Co-hosts Sri Lanka treated their fans to something special at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, posting a staggering 225/5 against Oman in their second match of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup on Feb. 12.
Coming into the fixture, Sri Lanka were high on confidence after defeating Ireland in their opener, while Oman were licking their wounds following an eight-wicket defeat to Zimbabwe, a game in which they were bowled out for 103 after batting first.
Hoping to script a turnaround, Oman won the toss and opted to bowl. The decision spectacularly backfired.
Pavan Rathnayake, along with captain Dasun Shanaka, wreaked carnage on the Oman bowlers, powering Sri Lanka to 225/5, the highest total of this edition and the fourth-highest in T20 World Cup history.
Rathnayake Sparks The Carnage
Rathnayake set the tone with a blistering assault at the top. The youngster raced to a half-century in just 24 balls, the second-fastest fifty for Sri Lanka in T20 World Cups, and finished with 60 off 28 deliveries at a strike rate of 214.28. His innings featured eight fours and a six as he dismantled Oman's new-ball plans inside the Powerplay.
If Oman hoped for respite after Rathnayake's dismissal in the 14th over, they were mistaken.
Shanaka Rewrites His Own Record
Sri Lanka captain Shanaka, who wasn't going to be outgunned by the 23-year-old Rathnayake, turned the contest into a personal statement.
He brought up his own fifty in just 19 balls, surpassing Rathnayake's effort and breaking Sri Lanka's T20I record for the fastest half-century, a record he himself had set in 2023 with a 20-ball fifty against India.
While Rathnayake peppered the boundary ropes, Shanaka went aerial, smashing five sixes and two fours in a brutal cameo of 50 from only 20 balls that left Oman scrambling.
Kamindu Mendis Wins The Strike-Rate Contest
Rathnayake struck at a strike-rate of 214.28, Shanaka raised it to 250, but in terms of pure acceleration, Kamindu Mendis stole the spotlight. The left-hander finished unbeaten on 19 off just seven balls, striking at an eye-popping 271.42.
For a brief period, it felt like Sri Lanka's middle order was engaged in a private contest, each batter trying to outdo the other as Oman's bowling figures spiralled.
Where 225/5 Stands In History
The total posted by Sri Lanka is the highest score of the 2026 T20 World Cup so far. It's also Sri Lanka's second-highest total in T20 World Cups and overall stands fourth on the list of highest team totals in the tournament's history.
Notably, the highest total in tournament history belongs to none other than Sri Lanka themselves who, powered by Sanath Jayasuriya's 88 off 44 balls, posted 260/6 against Kenya in Johannesburg during the inaugural 2007 edition.
Sri Lanka followed up their record-setting batting display by restricting Oman to 120/9, sealing a commanding 105-run victory. The victory marked just the ninth instance of a 100-plus run win in T20 World Cup history and ranks as the seventh-largest margin by runs overall.
Here's a look at the top 10 highest team totals in T20 World Cup history.
| Top 10 Highest Team Totals In T20 World Cup History | |||||
| Rank | Team | Score | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| 1 | Sri Lanka | 260/6 | Kenya | Johannesburg | 2007 |
| 2 | England | 230/8 | South Africa | Mumbai | 2016 |
| 3 | South Africa | 229/4 | England | Mumbai | 2016 |
| 4* | Sri Lanka | 225/5 | Oman | Pallekele | 2026 |
| 5 | India | 218/4 | England | Durban | 2007 |
| 6 | West Indies | 218/5 | Afghanistan | Gros Islet | 2024 |
| 7 | South Africa | 213/4 | Canada | Ahmedabad | 2026 |
| 8 | South Africa | 211/5 | Scotland | The Oval | 2009 |
| 9 | India | 210/2 | Afghanistan | Abu Dhabi | 2021 |
| 10 | South Africa | 209/5 | Afghanistan | Mumbai | 2016 |
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