Sri Lanka beat Oman by 19 runs

Avishka Fernando and skipper Dasun Shanaka shared an unbeaten 111 runs in a swashbuckling fifth wicket partnership as Sri Lanka registered a 19-run win over Oman in the first of the two-match T20 series played in Oman today (7).

Fernando hit a career-best 83 off 59 balls including five sixes and three boundaries while Shanaka remained unbeaten on 51 with five sixes and two boundaries as Sri Lanka reached 162 for 4 at the end of the 20 overs. Sri Lanka were in deep trouble early on losing four wickets for 51 runs but a late onslaught from Fernando and Shanaka saw them scoring a formidable score. Oman managed only 143 runs for the loss of eight wickets with Naseem Khushi top scoring 40.

 Lahiru Kumara returned figures of 4 for 30 while Nuwan Pradeep and Chamika Karunaratne picked up two wickets apiece to restrict the home side.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 162/4 in 20 overs (Avishka Fernando 83*, Dasun Shanaka 51*) beat Oman 143/8 in 20 overs (Naseem Khushi 40; Lahiru Kumara 4-30)by 19 runs.