Pallekele, February 12, 2026 – In a clinical display of power-hitting and disciplined bowling, co-hosts Sri Lanka crushed Oman by 105 runs at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The victory, fueled by half-centuries from Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Mendis, and Pavan Rathnayake, propels Sri Lanka to the top of Group B in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Sri Lanka’s Batting Blitz: 225/5 Sets New Records
After being put in to bat by Oman captain Jatinder Singh, Sri Lanka’s top order initially faced a minor hiccup with the early loss of Kamil Mishara. However, the momentum shifted rapidly as Kusal Mendis (61 off 45) anchored the innings, allowing Pavan Rathnayake to play the aggressor.
Rathnayake, who recently scored his maiden ODI century, continued his dream run with a blistering 60 off 28 balls. The duo shared a 94-run stand that effectively took the game away from Oman.
Stat Alert: Dasun Shanaka smashed a 19-ball half-century, the fastest-ever by a Sri Lankan in T20 World Cup history, surpassing Mahela Jayawardene’s 2007 record.
The finishing touches were applied by captain Dasun Shanaka, whose late-innings carnage (50 off 20 balls, 5 sixes) guided Sri Lanka to a mammoth 225/5, their fourth-highest total in tournament history.
Oman’s Chase Crumbles Under Lights
Chasing a daunting target of 226, Oman’s top order fell victim to the pace of Dushmantha Chameera (2/19) and the precision of Maheesh Theekshana (2/11). The Powerplay saw Oman reduced to 36/3, a position from which they never recovered.
The only shining light for the visitors was veteran Mohammad Nadeem. At 43 years old, Nadeem became the oldest player to score a half-century in Men’s T20 World Cup history, finishing with a resilient 53* off 56 balls. Despite his efforts, Oman finished their 20 overs at 120/9.
Match Summary Table
| Team | Score | Top Performer (Batting) | Top Performer (Bowling) |
| Sri Lanka | 225/5 (20) | K. Mendis (61), P. Rathnayake (60) | M. Theekshana (2/11) |
| Oman | 120/9 (20) | M. Nadeem (53*) | J. Ramanandi (2/41) |
Player of the Match: Pavan Rathnayake
Road to Super 8s
With two wins in two games, Sri Lanka is firmly in the driver’s seat for a Super 8 spot. Their dominant net run rate (NRR) will be a significant advantage as the group stage progresses. Oman, conversely, must win their remaining fixtures to stay alive in the competition.
Captain’s Corner:
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Dasun Shanaka (SL): “The batters stepped up brilliantly on a good surface. We’re building momentum at the right time.”
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Jatinder Singh (OMA): “Sri Lanka were clinical. 225 proved too much, but we will regroup.”
Stay tuned to PingTV for more exclusive coverage, player interviews, and match highlights from the T20 World Cup 2026.
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