Sri Lanka‘s batting depth was on full display in Pallekele on February 12, 2026, as they delivered a clinical performance to dismantle Oman in a high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 clash. The co-hosts’ dominant showing was spearheaded by historic half-centuries that rewrote the record books and set the highest team total of the tournament so far. Their ruthless assault propelled the Lions to a massive 225/5, leaving Oman with a mountainous task that proved impossible under the lights. This 105-run victory not only cements Sri Lanka’s dominance in Group B but also sends a stern warning to the rest of the competition about their destructive potential.

T20 World Cup 2026: Dasun Shanaka and Pawan Rathnayake ignite Pallekele with record-breaking blasts

The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium witnessed a masterclass in power-hitting as Pavan Rathnayake and Dasun Shanaka combined to tear the Oman bowling attack apart. After the early loss of the openers, Ratnayake played a breakout innings that announced his arrival on the world stage, smashing a blistering 60 off just 28 deliveries. The 23-year-old was particularly savage against the spin of Wasim Ali, using his feet to clear the ropes with ease and reaching his maiden T20I fifty in just 24 balls.

However, the real carnage began when the captain, Dasun Shanaka, strode to the crease; he produced a career-defining performance by reaching his half-century in just 19 balls, the fastest ever by a Sri Lankan in T20 World Cup history. Shanaka’s onslaught included five towering sixes, many of which landed in the top tiers of the grandstand, as he single-handedly added 50 runs in a 20-ball stay. This brutal display of death-overs batting saw Sri Lanka loot 65 runs from the final four overs, effectively ending the contest before the second innings even began.

Player of the Match: Pavan Rathnayake #SLvOMA #T20WorldCup #cricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/nFp760QUUF

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 12, 2026

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Dasun Shanaka equals Rohit Sharma’s record and breaks Mahela Jayawardene’s with an explosive knock vs Oman

T20 World Cup 2026: Sri Lanka’s clinical bowling display leaves Oman reeling in massive chase

Defending a mammoth total of 226, the Sri Lankan bowlers never allowed Oman a moment of respite, executing their plans with surgical precision to secure a 105-run win. The pace duo of Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana set the tone early, with Chameera’s extra bounce accounting for both openers within the powerplay. Oman’s chase quickly turned into a struggle for survival as Maheesh Theekshana strangled the middle order with his mystery spin, finishing with figures of 2/10 and leaving the batters completely bamboozled.

Despite a valiant, record-breaking fifty from the 43-year-old Mohammad Nadeem, who became the oldest player to score a T20 World Cup half-century, the required run rate ballooned past 15 runs per over by the halfway mark. Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis cleaned up the tail with clinical efficiency, restricting Oman to a meager 120/9 in their allotted 20 overs. The sheer gap in quality between the two sides was evident as the Lankans wrapped up the victory with over five overs of effective play to spare, boosting their Net Run Rate to the top of the table.

Sri Lanka registers big win over Oman 🏏#cricket #SLvOMA #T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/zAB0xdPYyv

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 12, 2026

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