Sri Lanka outclass Oman in T20 World Cup demolition job

Batting first, Sri Lanka started slowly but powered to 225/5 in front of their home fans before restricting Oman to 120/9 in their allotment.

Chasing the highest score of the 2026 World Cup so far was perhaps always going to be out of reach for associate nation Oman. And any illusions of grandeur were obliterated after they lost two wickets in the first seven balls, openers Aamier Kaleem and Jatinder Singh back in the hut at 12/2.

The Sri Lankan attack took wickets at regular intervals and it became clear Oman were there to try bat out the overs and gain important experience for later in the tournament. Middle-order batters Mohammad Nadeem (53 not out) and Wasim Ali (27 off 20) provided the only resistance to the hosts' varied bowling unit.

Earlier, Oman surprised all with a strike up front. Spinner Jay Odedra changed his pace beautifully to get through Kamil Mishara’s defences in the second over.

While Sri Lanka lost their other opener in Pathum Nissanka (13) cheaply, leaving them 42/2, it was Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake who took the game away from Oman. The pair put on 94 off just 52 balls, with Rathnayake being the chief destroyer. The right-hander bludgeoned eight fours and a six for his 60 off 28 balls before finally falling to Jiten Ramanandi.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka picked up where Rathnayake left off, blasting five maximums before holing out at long-on for a blitz 50 off 20.

A couple of late strikes from Kamindu Mendis took Sri Lanka well past the 220 mark to give Oman scant hope of an upset.