India beats SL in Super-Over thriller

Despite brilliant centuries by Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Janith, Sri Lanka fell to India during the Super Over in their Asia Cup Super 4s match in Dubai yesterday (Sep. 26).

India, batting first, posted 202/5 in 20 overs, the highest total of this year’s tournament.

However, Sri Lanka put up a strong performance, matching India’s 202/5 to force a Super Over, with Nissanka (107) hitting the tournament’s first century off 58 balls, including 06 sixes and 07 fours.  

With this innings, Pathum became the first Sri Lankan batsman to score a Test century, an ODI double century, and a T20I century, also marking the highest T20I score by a Sri Lankan.

The previous record was held by Tillakaratne Dilshan, who scored an unbeaten 104 against Australia in 2011.

Meanwhile, Kusal Janith contributed 68 off 38 balls, forming a 127-run partnership with Nissanka – the third-highest in Sri Lanka T20I history.

02 of them surpassed the record set 16 years ago by Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan, who scored 124 runs.

However, Sri Lanka’s chase later faltered as Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis added only 08 runs combined, sending the match into a Super Over.

Batting first in the Super Over, Sri Lanka managed just 2/2, allowing India to complete the chase with one ball remaining.

This is the 6th time India has won a T20I after a draw.

The tied 202-run match marks only the third time a T20I between two full-member nations has ended with both teams scoring over 200 runs.

However, Nissanka was named Man of the Match.