup
122 - Babar Hayat (HK) vs OMA, Fatullah, 2016
122* - Virat Kohli (IND) vs AFG, Dubai, 2022
101* - Pathum Nissanka (SL) vs IND, Dubai, 2025*
Century for Sri Lanka in T20Is
100 - M Jayawardene vs ZIM, 2010 WC
104* - T Dilshan vs AUS, 2011
101 - Kusal Perera vs NZ, 2025
101* - Pathum Nissanka vs IND, 2025*
Nissanka brought up his century with a six, and followed it with an extravagant celebration, almost signalling his doubters to go silent. It was the first-ever century against India in a multi-team tournament. Ultimately, his innings was enough to help Sri Lanka level the game and take the clash to extra time.