Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka scripted history in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Oman on February 12 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Shanaka scored the fastest T20I fifty by a Sri Lanka batter. He took just 19 balls to get to his half-century and broke his own record. He took 20 balls to score a T20I fifty against India in 2023.
Shanaka also broke Mahela Jayawardene's record for fastest T20I fifty by a Sri Lanka batter in T20 World Cups. In the inaugural edition, Jayawardene got to his half-century from just 21 balls in the clash against Kenya. Sri Lanka ended up scoring 260/6, the highest T20 World Cup score ever recorded.
4th highest T20 World Cup score
After Shanaka's knock, cameo from Kamindu Mendis helped Sri Lanka post 225/5, the fourth-highest total in T20 World Cup history. It is the highest score in the ongoing edition, going past South Africa’s 213/4 against Canada at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on February 9.
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The second spot belongs to England with 230/8 against South Africa in a successful run chase at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, in 2016 edition.
3 Sri Lankan batters hit fifties
Earlier, Oman skipper Jatinder Singh won the toss and opted to bowl first. Jay Odedra knocked over Kamil Mishara for a single-digit score. Then Pathum Nissanka fell to Sufyan Mehmood for an 11-ball 13. Sri Lanka were 58/2 as Pavan Rathnayake hit four fours in sixth over.
Rathnayake and Kusal Mendis dominated the proceedings in the middle overs, setting the stage for a big score. In the 13th over, Rathanayake got to his maiden T20I fifty from 24 balls. Jiten Ramanandi ended Rathnayake's stay at the crease. He scored 60 runs from 28 balls, including eight fours and a six. In the next over, Kusal got to his fifty from 39 balls.
Shanaka did not take much time to settle and punished Oman bowlers. In the 18th over, he got to his fifty. Ramanandi got Shanaka's wicket. He hit five sixes and two fours in his 20-ball 50. On the next ball, Kusal got run out for a 45-ball 61. Kamindu Mendis finished the innings with two consecutive sixes, taking the score to 225/5.