Online Reporter
Co‑hosts Sri Lanka produced a commanding display to claim a massive 105‑run victory against Oman, making it two wins from two matches at the T20 World Cup.
That win leaves the Chevrons third in group B, with Sri Lanka first and Australia second.
Rapid half-centuries from Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka helped Sri Lanka post a formidable 225 – the highest total at the 2026 tournament so far.
Associate nation Oman mustered little response with the bat as they huffed and puffed to 120-9.
Walking in with Sri Lanka at 136-3 in the 14th over, Shanaka, under pressure after recent poor form, unleashed a sensational late surge, smashing two fours and five sixes on his way to a19-ball 50.
It was the fastest fifty by a Sri Lankan in T20 internationals, surpassing his own previous mark of 20 balls against India in Pune in 2023.
Earlier, after losing openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara inside the powerplay, Rathnayake’s 28-ball 60 and Kusal Mendis’ composed 61 off 45 had set the perfect platform for Shanaka’s onslaught as he took them to 225-5, the second‑highest total for Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup history.
Already staring at a huge defeat at the halfway stage, only two batters reached double figures for Oman – Muhammad Nadeem and Wasim Ali.
While 40-year-old Nadeem needed 52 runs to reach his half-century and remained unbeaten on 53, Wasim departed for a 20-ball 27 as Oman fell well short of the target.
Sri Lanka, who beat Ireland by 20 runs in their opener, will take on Australia next at the same venue on Monday while Oman, who suffered their second defeat, will face Ireland in Colombo on Saturday. – BBC Sport
