3 months ago
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Sri Lanka volition person to robust retired their batting inconsistencies, peculiarly successful the mediate overs, and rework their bowling operation successful the lack of an injured Wanindu Hasaranga erstwhile they instrumentality connected Oman successful a Group B lucifer of the T20 World Cup successful Pallekele connected Thursday (February 12, 2026).
The erstwhile champions were dealt a terrible stroke aft Hasaranga, their astir potent rotation weapon, was ruled retired of the tourney with a hamstring wounded sustained during their opener against Ireland.
Sri Lanka had a disappointing build-up to the ICC showpiece, entering the tourney connected the backmost of a 0-3 drubbing by England astatine home. However, the co-hosts made a affirmative commencement to their run with a 20-run triumph implicit a tricky Ireland.
The victory, though, could not disguise their batters’ conflict against spin.
The 2014 champions failed to deed a azygous bound betwixt the seventh and 15th overs aft Ireland introduced spin, an country Oman volition look to exploit.
Things could person turned messy but for Kamindu Mendis, who smashed a 19-ball 44 successful the decease overs to assistance Sri Lanka to a competitory total.
While Kamindu provided the precocious acceleration, Kusal Mendis capitalised connected reprieves to anchor the innings with a half-century.
The squad will, however, expect much from openers Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara, who failed to person their starts.
Hasaranga had enactment successful a superb effort against Ireland, completing his 4 overs and claiming 3 important wickets contempt discomfort.
In his absence, Dushan Hemantha, who has played conscionable 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is, volition person large shoes to capable aft being named arsenic replacement.
Fellow spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who besides claimed 3 wickets successful the opener, volition person to enarthrosis added responsibility.
Oman, connected the different hand, were good abbreviated of runs against Zimbabwe, slumping to an eight-wicket defeat.
Making their 4th quality successful the T20 showpiece, Oman struggled against gait and other bounce, with their apical 5 batters failing to scope treble digits successful Colombo.
They volition request to rapidly code those frailties if they are to outpouring a astonishment similar they did connected debut successful 2016, erstwhile they defeated Ireland.
Skipper Jatinder Singh knows his broadside volition request to enactment up astatine slightest 150-160 runs to springiness their bowling attack, their stronger suit, thing to defend.
Sufyan Mehmood impressed with 2 wickets successful the erstwhile outing, portion Shah Faisal besides bowled well.
Teams
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Pramod Madushan, Dushan Hemantha.
Oman: Jatinder Singh (c), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Jiten Ramanandi, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Sufyan Mehmood, Nadeem Khan, Shah Faisal, Shakeel Ahmed, Mohammad Nadeem, Jay Odedra, Ashish Odedara, Shafiq Jan.
