Dasun Shanaka struck the fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan in T20Is as the co-hosts defeated Oman by 105 runs to secure their second victory in Group B of the T20 World Cup on Thursday in Pallekele.
After amassing the tournament’s highest score of 225-5, the 2014 champions held an inferior Oman to 120-9. Mohammad Nadeem, 43, fought valiantly for Oman, amassing an undefeated 53, to become the oldest player to score a fifty in T20 World Cups.
Sri Lanka captain Shanaka hit a 19-ball half-century after coming up the order and under pressure to perform. Since taking over the captaincy late last year, Shanaka’s poor form has endured a brutal few months.
He hit the Oman bowlers to every corner of the park on a batting-friendly wicket, smashing two fours and five sixes. Prior to that, the platform was established by Pavan Rathnayake and Kusal Mendis, who combined for a 94-run stand for the third wicket with both of them posting fluid half-centuries.
Kamindu Mendis added the final touches after the platform was set. The left-hander scored an undefeated 19 off only seven deliveries, hitting one four and two sixes, fresh off his game-changing appearance in the victory over Ireland.
Oman suffered their second loss in the tournament and were never truly in the game. Dushmantha Chameera and Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana shared the new ball and each took two wickets.
