Bhanuka, Chamika steer Sri Lanka to 2-0 series win

With this victory, Sri Lanka also sealed the two-match T20 series 2-0.

Chasing 160, Sri Lanka seemed to be cruising at 87 for two by the 10th over thanks to Avishka Fernando’s 18-ball 33 but Oman clawed their way back into the game with three wickets in the space of eight deliveries.

Fast bowler Mohammad Nadeem’s double-strike left the visitors reeling at 89 for five but Rajapaksa and Karunaratne stabilised the innings, their sixth-wicket stand eventually seeing the team home with 15 deliveries to spare.

Rajapaksa slammed two sixes during his 21-ball 35 while Karunaratne carted three sixes in his 26-ball 35.

Earlier, Oman, asked to bat, had put up 159 for eight on the back of a half-century from number three Aqib Ilyas.

He stroked three fours and four sixes for his 38-ball 59 and shared a 59-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Ayaan Khan, taking the team to a promising 134 for three.

However, Ilyas’ dismissal in the 17th over triggered a slide as Oman slumped from 134 for three to 142 for seven.

Lahiru Kumara was the pick of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, finishing with figures of 4-1-20-2 while Karunaratne also chipped in with two wickets, including the key scalp of Ilyas.

(Agencies)