Sri Lanka vs Oman, 16th Match, Group B, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 takes place on February 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM local time (3:30 PM IST) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
This Group B clash pits the co-hosts Sri Lanka against an underdog Oman side desperate for points. Sri Lanka kicked off the tournament with a solid 20-run victory over Ireland, showing glimpses of their batting depth despite bowling concerns. Oman, meanwhile, stumbled in their opener, getting bowled out for just 103 against Zimbabwe’s pace attack, leaving them at the bottom of the group with a net run rate of -2.702. With Super Eights qualification on the line, Oman needs a miracle upset, while Sri Lanka aims to build momentum before tougher tests like Australia.
Pallekele’s pitch typically starts with some seam movement in day games due to early moisture, but it flattens out for a high-scoring affair, favoring spinners later as the surface dries. Teams batting first have won just two of seven recent T20Is here, with the highest chase being Sri Lanka’s 177 against Australia in 2022. Weather looks promising with clear skies, temperatures between 22-28°C, and low humidity around 65%, though captains might still bowl first to exploit any early help.
SL vs OMA Match Details
- Match: Sri Lanka vs. Oman, 16th Match
- Teams: SL vs OMA
- Date: 12 Feb 2026
- Time: 10:30 AM 5:30 AM GMT / 11:00 AM LOCAL
- Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
T20 World 2026 Live Streaming Info
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 kicks off on February 7, 2026, and wraps up with the final on March 8, 2026. Hosted across India and Sri Lanka with 20 teams, it spans about a month—group stages from early February, Super 8s mid-month, semis late February/early March, and the final in Colombo or Mumbai.
- In India, tune into Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2) or stream on Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema.
- Pakistan viewers can watch on PTV Sports, A Sports, or Ten Sports, with streaming available on Tapmad and Tamasha.
- For Sri Lanka, options include SLRC, Channel Eye, and Siyatha TV on TV, plus Sri Lanka Cricket YouTube and Dialog ViU online.
- UK fans have Sky Sports Cricket, TNT Sports 1, and talkSPORT on television, alongside Sky Go, Discovery+, and NOW TV for streaming.
- In South Africa, SuperSport covers it on TV and via their app.
- Australia might check Fox Sports for TV and Kayo Sports for live streams.
- USA and Canada: Willow TV on TV, Sling TV or Willow HD app for streaming.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ on TV and Sky Go app.
- Bangladesh: Gazi TV (GTV) and Rabith BD app.
- Afghanistan: RTA Sport and Ariana TV.
Rest of the world: ICC.tv for free streaming where no local rights holder exists. Subscriptions often apply, and VPNs can assist with geo-blocks where permitted.
How to Watch the Match for Free:
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Pakistan: PTV Sports broadcasts all matches live for free on TV via terrestrial, cable, and satellite—no subscription needed.
Live Streaming Info:
The 16th T20 World Cup match will be live on Willow Cricket.
Live Score Info:
ICC T20 World Cup 2026: All matches on ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Probable XIs
SL Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana.
OMA Probable XI: Jatinder Singh (capt), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Jiten Ramanandi, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Sufyan Mehmood, Nadeem Khan, Shah Faisal, Shakeel Ahmed.
Head-to-Head Record
Sri Lanka hold a perfect 2-0 edge in T20Is over Oman from their 2021 series, where they chased down totals comfortably. Overall across formats, they’ve met just once before in T20 World Cup context indirectly via warm-ups, but no official T20WC clashes yet—this is their first. The last five meetings don’t apply directly due to limited encounters, but Oman’s recent warm-up win over Sri Lanka A (146 chasing 145) offers faint hope. In ODIs, Sri Lanka won their sole meeting by 10 wickets in 2023.
Team Form and Momentum
Sri Lanka enter on the back of a WLLLW run in their last five T20Is, boosted by that Ireland win where Kamindu Mendis smashed 44 off 19 to rescue the innings. However, Wanindu Hasaranga’s tournament-ending injury is a massive blow—their spin bully took 3-25 vs Ireland and provided middle-order fireworks. Captain Dasun Shanaka will lean on the pace duo of Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana, while openers Pathum Nissanka (nearing 2500 T20I runs) and Kusal Mendis must fire up top.
Oman’s LWWLW form reflects inconsistency; their Zimbabwe collapse exposed batting frailties against seam, losing nine wickets to pace. Yet, they stunned Sri Lanka A in warm-ups thanks to Aamir Kaleem’s 80 and Vinayak Shukla’s finishing, hinting at counter-attacking potential. Jatinder Singh’s leadership and Shakeel Ahmed’s left-arm spin (2-24 vs SL A) could test Sri Lanka’s middle order, which has historically struggled here— they’ve won just one of their last five T20Is at Pallekele.
Key Talking Points
Hasaranga’s absence shifts pressure to Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage for spin control, with replacement Dushan Hemantha under the spotlight despite his fielding prowess. Oman’s do-or-die vibe adds spice—they’ve beaten just one Test nation ever (Ireland 2019)—and playing before a raucous home crowd energizes Sri Lanka but could rattle the visitors. Batting strike rates are crucial: Sri Lanka’s conservative approach (below modern T20 norms) vs Oman’s need for aggression after folding cheaply. Nissanka’s form and Oman’s seam vulnerabilities on a spin-friendly track later will decide it.
Sri Lanka Team Analysis
Strengths: Elite pace attack with Chameera’s express bounce and Pathirana’s slingy yorkers; home advantage and spin options in Theekshana-Wellalage; top-order experience from Nissanka-Mendis.
Weaknesses: Middle-order spin woes amplified sans Hasaranga; poor recent Pallekele record (10 wins in 24 T20Is); injury-hit bowling depth.
Key Players: Kamindu Mendis (match-winner vs Ireland), Pathum Nissanka (run machine), Matheesha Pathirana (death specialist). Recent performances show batting rescues but bowling reliance exposed.
Oman Team Analysis
Strengths: Disciplined spin with Shakeel Ahmed and potential allround contributions from Aamir Kaleem; warm-up confidence vs SL second string; no injury issues for continuity.
Weaknesses: Batting collapses under pace (103 all out vs Zim); lack of T20I wins over Full Members; unfamiliarity with Pallekele’s spin grip.
Key Players: Jatinder Singh (captain’s calm), Shakeel Ahmed (spin threat), Vinayak Shukla (finisher vs SL A). Recent momentum from warm-up win, but tournament loss highlights seam fragility.
Sri Lanka’s superior squad depth, home conditions, and perfect T20I record over Oman make them clear favorites, even without Hasaranga—their pace trio should exploit Oman’s seam woes on a pitch turning later. Expect a comfortable win by 25-30 runs if batting first, or a defended total, barring an Oman batting miracle. Sri Lanka to prevail and solidify Group B standing.