Pathum Nissanka becomes second Sri Lankan with 2,500 T20I runs
What's the story
Star Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka has become the second batter from his country to complete 2,500 runs in T20I cricket. The 27-year-old reached the landmark en route to his match-winning 100* in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup encounter against Australia at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Nissanka joined Kusal Mendis, who went past the 2,500-run mark earlier in the ongoing tourney.
Knock
A brilliand hand from Nissanka
Chasing 182 for victory, SL lost opener Kusal Perera (1) cheaply. However, a 97-run stand between Kusal Mendis (51) and Nissanka put the Lankans in command. The former further added 79 runs with Pavan Rathnayake (15-ball 28*) as SL (184/2) prevailed in 18 overs. Nissanka's unbeaten 100 runs off 52 balls was laced with 10 fours and five sixes.
Stats
19 50-plus scores in the format
Nissanka, who made his T20I debut in 2021, has now raced to 2,574 runs across 87 games in the format. While he averages 31.77, his strike rate is 128.63. Notably, the 27-year-old also became the first batter from his country to hammer multiple T20I tons (50s:18). As per ESPNcricinfo, Nissanka has the joint-most 50-plus scores for SL in T20Is (20).
T20 WCs
Over 600 runs in T20 WCs
622 of Nissanka's runs have come in 21 T20 WC games as he now averages 31.10 in the tourney. His tally includes five fifties besides this ton. Meanwhile, the batter now has 860 runs in home T20Is at 34.40. In away games, he averages 27.29 for 737 runs. He has tallied 977 runs in neutral matches at 33.68.