Pallekele, Feb. 16 -- Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka pulled off a majestic hundred to help his side defeat Australia and qualify for the Super 8 stage in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup on Monday in Pallekele.

While chasing 182, Nissanka made an outstanding 100* off 52 balls, along with Kusal Mendis' fifty and Pavan Rathnayake's 28 off 15 balls to seal the match for Sri Lanka with two overs left.

Australia were able to get an early breakthrough, dismissing opener Kusal Perera on 1 in the second over. It was Marcus Stoinis who got the wicket, making Perera slice tamely at a short of length delivery and a simple catch to deep backward point.

However, the wicket did not slow Sri Lanka down, as the other opener, Nissanka, took charge and,...