SL vs AUS, 2nd T20I: Australia hold their nerve to beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets

2nd T20I: Australia have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead against Sri Lanka in the three-match T20I series. Matthew Wade's run-a-ball 26 helped Australia beat Sri Lanka after a collapse.

Australia held their nerve to beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in the second T20I at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday. With the win, the T20 World champions have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead against Sri Lanka.

Australia were in all sorts of trouble while chasing a below-par target of 125, thanks to Wanindu Hasaranga's four-wicket haul. The Aaron Finch-led side, who had crushed Sri Lanka a day before, were reduced to 99/7 inside 12 overs. However, Matthew Wade's run-a-ball 26 not out took the Down Under side home with 13 balls remaining.

Sri Lanka suffered an early collapse after being put into bat first. Jhye Richardson and Glenn Maxwell struck early to dent Sri Lanka's top-order. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Danushka Gunathilaka, who were the notable run scorers in the previous match, returned to the dugout cheaply.

Charith Asalanka and Kusal Mendis tried to rebuild the innings but their stay was cut short. Sri Lanka were restricted to 124/9, with Kane Richardson returning with 4/30, while Jhye and Maxwell took three and two wickets each.

Finch and David Warner, who had both scored fifties in the first T20I, failed to go big. The likes of Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith were dismissed in quick succession as Sri Lankan bowlers continued to make inroads in a low-scoring game. It was Wade, the Player of the Match, and Jhye who fought back and secured the series for Australia.