**Nissanka Breaks Virat Kohli’s T20 Asia Cup Record**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Sep 27, 2025 | 10:42 AM*
Sri Lanka’s star opener, Pathum Nissanka, has etched his name into the T20 Asia Cup history books by breaking Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli’s record for the most 50-plus scores in the tournament. This remarkable achievement took place during a Super-Four match at Dubai International Stadium on Friday.
Nissanka showcased explosive form, reaching his half-century in just 25 balls and completing a stunning century off 52 balls. His innings of 107 runs from 58 balls was instrumental in Sri Lanka managing to tie the game, which eventually saw India prevail in the Super Over.
### Breaking the Record
This innings marked Nissanka’s fifth 50-plus score in the T20 Asia Cup from 12 innings, surpassing Virat Kohli’s tally of four from nine innings. Players trailing this elite list include Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan (six innings), Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis (12 innings), and India’s Abhishek Sharma (six innings), each with three 50-plus scores.
In a memorable moment, Nissanka celebrated his century with the iconic ‘keep talking’ hand gesture, reminiscent of Kohli’s celebration against Australia in Perth back in 2018.
### Additional Achievements
– **Highest Partnership in T20 Asia Cup History**
Nissanka, alongside Kusal Perera, forged a colossal 127-run partnership — the highest for any wicket in T20 Asia Cup history. This feat broke the previous record of 119 runs set by Kohli and KL Rahul against Afghanistan in 2022.
– **Among Elite T20I Centurions**
Nissanka became only the fourth Sri Lankan to score a century in T20 Internationals and the third batter ever, after Virat Kohli and UAE’s Babar Hayat, to reach this milestone in Asia Cups.
– **Highest Individual T20I Score by a Sri Lankan Against India**
His 107-run knock is the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan against India in T20 Internationals, underscoring his ability to perform on cricket’s biggest platforms.
### Career Highlights
Having played 74 T20Is, Pathum Nissanka has amassed 2,211 runs at an impressive average of 31.58, including 17 fifties and now his maiden T20I century. Across all T20 formats, he boasts 3,933 runs at 29.13, with 28 half-centuries and two centuries.
Notably, Nissanka also crossed a significant milestone in T20 cricket by hitting over 100 sixes. He achieved this landmark with his first six in this match, bringing his total to 105 career sixes in T20s, 59 of which have come in T20 Internationals for Sri Lanka.
—
Pathum Nissanka’s phenomenal performance at the 2025 T20 Asia Cup not only broke records but also affirmed his status as one of the premier batsmen in the shortest format—delivering consistently when it matters the most.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/nissanka-breaks-kohli-s-record-in-t20-asia-cup/story