Thursday, February 12, 2026

Sports

T20 WC: Shanaka backs Hemantha, lauds batting unit after Sri Lanka thrash Oman

IANS | February 12, 2026 05:11 PM

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka expressed satisfaction with his side’s clinical all-round performance in the 105-run win over Oman in their Group B clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while also addressing the challenge of filling the void left by Wanindu Hasaranga.

Sri Lanka piled up a formidable 225/5 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on the back of half-centuries from Kusal Mendis (61), Pavan Rathnayake (60) and Shanaka himself (50 off 20), before restricting Oman to 120/9.

Despite the commanding victory, Shanaka acknowledged the difficulty of replacing a proven match-winner like Hasaranga in the bowling department.

"It's very hard to replace someone like Wanindu because he is a champion bowler. But ofcourse Dushan Hemantha; he's been in the side for a while. In the absence of Wanindu, he played a few games here and there. So the confidence is there, but you know, straightaway coming to the game, it will be a bit harder. I'm sure that he will come good in the next game, ” he said after the game.

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