Sri Lanka will face Oman in Match 16 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The clash promises an intriguing contest as Sri Lanka seeks to maintain momentum following a win over Ireland, while Oman aims to bounce back after a defeat to Zimbabwe.
Match details
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM IST | 10:30 AM PST | 5:30 AM GMT
Team Overviews
Sri Lanka enters the match on the back of a strong 20-run victory against Ireland. The team has looked balanced with contributions from both batters and bowlers, and captain Dasun Shanaka will aim to keep the momentum going. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have shown early form at the top, while the bowling attack led by Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana has been effective in controlling opposition scoring.
Oman, by contrast, will be looking to recover from a narrow loss against Zimbabwe. The team has shown resilience in past tournaments, and captain Jatinder Singh will need to lead from the front. Oman’s batting depends on experienced campaigners like Wasim Ali and Hammad Mirza, while bowlers Shah Faisal and Shakeel Ahmed will be crucial in keeping Sri Lanka’s strong batting lineup in check.
Key Players
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis is expected to be the star batter. His unbeaten 56 against Ireland underlined his ability to play decisive knocks under pressure. Maheesh Theekshana is the bowler to watch. His 3/23 in the opening game highlighted his spin threat, and his four-over spell could be pivotal in breaking partnerships and restricting Omani scoring.
Oman: Jatinder Singh leads the side and will be vital with the bat. Hammad Mirza and Wasim Ali are key contributors in the middle order. Among bowlers, Shah Faisal and Shakeel Ahmed are expected to play major roles in controlling the run rate and taking timely wickets.
Head-to-Head Record
This will be the first T20 International between Sri Lanka and Oman. Both teams will be eager to claim the upper hand in what is expected to be a competitive encounter.
Pitch Report
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium typically offers a balanced contest between batters and bowlers. Batters will need to settle in before accelerating to score heavily. Large ground dimensions may challenge stroke-making, while bowlers can benefit from variations and disciplined lines to pick wickets.
Probable Playing XIs
Sri Lanka:
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (w), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
Oman:
Jatinder Singh (c), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Jiten Ramanandi, Vinayak Shukla (w), Sufyan Mehmood, Nadeem Khan, Shah Faisal, Shakeel Ahmed
Probable Match Scenarios
Sri Lanka may look to dominate early with their top order and maintain control through their spinners in the middle overs. Oman will aim to stay in the game through partnerships and disciplined bowling, targeting breakthroughs against key Sri Lankan batters. The outcome could hinge on which team handles pressure better in the middle overs and executes death bowling more effectively.
Live Streaming and Broadcast
India: JioStar Network Channels, JioHotstar (App & Website)
Pakistan: PTV Sports, Ten Sports, Geo Super
UK: Sky Sports Cricket, BBC iPlayer
Australia: Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports
Global: ICC Official App, ICC Website, YouTube Live (official ICC stream)
Match Prediction
Sri Lanka enters the contest as the stronger side with the advantage of form and home conditions. Oman has the potential to challenge the hosts if their top-order batters fire and bowlers execute their plans perfectly. On balance, Sri Lanka is likely to secure a win, provided their key performers like Kusal Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana maintain their form.
