Sri Lanka has put the rest of the T20 World Cup teams on high alert. In their Group B clash this morning (Thursday, February 12), the co-hosts absolutely dismantled Oman, winning by a massive 105 runs at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.
If you missed the action while you were getting to work, here is what happened in Kandy.
A Batting Masterclass
Oman won the toss and chose to bowl first, hoping to utilize morning moisture to put pressure on the home side. That decision backfired as Sri Lanka’s batters produced a destructive display of power hitting.
The Islanders posted a massive total of 225/5 in their 20 overs. This is now the highest score of the 2026 T20 World Cup so far, surpassing the 213 runs recorded by South Africa against Canada earlier this week.
The stars of the show were:
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Pavan Rathnayake: Named Player of the Match, he smashed a brilliant 60 runs off just 28 balls, including eight fours and a six.
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Kusal Mendis: Anchored the innings with a composed 61 off 45 balls, his second successive fifty of the tournament.
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Dasun Shanaka: The captain played a legendary finisher’s knock, blasting 50 runs off only 19 balls. This set a new national record for the fastest T20I half-century by a Sri Lankan batter.
Oman Crumbles Under Pressure
Chasing 226 to win was “mission impossible” for Oman, and their innings never found momentum. The Sri Lankan bowlers were disciplined and aggressive from the start.
Dushmantha Chameera (2/19) struck in the opening over to remove Jatinder Singh, while Maheesh Theekshana was incredibly economical, returning figures of 2/11 from his four overs. Oman eventually finished on 120/9 after their 20 overs.
A notable moment of history occurred during the chase: Oman’s 43-year-old Mohammad Nadeem scored an unbeaten 53, becoming the oldest player to record a half-century in T20 World Cup history.
What This Means for the Group
This victory moves Sri Lanka to the top of the Group B standings with two wins from two matches and a dominant Net Run Rate. They have firmly established themselves as serious title contenders on home soil. For Oman, this second loss puts them on the brink of an early exit as they prepare to face Australia and Zimbabwe in their remaining fixtures.
🏏 Fan Zone: Are Sri Lanka the Real Deal?
After seeing that performance, we want to know if you think the co-hosts have what it takes to go all the way. Vote in our live poll below!