T20 World Cup 2026: Dasun Shanaka's quickest T20I fifty help Sri Lanka bat out Oman in Match 16

Sri Lanka delivered a commanding performance to defeat Oman by 105 runs in Match 16 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. After being asked to bat, the Islanders piled up a massive 225/5 in their 20 overs, setting the tone for a one-sided contest. Despite a steady half-century from Mohammad Nadeem, Oman never truly threatened the target and finished on 120/9. The comprehensive victory strengthened Sri Lanka’s position in Group B and highlighted their growing momentum in the tournament.

Sri Lanka's innings progressed quickly after a shaky beginning. While both Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara were both dismissed cheaply, Kusal Mendis held together the innings, scoring 61 from 45 balls. The innings took off at speed with the introduction of Pavan Rathnayake, who mowed down the Omani bowlers for 60 runs off just 28 balls, combining beautiful shots with tremendous power. The aggressive manner in which he played altered the momentum of the match significantly in favour of Sri Lanka, and as a result, the run rate during the latter stages of the first innings continued to increase to a point where Oman could no longer control or reduce the flow of runs to the Sri Lankan team.

Captain Dasun Shanaka then unleashed a blistering assault, smashing 50 from only 20 balls with five towering sixes. His late flourish, along with quick cameos from Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage, propelled Sri Lanka past the 220 mark. Oman’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring, with only Shah Faisal managing a respectable economy rate. The 58 runs scored in the powerplay laid a strong platform, but it was the explosive finish that truly buried the opposition.

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Bowlers Seal the Deal

Defending a daunting total, Sri Lanka’s bowlers wasted no time asserting dominance. Dushmantha Chameera struck twice early, while Maheesh Theekshana’s tight spell of 2/11 choked Oman’s scoring options. The disciplined bowling effort ensured Oman never built meaningful partnerships. Although Mohammad Nadeem fought hard for his unbeaten 53, wickets kept falling at regular intervals, preventing any chance of a recovery or late surge.

Sri Lanka maintained relentless pressure throughout the chase, combining sharp fielding with intelligent bowling changes. Dunith Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis, and Dushan Hemantha all chipped in with key breakthroughs to dismantle Oman’s middle and lower order. Oman managed only 36 runs in the powerplay and failed to accelerate thereafter. The emphatic 105-run triumph not only boosted Sri Lanka’s net run rate but also sent a strong message to the rest of the competition about their all-round strength.

Top Performance

Dasun Shanaka stood out with a breathtaking 50 off just 20 deliveries, smashing five sixes to provide Sri Lanka with a thunderous finish. Walking in during the latter half of the innings, the skipper shifted gears instantly, dismantling Oman’s bowling attack with clean, fearless hitting. His explosive knock, complemented by Pavan Rathnayake’s rapid 60 and Kusal Mendis’ steady 61, propelled Sri Lanka to a daunting 225/5. Shanaka’s intent in the death overs ensured the total moved from competitive to virtually unassailable.

Key Moments

During the middle overs, the turning point of the match occurred when Sri Lanka's Pavan Rathnayake scored an aggressive 60 runs off 28 balls, breaking the resistance of Oman and boosting the run rate for Sri Lanka. In the latter part of the match, Maheesh Theekshana's economical bowling with figures of 2/11 ended any hopes for an Oman comeback in their chase. Early wickets from Dushmantha Chameera severely impacted the confidence of Oman in the powerplay, as Oman was reduced to only 36 runs. After that point, the match moved decidedly in Sri Lanka's favour, assuring a comprehensive win with a margin of 105 runs.