Sri Lanka will face Oman in their second match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Thursday morning, February 12. Sri Lanka is entering this match with confidence after securing a win in their opening game, while Oman is eager to recover from a disappointing start and earn their first points in the tournament.
Sri Lanka aims to continue strong start in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Sri Lanka made a significant impact in their first match against Ireland, winning by 20 runs. Batting first, they set a competitive score of 163. Kusal Mendis scored an unbeaten 56 off 43 balls, showing skill and composure. He received solid support from Kamindu Mendis, who contributed an aggressive 44 runs from just 19 balls, boosting Sri Lanka’s total.
The bowling unit performed well, limiting Ireland to 143 runs. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga each took three wickets, effectively controlling the game during critical stages. As they prepare to face Oman, the Sri Lankan team is looking to keep their momentum and secure a strong position for qualification.
Oman seeks to bounce back after loss to Zimbabwe
On the other hand, Oman had a challenging opening match against Zimbabwe. Batting first, they struggled to form partnerships and were bowled out for just 103 runs. Zimbabwe easily chased down this total in 13.3 overs, leading to an eight-wicket defeat for Oman.
Some positive highlights included Vinayak Shukla scoring 28 off 21 balls and Sufyan Mahmood contributing 25 runs from 39 balls. In bowling, Sufian Mahmud stood out with figures of two wickets for 12 runs in three overs. For Oman to compete effectively against Sri Lanka, they will need a more coordinated batting effort.
Pallekele Pitch Report and Weather Forecast for SL vs OMA match
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium typically provides a balanced pitch. Early in the match, it tends to be firm, allowing batters to play shots easily as the ball comes onto the bat well. However, the pitch may slow down as the game unfolds. The average first-innings score here is around 166, indicating that totals close to or above this mark could be competitive.
Weather forecasts predict partly cloudy and humid conditions, with a greater than 50% chance of rain after 1 pm local time. Temperatures are expected to range from 22 to 28 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels reaching 65-75% in the afternoon.
In light of possible rain, the captain who wins the toss will likely choose to bowl first at this venue.
