T20 World Cup: Shanaka’s record blitz powers Sri Lanka to 105-run rout of Oman

PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka flexed their batting muscle at Pallekele as Dasun Shanaka’s record-breaking half-century headlined a commanding 105-run win over Oman in the 16th match of the T20 World Cup.

Chasing a daunting 226, Oman never truly threatened and limped to 120 for 9 in their 20 overs.

Mohammad Waseem fought a lone battle with an unbeaten 53, while Wasim Ali made 27, but no other batter managed to reach double figures as the chase fizzled out under sustained pressure.

Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana struck twice apiece to dent Oman early and often, while Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha and Kamindu Mendis chipped in with a wicket each to keep the squeeze on.

Earlier, Oman had opted to field after winning the toss, only to be met with a relentless Sri Lankan onslaught that produced the highest total of this T20 World Cup so far.

Sri Lanka piled up 225 for 5, setting the tone from the outset. Pathum Nissanka’s brisk 60 off 28 balls laid the platform, peppered with clean strikes square of the wicket, before Kusal Mendis took over with a punchy 61 off 45 deliveries. The pair stitched together a 94-run stand for the third wicket — Sri Lanka’s highest partnership for that position in men’s T20 World Cup history — to wrest control of the middle overs.

If that wasn’t enough, Shanaka provided the late fireworks. The captain blazed to a 19-ball fifty, the fastest by a Sri Lankan in T20 Internationals, turning a formidable total into a mountainous one. His assault ensured Sri Lanka surged past 220, leaving Oman with a mountain too steep to climb.

For Oman, Jatinder Ramanandi picked up two wickets, while Jatinder Odedra and Sufyan Mahmood claimed one each, but the damage had long been done.

With this emphatic win, Sri Lanka not only boosted their net run rate but also sent a strong message to the rest of the field: their batting unit is peaking at just the right time.