Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka has etched his name in the annals of Asia Cup history, surpassing Virat Kohli in two significant records during the Super Four match against India on September 26, 2025. Nissanka's remarkable performance not only showcased his talent but also highlighted his growing stature in international cricket.
During Sri Lanka's spirited chase against India, where they were pursuing a target of 203, Nissanka played a pivotal role. He forged a crucial 127-run partnership with Kusal Perera, setting a new record for the highest partnership for any wicket in T20 Asia Cup history. This surpassed the previous record of 119 runs held by Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, achieved against Afghanistan in 2022.
Furthermore, Nissanka's magnificent innings of 107 runs, achieved in just 58 balls, marked his fifth half-century in the T20 Asia Cup format. In doing so, he overtook Virat Kohli's previous record of four fifties, becoming the player with the most 50-plus scores in the tournament's history. Nissanka reached this milestone in 12 innings, while Kohli had set his record in just nine.
In addition to these feats, Nissanka also joined an elite list of players to score a T20I century in the Asia Cup, alongside Virat Kohli and Babar Hayat. His century was only the third ever in the T20 Asia Cup. He became the first Sri Lankan to score a century against India in T20Is, and his score is the highest by a Sri Lankan against India in the format.
Nissanka's century was particularly significant as it was his maiden T20I ton. He reached the century mark in just 52 balls, demonstrating his aggressive and dominant batting style. Despite his outstanding performance, the match ended in a tie, with India ultimately winning in the Super Over. Nevertheless, Nissanka was named Player of the Match for his exceptional innings.
Nissanka's achievements in the Asia Cup 2025 underscore his consistency and importance to the Sri Lankan team, especially in high-pressure situations. With this feat, Nissanka now has 434 runs in 12 innings, surpassing Kohli's 429 runs to become the leading run-scorer in Men's T20 Asia Cup history. At 27 years old, Nissanka has also become the fourth Sri Lankan to score a century in all three formats of the game. His recent form across all formats has been remarkable, establishing him as a key player for Sri Lanka.
