Co-hosts Sri Lanka take on Oman in a crucial Group B encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on February 12, 2026. The 2014 T20 World Cup champions look to build on their opening win against Ireland as they chase a spot in the Super 8 stage.
Dasun Shanaka leads a balanced Sri Lankan squad featuring spin duo Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, who took three wickets each in their tournament opener.
Oman, led by Jatinder Singh, will aim to bounce back after their heavy defeat to Zimbabwe and look to create an upset at cricket’s biggest stage.
Sri Lanka vs Oman Match Preview
This Group B clash marks Sri Lanka’s second match of the tournament at their home ground in Kandy. Sri Lanka started their campaign with a 20-run win over Ireland in Colombo. Oman lost their opener to Zimbabwe by 8 wickets in a disappointing display. Sri Lanka will next face Australia on February 16 in Pallekele, while Oman takes on Ireland on February 14 in Colombo.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sri Lanka vs Oman, T20 World Cup 16th Match |
| Date | 12 February 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM IST / 5:30 AM GMT |
| Venue | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy |
| Series | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Context | Group B match, Sri Lanka’s second game |
Pitch Report
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium offers a balanced surface for T20 cricket. The pitch provides good bounce and carries early in the match, helping batters who play straight and through the line. Scoring runs during the powerplay becomes easier as the ball comes onto the bat nicely.
As the game progresses, the surface slows down marginally. Spinners find some grip in the middle overs, making variation a key weapon. Fast bowlers who vary their pace often find success at this venue. Historical data shows that teams batting first have won 15 out of 27 T20Is played here, making defending totals the preferred option.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Balanced, good bounce early |
| Average 1st Innings Score | Around 162 in T20Is |
| Pace vs Spin | Pace effective early, spin gets grip later |
| Toss Factor | Batting first preferred |
| Boundary Size | Slightly larger square boundaries |
Weather Report
In February, Kandy offers pleasant conditions for cricket. The weather on match day will be comfortable with temperatures ranging from 19°C to 29°C. During the morning match, temperatures are expected to hover around 25-28°C. Expect partly cloudy skies with minimal chance of rain. Humidity levels will be moderate, around 50-60%, and the wind will remain generally light throughout the day.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 19-29°C (25-28°C during match) |
| Sky | Partly cloudy |
| Rain Chance | Low (approximately 21%) |
| Humidity | 50-60% |
| Overall | Good conditions for cricket |
Toss Prediction
The captain winning the toss at Pallekele is likely to choose to bat first. Historical data shows that teams batting first have a better record at this venue, winning 15 of 27 T20Is. The pitch slows down as the match progresses, making chasing harder in the second innings. Spinners find more assistance later in the game, which adds pressure on batting sides. Expect the toss winner to bat first and put runs on the board.
Injury Updates
Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga might be unavailable for this match due to injury. The rest of the squad is available for selection.
Oman: No Injury Concern.
Dream11 Team For Sri Lanka vs Oman
Sri Lanka vs Oman Head-to-Head Records in T20Is
Sri Lanka and Oman have met twice in T20I cricket. Sri Lanka won both matches during their tour of Oman in October 2021. The first match ended with Sri Lanka winning by 19 runs after posting 162/4. Avishka Fernando scored an unbeaten 83, while Lahiru Kumara took 4/30. In the second match, Sri Lanka chased down 160 with 5 wickets in hand.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total T20I Matches | 2 |
| Sri Lanka Wins | 2 |
| Oman Wins | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
| T20 World Cup Meetings | First meeting in the World Cup |
| Last Meeting | SL won by 5 wickets (Oct 2021) |
Last Two T20I Meetings
- Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets (with 15 balls remaining) – 9 Oct 2021, Al Amerat
- Sri Lanka won by 19 runs – 7 Oct 2021, Al Amerat
Note: These are the only T20I meetings between these teams.
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Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Team | Role | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kusal Mendis | SL | Wicketkeeper-batter | Scored unbeaten 56 vs Ireland, anchor’s innings |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | SL | All-rounder | World No. 1 T20I bowler, 3 wickets vs Ireland |
| Maheesh Theekshana | SL | Spinner | Mystery spinner, took 3/23 in tournament opener |
| Kamindu Mendis | SL | All-rounder | Match-winner vs Ireland with 44 off 19 balls |
| Matheesha Pathirana | SL | Bowler | Slingy pacer, effective at death overs |
| Jatinder Singh | OMA | Captain/Opener | Leading T20I run-scorer for Oman, 507 runs since 2024 WC |
| Aamir Kaleem | OMA | All-rounder | Veteran spinner, scored 80 vs Sri Lanka A in warm-up |
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