Sri Lanka laid down the marker at the T20 World Cup 2026 with a 105-run win over Oman in Kandy on Thursday. With the Lankan batters in punishing mood, the co-hosts scored the 225 for five, the highest total at this T20 World Cup and the fourth highest in Men’s T20 World Cup history. They, then, restricted Oman to 120 for nine to register a dominant victory.
Oman captain Jatinder Singh won the toss and elected to field on Thursday. Though Sri Lanka lost two early wickets, that of Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka, they were off to a brisk start, ending powerplay on 58 for two.
Wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake made merry on a good batting track. Their 94-run partnership, off 52 balls, gave the co-hosts the ideal launch pad. Rathnayake was the more aggressive of the two, hitting eight fours and a six for 60 off 28 balls.
Captain Dasun Shanaka picked up the baton from Rathnayake, launching some big hits against a beleaguered Oman attack. With the help of five sixes and two fours, he reached a half-century in just 19 balls, recording Sri Lanka’s fastest T20I fifty.
At the other end, Mendis played the perfect foil for the power hitters in the team, scoring a steady 61 off 45 balls. Sri Lanka hammered 129 runs in the last 10 overs, including 17 runs in the final over to charge past the 200-mark.
The Oman bowlers were carted around the park, with five of the six bowlers going at more than 10 an over. Jiten Ramanandi claimed two wickets, while Odedra and Mehmood picked one each.
Oman skipper Jatinder rues lack of experience
Oman captain Jatinder Singh said a lack of experience was the reason for the poor show by his players. “Hardly anything we can do with the skill level. If you see our squad, there are hardly four-five players with 40+ T20I experience. There is lack of experience, there are no games, we are not part of the FTP. We play ODIs but not a lot of T20s. Our coaches are trying to pace up things but certain things are not in our control. We will get the exposure and experience only by playing,” he said.
Faced with a towering task, Oman faltered early on and were 36 for three in the first six overs. Dushmantha Chameera gave Sri Lanka the perfect start, as he bowled Singh in the first over with a peach of a delivery that hit the top of the stumps. With the scoreboard pressure building, Aamir Kaleem and Hammad Mirza also fell on single-digit scores.
Oman stemmed the collapse with a 42-run stand between Mohammad Nadeem and Wasim Ali but the runs were not coming fast enough to pressure back on the Lankan bowlers. Nadeem gave the visiting side something to celebrate as he scored an unbeaten half-century, 53 off 56 balls.
For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the bowlers. He conceded only 11 runs while claming the wickets of Kareem and Ali.
“Very pleased the way we batted today. Used the conditions very well. Kusal and Pavan planned the innings well with Kamindu and myself gave the finishing touches. It is more of the way we wanted to play. With the conditions, we will use them well in the future. Very hard to replace Wanindu. He is a champion bowler. Hemantha has been in the side for a while and has played a few games here and there. Harder for him to have an impact straightaway but I am sure he will do well. Confidence with the batting is important. Batters taking it deep was a concern. Really happy with the way Kusal went in the last two games. Each batter chipping in at the right time is important. Hopefully Pathum Nissanka will fire,” said Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka.
“Wicket played very well today. I played my normal game. I like playing spin but I try to rotate the strike. Mood in the team is very well, everyone supports each other,” said Player of the Match Pavan Rathnayake.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 225/5 (Kusal Mendis 61, Pavan Rathnayake 60, Dasun Shanaka 50; Jiten Ramanandi 2/41) beat Oman 120/9 (Mohammad Nadeem 53 no, Wasim Ali 27; Dushmantha Chameera 2/19, Maheesh Theekshana 2/11).
