Dilshan boosts Sri Lanka with maiden T20 ton

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PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan hit a maiden Twenty20 century to help Sri Lanka post a challenging 198-3 in the opening match against Australia on Saturday.

The Sri Lankan captain scored a 57-ball 104 not out, smashing five sixes and 12 fours in a superb display of hard and clean hitting in the day-night match at the Pallekele International Stadium.

Dilshan needed 16 runs to complete his hundred in the last over bowled by paceman Mitchell Johnson, but struck two sixes and as many fours. His second fifty came off just 16 deliveries.

The Sri Lankan captain and Jeevan Mendis (29 not out off 19 balls) plundered 104 runs in the last 7.3 overs to help their team set a stiff target.

Dilshan, who also added 52 for the third wicket with Kumar Sangakkara (30), went for big shots after 15 overs, hitting four boundaries in an over from seamer John Hastings and then two sixes and as many fours off Shane Watson.

Sangakkara was batting confidently before driving Watson straight to skipper Cameron White at mid-wicket. He hit four boundaries in his 22-ball knock.

Fast bowlers Brett Lee, Johnson and Watson each took one wicket.

The second and final Twenty20 game will be played at the same venue on Monday.