Dubai: Pathum Nissanka began the T20 Asia Cup with half-centuries in Sri Lanka’s first two games, before going off the boil. His diminishing returns mirrored his team’s fortunes as the 2014 T20 World Cup winners lost their first two Super Four matches and crashed out of the tournament, but with only pride on the line against India, the opener made a spectacular return to form on Friday night.

Faced with the stiffest target of the tournament after India rode on another special half-century from Abhishek Sharma to post 202 for five, Nissanka tore into a bowling attack missing Jasprit Bumrah (rested) and Hardik Pandya (who left the field after just one over) to register a stunning maiden T20I hundred, an innings of the highest quality at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Nissanka fel

See Full Page