Australia falls to Sri Lanka in five-wicket loss in fifth T20 international at MCG

Sri Lanka has pulled off an exciting consolation victory in the fifth and final match of its Twenty20 series against Australia.

Heading into Sunday's match down 4-0, Sri Lanka was lifted to a thrilling five-wicket win thanks to a sublime unbeaten 69 from star batter Kusal Mendis.

Despite some hiccups — including two diabolical run outs — Sri Lanka sneaked past Australia's total of 6-154 with just one ball to spare.

It was opener Mendis' third best T20I score and he received solid support from captain Dasun Shanaka (35) in an 83-run partnership.

Shanaka made the result a certainty when he hooked quick Kane Richardson for a giant six with three balls to go, levelling the scores.

He was bowled the next ball but Chamika Karunaratne was able to bring up the winning run after hitting Daniel Sams — who replaced an injured Richardson — away to square leg.

It means the Australian men's team fell just short of completing an undefeated international summer, with this loss going alongside the drawn Ashes Test at the SCG as a blemish.

Sri Lankan fans packed out the Ponsford Stand at the city end of the MCG to create an electric atmosphere amid a crowd of just 17,566.

Matthew Wade top scored for Australia, smashing an unbeaten 43 from 27 balls to boost the home side after a sluggish start.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Aaron Finch's men struggled to get going as the tourists held the upper hand for most of the innings.

Finch's move back to the top of the order after two games at number three did nothing to shake him out of his form slump, making just 8.

His opening partner Ben McDermott struggled again, surviving a dropped catch and another near-miss before departing for 3 off 13 deliveries.

Australia scored just 2-22 from the first