T20 World Cup 2026: Shanaka’s Record 19-Ball Fifty Powers Sri Lanka to 105-Run Rout of Oman

PALLEKELE – In a one-sided Group B showdown at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, co-hosts Sri Lanka delivered a ruthless all-round performance to crush Oman by 105 runs. The victory, secured on Thursday, February 12, 2026, cements Sri Lanka’s position at the top of the Group B table and marks the highest total of the tournament so far .

Powered by a historic 19-ball half-century from captain Dasun Shanaka and blazing fifties from Pavan Rathnayake and Kusal Mendis, the Lankans posted an imposing 225/5—their second-highest score in T20 World Cup history. Oman, despite a valiant unbeaten 53 from veteran Mohammad Nadeem, never threatened the target and limped to 120/9 .

The Shanaka Storm: Fastest Fifty by a Sri Lankan

Walking in at 136/3 in the 14th over, Dasun Shanaka was under pressure following a string of low scores (1, 4, 0) leading into the World Cup. What followed was pure devastation.

Shanaka smashed five sixes and two fours in a whirlwind 20-ball innings, bringing up his fifty in just 19 deliveries. This broke his own previous Sri Lankan record of a 20-ball half-century against India in 2023 .

“It was a much-needed knock for me and the team. The platform was set by Kusal and Pavan, so I just backed myself to go big in the death,” Shanaka said after the match.

His assault targeted Oman’s bowlers in the death overs:

Nadeem Khan was carted for 20 runs in the 17th over.
Sufyan Mehmood conceded 19 in the 18th, finishing with figures of 0/60—the most expensive by an Omani bowler in T20 World Cup history .

Sri Lanka plundered 65 runs in the final four overs, effectively sealing the game at the halfway mark .

Rathnayake and Mendis Set the Platform

Earlier, after Oman captain Jatinder Singh won the toss and elected to bowl first, Sri Lanka lost openers Pathum Nissanka (13) and Kamil Mishara (8) inside the powerplay .

However, Pavan Rathnayake, who had failed on debut against Ireland, produced a stunning counter-attack. The 23-year-old right-hander raced to his maiden T20I fifty in just 24 balls, finishing with 60 off 28 deliveries. His innings included eight fours and a six, punishing anything loose from the Oman attack .

Alongside him, Kusal Mendis played the perfect anchor role. His composed 61 off 45 balls (7 fours) formed the backbone of a 94-run third-wicket stand off just 52 balls. Mendis rotated strike brilliantly, with 40 of Sri Lanka’s 96 runs at the halfway mark coming via singles and twos .

Kamindu Mendis (19* off 7 balls) provided late fireworks with two consecutive sixes, pushing Sri Lanka past the 220-mark .

Oman’s Chase: Nadeem’s Lonely Battle

Chasing a mammoth 226, Oman’s response was over before it began.

Dushmantha Chameera struck with the very first ball of the innings, cleaning up Jatinder Singh with a 140km/h delivery. At 36/3 inside the powerplay, the game was all but decided .

Maheesh Theekshana was the tormentor-in-chief, returning astonishing figures of 2/11 in four overs—the most economical four-over spell of the tournament so far. He removed Aamir Kaleem and later broke a brief resistance by dismissing Wasim Ali (27 off 20) .

There was, however, one piece of history for Oman.

Mohammad Nadeem, the 43-year-old veteran, played a lone hand. His unbeaten 53 off 56 balls (3 fours, 1 six) saw him become the oldest batter to score a half-century in Men’s T20 World Cup history . It was his third T20I fifty, but it came in a losing cause as wickets tumbled at the other end.

Oman lost three wickets in six balls mid-innings—Wasim caught, Vinayak Shukla run out, and Jiten Ramanandi stumped for a golden duck—slumping to 91/6 .

Group B Implications: Sri Lanka Top, Oman on the Brink

The result leaves the Group B standings in clear shape:

Team	Matches	Won	Lost	Points	NRR
Sri Lanka	2	2	0	4	+3.125
Australia	1	1	0	2	–
Zimbabwe	2	1	1	2	–
Ireland	1	0	1	0	–
Oman	2	0	2	0	–

Sri Lanka’s superior Net Run Rate (+3.125) gives them a significant advantage as they push for Super Eights qualification. They face Australia next in what will be a stern test of their title credentials .

For Oman, the defeat—their second in two games—eliminates them from Super Eights contention. Captain Jatinder Singh acknowledged the gulf in experience:

“We don’t get opportunities to play Test-playing nations often. This is a learning curve for us. The boys showed fight, but we need to be more disciplined with the ball.”

Oman will now play for pride against Ireland (February 14) and Australia (February 20) .

Key Records from the Match

Record	Player	Detail
Fastest T20I fifty (SL)	Dasun Shanaka	19 balls
Highest T20WC 2026 total	Sri Lanka	225/5
Oldest T20WC fifty-maker	Mohammad Nadeem (43y)	53* vs SL
Most econ. spell (T20WC 2026)	M. Theekshana	2/11 (4 ov)
Most runs conceded (OMA)	Sufyan Mehmood	0/60 (4 ov)

Sources:

What’s Next?

Sri Lanka face Australia at Pallekele on Monday, February 16. A win would all but confirm their place in the Super Eights .
Oman travel to Colombo to face Ireland on Saturday, February 14, seeking their first win of the campaign .