![Highest T20I scores by Sri Lanka batters [Source: @ImTanujSingh, @_Naviya_/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1758921992093_sri_lanka.jpg?type=hq)
Highest T20I scores by Sri Lanka batters [Source: @ImTanujSingh, @_Naviya_/x]
Pathum Nissanka went berserk against Team India in the final Super Four match of the 2025 Asia Cup in Dubai. Facing 58 deliveries in a stiff chase of 203 runs, the Sri Lankan opener clattered his career-best score of 107, thus registering his maiden hundred in the T20I format.
Nissanka also managed to notch up a huge Sri Lankan batting record by listing one of their highest T20I individual scores in history. Celebrating Pathum Nissanka’s fighting knock, here is a look at five of the highest individual scores ever recorded by Sri Lanka batters in T20Is.
5. Mahela Jayawardene – 98* vs West Indies, 2010
Mere four days after tonking the first-ever century by any Sri Lankan batter in history, all-time great Mahela Jayawardene nearly pulled off his second successive hundred, scoring 98* runs off 56 balls against the West Indies in the Group F match of the 2010 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. Opening the innings with Sanath Jayasuriya, Jayawardene launched four huge sixes and nine elegant boundaries as Sri Lanka mounted a match-winning total of 195-3 in 20 overs. The legendary Sri Lankan batter was also adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ for his efforts.
4. Mahela Jayawardene – 100 vs Zimbabwe, 2010
Mahela Jayawardene made 100 from 64 balls against Zimbabwe in the Group B match of the 2010 T20 World Cup to register the first-ever century by any Sri Lankan cricketer in history. The legendary opener hauled 10 fours and four sixes in Providence, and nearly batted throughout the innings before falling to Ray Price in the penultimate over. Jayawardene’s Providence epic helped Sri Lanka climb to 173-7 in 20 overs, allowing them to win by 14 runs (D/L method) to fly into the next stage of the tournament.
3. Kusal Perera – 101 vs New Zealand, 2025
In Sri Lanka’s first-ever T20I century in over a decade, blistering number three Kusal Perera rained down 101 runs off just 46 balls against New Zealand in Nelson in January 2025. The broad-shouldered left-handed batter slapped 13 fours and four maximums after the early fall of both openers to steer Sri Lanka to a commanding 218-5 in 20 overs. Hosts New Zealand put up a fight, but fell short in the slog overs to hand Sri Lanka a consolation win after claiming the series. Kusal Perera fittingly bagged the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his match-winning masterclass.
2. Tillakaratne Dilshan – 104* vs Australia, 2011
Legendary Sri Lanka opener Tillakaratne Dilshan bludgeoned 104* in just 57 balls in the first T20I of their two-match series against Australia at home back in August 2011. The explosive right-handed batter smeared 12 boundaries and five huge sixes at the Pallekele International Stadium against the likes of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson as Sri Lanka reached 198-3 in 20 overs. Sri Lanka ended up winning the match by 35 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
1. Pathum Nissanka – 107 vs India, 2025
Attacking opening batter Pathum Nissanka nearly pulled off a heist for the ages by raining down 107 runs from just 58 balls against Team India in the final Super Four match of the 2025 Asia Cup in Dubai. The innings helped him record Sri Lanka’s only fourth ever T20I century, and the first while batting second in a game. Chasing 203 runs, Pathum Nissanka belted seven fours and six sixes and formed a threatening partnership with Kusal Perera for the second wicket.
However, a spirited fightback from India bowlers undid Nissanka’s effort as Sri Lanka lost the match in the resulting Super Over.
