Early blows saw both openers Nishanka and Mishara back in the hut at 42/2. Kusal Mendis and Rathnayake then counter-attacked brilliantly, forging 94 runs in just 50 balls. Rathnayake’s aggressive 60 off 28 deliveries set the tone with his boundary-hitting prowess.

Shanaka took it to another level, racing to 50 in a mere 19 balls – faster than his own 20-ball effort against India last year. His knock boasted 5 massive sixes and 2 fours, complemented by a crucial 63-run partnership with Mendis. Mendis followed suit with 61 off 45, laced with 7 boundaries.

The lower order chipped in as Kamindu Mendis stroked 19 off 7 balls and Wellalage added 6* off 4. Sri Lanka’s explosive batting has set Oman a mountain to climb in this high-stakes T20 clash, testing their chasing credentials under pressure.