Sri Lanka beat Oman by 19 runs, but in a game where the two countries met for the first time in international cricket, the victory did not come on a platter with the more experienced former T20 world champions having to draw on all reserves having weathered an early rot of 2 for 7, 3 for 21 and 4 for 51 before a an unbeaten 111-run fourth wicket between Avishka Fernando 83 and skipper Dasun Shanaka 51 in a total of 162 for 4 having won the toss and batted at Oman’s Al Amerat Cricket Ground.Al Amerat Cricket Ground.

Fernando, batting at No.4, sped to 83 off 59 balls hammering 5 sixes and e fours while Dasun Shanaka’s 51 came off 24 balls packed with 5 sixes and 2 fours as the Lankans proceeded to restrict Oman to 143 for 8 in the allotted 20 overs. Pace bowler Lahiru Kumara was outstanding with the ball claiming 4 for 30 backed by Nuwan Pradeep 2 for 7 and Chamika Karunaratne 2 for 28.

Oman too recovered from 5 for 54 and 6 for 87 on a top score of 40 by Naseem Khushi off 22 balls containing 4 sixes and 2 boundaries and a run a ball 32 from Mohammad Nadeem with 2 sixes and a boundary. While the encounter, the first of two warm-ups between the two sides in the run up to the October 17 ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE, was a positive start for Sri Lanka, Oman wouldn’t grumble given their game stand off in their first ever meeting with the former world champions. Oman is coached by former Sri Lanka captain Duleep Mendis.

The two sides meet in the second game on October 10 at the same venue.

CHIEF SCORES:

Sri Lanka 162/4 (20 Overs) RR: 8.10

(Avishka Fernando n.o. 83, Dasun Shanaka n.o. 51, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 15,  

Fayyaz Butt 2/42)

 Oman 143/8 (20 Overs) RR: 7.15

Naseem Khushi 40, Mohammad Nadeem 32, Lahiru Kumara 3/30, Nuwan Pradeep 2/7, Chamika Karunaratne 2/28)