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A splendid maiden ODI century from Pathum Nissanka and a tremendous innings from Kusal Mendis helped Sri Lanka chase down a record total to ease past Australia in the third ODI of the ongoing five-match series at R.Premadas🧸a Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.
After conceding 291 runs in the first half of the game, Nissanka and Mendis set up the inspirational chase for the Islanders. The duo never let the run r𒊎ate down and kept dominating the proceedings. Nissanka and Mendis added 170 runs for the second wicket before the latter got retired hurt.
Mendis scored 87 off 85 balls while Nissanka, who was active on the other end, smashed his maiden century to keep the hosts alive in the chase. The right-handed batter went on to score 137 off 147 balls with the help of 11 fours and 2 sixes before Jhye Richardson dismissed him when the team’s score read 285. Eventually, Sri෴ Lanka finished the proceedings with 10 balls to spare and six wickets in hand.
Earlier, Travis Head and Aaron Finch powered Australia to a competitive total. While Finch smashed 62 off 85 balls at the top, Head provided the finishing ♛touches by smoking an unbeaten 70 off 65 to propel Australia to 291/6 in their allotted 50 overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Pathum Nissanka (137) and Kusal Me𒁏ndis (87) led the charge as Sri Lanka beat Australia by 6 w♓ickets!
Sri Lanka take a 2️⃣-1️⃣ series lead 💪
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC)
Congratulations Pathum Nissanka for the brilliant 100, excellent batting by well🔯 done on winning the third ODI l𝓰et’s keep this up
— Upul Tharanga (@upultharanga44)
Pathum Nissanka's 137 is the highest score for Sri Lanka against Australia in men's ODIs.
Previous highest was 122 by S⭕anat🅘h Jayasuriya in 2003.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
Pathum Nissanka won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant 137 ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚruns against Australia
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet)
🇱🇰 🏏 SRI LANKA WINS BY 6 WICKETS.
This is Sri La🐭nka’s highest successful ODI run chase at🍷 R Premadasa grounds chasing 292 against Australia.
Pathum Nissanka’s master class century of 137 along with Kusal Mendis’ 87 🌳leads to an UNFO🐈RGETTABLE win.
SL leads series 2-1
— Dasuni Athauda (@AthaudaDasuni)
Record Alert : Sri Lanka reco🐻rds highest successful ODI run chase at R Premadasa stadium chasing 292 against Australia. 24 year old Pathum Nissanka scored a mag✨nificent 137 with the support of Kusal Mendis 87. SL lead series 2-1
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen)
One of the finest knocks ever by a Sri Lankan player in ODI, chasing 292 runs, 24-year-old Pathum Nissanka, who had an average of just 21.6 after playing 14 ODI then he scored 137 runs from 147 balls helped Sri La൩nka🦂 to beat Australia by 6 wickets. Take a bow, Pathum Nissanka.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
What a time to bring up y🤪our maiden ODI hundred 👏
Watch the series on (in select regions) 📺
📝 Scorecard:
— ICC (@ICC)
Fantastic Hu✅ndred and maiden ODI Hundred for 24-years old Pathum Nissanka. He scored 100* runs from 123 balls including 7 Fours and 1 Six against Australia while chasing 292 runs. Well played, Nissanka.
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh)
Nissanka deServed to be there in the winning moment but, wha🌟t an innings. Just 🤡brilliant 💗
— maisha (@mycricketera)