New Delhi, Feb. 17 -- Pathum Nissanka's unbeaten 100 on Monday powered Sri Lanka into the Twenty20 World Cup Super 8s and left former champion Australia's prospects hanging by a thread.

Sri Lanka beat Australia by eight wickets with two overs to spare. Pavan Rathnayake hit the winning runs one delivery after Nissanka reached his century off 52 balls and was greeted by massive cheers in Pallekele International Stadium.

The third win from three matches ensured Sri Lanka advanced to the second round, two years after failing to do so for the first time at the T20 World Cup in the United States and Caribbean.

A struggling Australia lineup could be knocked out in the group stage for the first time since 2009 if unbeaten Zimbabwe beats Irelan...