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Zimbabwe (106/2) maul Oman (103) in a one sided encounter to register a triumphant start to their T20I World Cup 2026 campaign

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The focus now shifts to the SSC in Colombo, where Oman face Zimbabwe in a Group B clash, hoping to take another step forward in their World Cup journey.

The matchup carries added intrigue as a rematch of their warm-up encounter just four days ago, where Oman underlined their growing credentials by chasing down 187 with four wickets in hand. That result followed a confident five-wicket win over Sri Lanka A, further highlighting their upward trajectory.

Oman’s rise has been steady rather than sudden. Since becoming an ICC Affiliate in 2000, they have progressed into four-time T20 World Cup participants (2016, 2021, 2024, 2026). Runners-up in the East Asia Pacific Qualifier, they arrive ranked 18th in the world, and despite a winless Rising Stars Asia Cup, they showed resilience against India A.

For Zimbabwe, that warm-up defeat was a sharp wake-up call. Their build-up has been inconsistent — an unbeaten Africa Qualifier campaign offset by just one win in a November tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, followed by a home whitewash at the hands of Afghanistan.

Still, optimism remains. Zimbabwe broke their first-round hoodoo in 2022, famously beating Pakistan, and are eager to put the disappointment of missing out in 2024 behind them. With a largely youthful squad supported by the experience of veterans Sikandar Raza, Brendan Taylor and Graeme Cremer, they believe the pieces are in place.

Both sides have something to prove — Oman seeking validation on the big stage, and Zimbabwe aiming to rediscover their best. It’s exactly the kind of contest the T20 World Cup thrives on.

Squads:

Zimbabwe
Squad: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Brendan Taylor(w), Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tony Munyonga, Clive Madande, Graeme Cremer

Oman Squad: Jatinder Singh(c), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Vinayak Shukla(w), Jiten Ramanandi, Nadeem Khan, Sufyan Mehmood, Shakeel Ahmed, Shah Faisal, Mohammad Nadeem, Jay Odedra, Ashish Odedara, Shafiq Jan

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Zimbabwe should get a big win.

Hopefully Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennett will do well. I have them in my fantasy XI team. :dav
 
Gotta feel for Oman. Tall Zimbabwe seamers banging away back of a length on this pitch. A lot of teams would find it tough, let alone Oman
 
Good comprehensive win for Zimbabwe. It will be interesting to see if they can upset Sri Lanka or Australia.
 
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