IND vs SL: Pathum Nissanka Enters ELITE List That Also Features None Other Than Virat Kohli

India and Sri Lanka faced off in the last Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 game and what was supposed to be a match that would have no impact turned out to be a thriller. India were already through to the final where they are taking on Pakistan while Sri Lanka were out of the race. But this supposedly drab affair proved to be the most exciting game of Asia Cup 2025. One man made it truly special and that’s Pathum Nissanka.

After India made 202/5, Sri Lanka also finished on the exact same score prompting a Super Over. Sri Lanka could only set a target of three which India took one ball to finish. India’s Asia Cup 2025 winning streak continued with five wins in five games while Sri Lanka, who won all their Group B matches, lost in all three outings in the Super 4. But Nissanka had made his way into the history books.

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Pathum Nissanka Scripts History vs India in Asia Cup Super 4

Nissanka became the highest individual T20I scorer for Sri Lanka. He also hit the first 100 in Asia Cup 2025. It may remain the only one in this edition unless someone scores a century in the final between India and Pakistan on September 28. In scoring a century, Nissanka also joined a very special group in Asia Cup history. Virat Kohli is also a part of that group.

The Sri Lankan batter is only the third player to hit a century in an Asia Cup T20I game. The last to do so was Virat Kohli when he made 122 not out vs Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2022. The first to do it was Hong Kong’s Babar Hayat who did it in 2016 vs Oman. While Hayat’s ton came in the qualifying round, both Kohli and Nissanka did it in the Super 4. Kohli’s Asia Cup T20I 100 is the only time he has made it to three figures in that format.

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Pathum Nissanka’s Special Innings vs India in Asia Cup 2025 Super 4

Nissanka’s 107 runs came in 58 balls. He hit seven fours and six sixes. While he was there, Sri Lanka looked set to chase down their target of 203. A second-wicket stand of 127 with Kusal Perera (58) threatened to take the game away from India before the defending champions fought back. Nissanka fell on the first ball of the 20th over and was the fifth to go. At that stage, Sri Lanka needed 12 from 5. They got 11 and the game was tied. The Super Over was easily won by India.

Had Nissanka stayed on, the odds are India would have been subjected to a first-ever defeat in Asia Cup 2025 which would have hurt their morale ahead of the final. Sri Lanka’s campaign may be over but Nissanka has earned his place in Asia Cup history. He played an innings that will never be forgotten even though it was ultimately in vain. Not to mention the fact that he joined Kohli in an exclusive club as well.