Dasun Shanaka hit the fastest T20I half-century by a Sri Lankan as the co-hosts thrashed Oman by 105 runs at the T20 World Cup in Pallekele on Thursday.
The 2014 champions piled up 225-5, the highest total of the tournament, before restricting an outclassed Oman to 120-9.
The 43-year-old Mohammad Nadeem waged a lone battle for Oman, compiling an unbeaten 53 to become the oldest player to score a T20 World Cup fifty.
Having promoted himself up the order and under pressure to deliver, Shanaka smashed a 19-ball half-century.
It has been a bruising few months for the out-of-form Shanaka since reclaiming the captaincy late last year.
But on a batting-friendly pitch he smacked the Oman bowlers to all corners of the park, peppering the stands with five sixes and two fours.
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Before that, Pavan Rathnayake and Kusal Mendis laid the foundation as the pair each posted fluent half-centuries, stitching together a 94-run stand for the third wicket.
Once the platform was set, Kamindu Mendis applied the finishing touches.
Fresh from his match-turning cameo in the win over Ireland, the left-hander scored an unbeaten 19 off just seven deliveries, striking one four and two sixes.
Oman were never really in the game as they fell to a second defeat at the tournament.
Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana shared the new ball with Dushmantha Chameera and they accounted for two wickets apiece.
– AFP
Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
