The Oman vs zimbabwe Group B clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 turned into a one-sided affair as Zimbabwe delivered a dominant all-round performance to secure an emphatic eight-wicket win. The match, played at Colombo’s iconic Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), highlighted Zimbabwe’s bowling strength and a calm, calculated batting display that left Oman with little chance of a comeback.
Winning the toss, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza made the smart decision to bowl first, a move that paid immediate dividends. Oman’s batting struggled throughout the innings, eventually being bowled out for 103 runs in 19.5 overs. Zimbabwe chased down the modest target with ease, reaching 104 for 2 in just 13.3 overs.
Oman vs Zimbabwe Match Summary – T20 World Cup 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Oman vs Zimbabwe |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Group | Group B |
| Match No. | 8 |
| Venue | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
| Toss | Zimbabwe won and fielded |
| Oman | 103 all out (19.5 overs) |
| Zimbabwe | 104/2 (13.3 overs) |
| Result | Zimbabwe won by 8 wickets |
Zimbabwe’s Tactical Toss Decision Changes the Game
The Oman vs zimbabwe encounter was shaped early when Zimbabwe opted to field first. Colombo’s surface offered assistance to bowlers, particularly in the early overs, and Zimbabwe’s pace attack made full use of the conditions.
Oman never managed to settle, losing wickets at regular intervals and failing to build any long partnerships. Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling lines and aggressive field placements added constant pressure on the batting side.
Oman’s Innings: Early Damage and Missed Opportunities
Oman’s top order collapsed under pressure, placing them on the back foot within the opening overs. The loss of early wickets disrupted momentum and forced incoming batters to play risky shots.
Oman Lose Key Wickets Quickly
- Captain Jatinder Singh was bowled cheaply
- Hammad Mirza departed without opening his account
- Oman were reduced to 8 for 2 inside the powerplay
As the innings progressed, Zimbabwe tightened their grip, allowing very few scoring opportunities.
Oman Batting Performance Overview
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Boundaries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinayak Shukla | 28 | 21 | 4 fours |
| Sufiyan Mehmood | 25 | 39 | 2 fours |
| Aamir Kaleem | 5 | 7 | 1 four |
| Jatinder Singh | 5 | 5 | 1 four |
| Waseem Ali | 3 | 8 | – |
Vinayak Shukla showed brief resistance with a fluent 28, while Sufiyan Mehmood attempted to anchor the innings. However, the lack of support from the other end ensured Oman never reached a competitive total.
Zimbabwe Bowlers Dominate the First Innings
The Oman vs zimbabwe match turned decisively in Zimbabwe’s favour due to a collective bowling effort. The pace trio dismantled Oman’s batting order with precision and control.
Zimbabwe Bowling Figures (Key Performers)
| Bowler | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|
| Richard Ngarava | 3 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 3 |
| Brad Evans | 3 |
| Sikandar Raza | 1 |
Zimbabwe’s bowlers ensured Oman were bowled out for 103 runs, a total well below the par score on this surface.
Target Set: Zimbabwe Need 104 to Win
With just 104 runs required, Zimbabwe entered the chase with confidence. The approach was simple—avoid unnecessary risks and rotate the strike while punishing loose deliveries.
Zimbabwe’s Chase Begins Steadily
Openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani gave Zimbabwe a composed start. Rather than going for big shots early, they focused on building a solid foundation.
Zimbabwe reached 30 runs without losing a wicket, effectively removing early pressure from the chase.
Brief Setback in the Chase
Oman briefly clawed their way back into the contest when Zimbabwe lost two wickets in quick succession.
| Batsman | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Tadiwanashe Marumani | 21 | 11 |
| Dion Myers | 0 | 2 |
Marumani’s aggressive cameo included five boundaries, but his dismissal, followed by Dion Myers’ quick exit, gave Oman a momentary lift.
Brian Bennett’s Composed Knock Seals the Win
The defining moment of the Oman vs zimbabwe match was Brian Bennett’s unbeaten innings. Showing maturity beyond his years, Bennett played a measured knock, guiding Zimbabwe safely to the target.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | 48* | 36 | 7 | Not Out |
| Brendan Taylor | 31 | 30 | 3 | Retired Hurt |
Veteran Brendan Taylor provided stability before retiring hurt, but by then the match was firmly under Zimbabwe’s control.
Zimbabwe crossed the finish line in 13.3 overs, confirming an eight-wicket victory with plenty of overs to spare.
Oman vs Zimbabwe Playing XIs
Zimbabwe Playing XI
| Players |
|---|
| Brian Bennett |
| Tadiwanashe Marumani |
| Dion Myers |
| Brendan Taylor |
| Sikandar Raza (C) |
| Ryan Burl |
| Tashinga Musekiwa |
| Wellington Masakadza |
| Brad Evans |
| Richard Ngarava |
| Blessing Muzarabani |
Oman Playing XI
| Players |
|---|
| Jatinder Singh (C) |
| Aamir Kaleem |
| Hammad Mirza |
| Waseem Ali |
| Karan Sonavale |
| Vinayak Shukla |
| Jiten Ramanandi |
| Nadeem Khan |
| Sufiyan Mehmood |
| Shah Faisal |
| Shakeel Ahmed |
Pitch and Conditions at Colombo
The Sinhalese Sports Club pitch played a key role in the Oman vs zimbabwe match. Early movement assisted fast bowlers, while the surface slowed down later, making stroke play difficult.
Zimbabwe adapted better to these conditions, both while bowling and during the chase, which proved to be a decisive factor.
Group B Impact: Zimbabwe Gain Momentum
This win significantly boosts Zimbabwe’s position in Group B. Not only do they secure valuable points, but the dominant margin also improves their net run rate, which could be crucial later in the tournament.
For Oman, the loss highlights concerns with batting depth and early-innings stability, areas that need immediate attention.
Key Highlights from Oman vs Zimbabwe
- Zimbabwe bowlers shared wickets evenly
- Oman collapsed under early pressure
- Brian Bennett delivered a match-winning unbeaten knock
- Zimbabwe completed the chase with ease
- Net run rate advantage strengthens Zimbabwe’s campaign
Conclusion:
The Oman vs zimbabwe encounter in the T20 World Cup 2026 underlined Zimbabwe’s growing confidence and balance as a T20 side. A disciplined bowling display followed by a calm, professional batting effort resulted in a comprehensive eight-wicket win.
As the tournament progresses, Zimbabwe will aim to build on this momentum, while Oman must regroup quickly to remain competitive in Group B.