Sri Lanka thrashed Oman by 105 runs in their Group B match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 225 for 5, powered by half-centuries from Kusal Mendis (61 off 45), Pavan Rathnayake (60 off 28) and captain Dasun Shanaka (50 off 20).
Oman struck early, removing Kamil Mishara for 8, and Pathum Nissanka for 13. Rathnayake and Mendis then built a partnership to keep the run rate high. Shanaka’s late assault, including five sixes, pushed Sri Lanka to a commanding total.
In response, Oman struggled against disciplined bowling. Top-order wickets fell quickly, with Aamir Kaleem out for 6 and Jatinder Singh for 1. Mohammad Nadeem remained unbeaten on 53, while Wasim Ali scored 27.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers restricted Oman to 120 for 9 in 20 overs. Dushmantha Chameera took 2 for 19, Maheesh Theekshana 2 for 11, and Dunith Wellalage contributed with key breakthroughs. Run-outs and catches further hampered Oman’s chase.
Sri Lanka’s win keeps them on track in Group B and highlights their strong performance in the tournament’s early stages.
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*, Wasim Ali 27; Maheesh Theekshana 2-11, Dushmantha Chameera 2-19) by 105 runs.
–IANS
