Mendis, Ratnayake, Shanaka guide Sri Lanka

Dasun Shanaka had his day with five sixes

Pavan Ratnayake led the charge

(Pix: Pradeep Dilrukshana)

By M. Shamil Amit in Pallekele

Sri Lanka thanks to the trio of Kusal Mendis, Pavan Ratnayake and skipper Dasun Shanaka coasted to a crushing 105 runs win over Oman in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup encounter played at the Pallekele International Stadium yesterday.

Oman set a formidable target of 226 runs for victory were able to muster a score of only 120 runs. They were never going to be in the run chase as they lost their top three wickets for 36 by the sixth over.

A brief stand of 42 runs for the fourth wicket between Mohammad Nadeem who remained unbeaten on 53 and Wasim Ali offered little hope for Oman while their late order batting failed to make any impression.

Sri Lanka invited to take first lease of the wicket lost openers Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka cheaply with the innings six overs old and the score on 42.

From there on it was a feast of runs with Kusal Mendis and Pavan Ratnayake going on the rampage. Sri Lanka’s 50 runs on the board came in 34 balls and the pair went on to post their 50 runs stand for the third wicket in 30 balls.

The pair continued to torment the Oman bowlers and in the process put up Sri Lanka’s 100 as Ratnayake raced to his half ton which took him just 24 balls that included four boundaries and a six. Ratnayake was out misjudging a delivery that had his wickets shattered having made 60 in 28 balls which had eight boundaries and a six. He had a 59-ball 94 runs stand for the third wicket with Kusal Mendis.

It was another run fiesta with skipper Dasun Shanaka joining Mendis.

The pair posted a fourth wicket stand of 50 in only 22 balls and Shanaka reached his 50 in only 19 balls which had two boundaries and five towering sixes. 

Mendis made 61 in 45 balls which had seven boundaries.