Oman vs Zimbabwe in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 turned into a one-sided contest as Zimbabwe delivered a commanding all-round performance to register an emphatic eight-wicket victory in Group B. Backed by a ruthless bowling attack and a composed unbeaten knock from Brian Bennett, Zimbabwe chased down a modest target with ease at the historic Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo.
The result strengthened Zimbabwe’s position in Group B while exposing Oman’s batting frailties on a surface that demanded patience and technique. From the toss to the final boundary, the contest largely followed Zimbabwe’s script.
Match Overview: Oman vs Zimbabwe – T20 World Cup 2026
| Match | Oman vs Zimbabwe |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match No. | Group B – Match 8 |
| Venue | Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo |
| Toss | Zimbabwe won, elected to field |
| Oman Score | 103 all out (19.5 overs) |
| Zimbabwe Score | 104/2 (13.3 overs) |
| Result | Zimbabwe won by 8 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Brian Bennett |
Toss and Conditions Set the Tone
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and made a straightforward decision to bowl first, fully aware of the conditions at SSC Colombo. The pitch offered grip and variable bounce, making stroke-making difficult early on. Spinners were expected to play a crucial role, while seamers who used cutters and slower deliveries could extract movement.
That assessment proved spot-on.
Oman’s Innings: Early Collapse and Missed Opportunities
Oman’s innings never truly gathered momentum. From the very first over, Zimbabwe’s bowlers applied relentless pressure, forcing errors and choking the scoring rate.
Early Blows Rock Oman
The top order collapsed rapidly as Oman lost wickets in clusters:
- Jatinder Singh, the captain, was bowled for 5 off 5 balls
- Hammad Mirza fell without scoring
- Aamir Kaleem and Karan Sonavale followed soon after
Within no time, Oman were struggling at 8 for 2, and the situation worsened as the scoreboard pressure mounted.
Oman Batting Scorecard (Top Performers)
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinayak Shukla | 28 | 21 | 4 | c Ngaraava |
| Sufiyan Mehmood | 25 | 39 | 2 | b Brad Evans |
| Jatinder Singh | 5 | 5 | 1 | b Muzarabani |
| Aamir Kaleem | 5 | 7 | 1 | c off Muzarabani |
| Waseem Ali | 3 | 8 | 0 | b Sikandar Raza |
Despite brief resistance from Vinayak Shukla and Sufiyan Mehmood, Oman failed to build any meaningful partnerships. Shukla’s aggressive 28 off 21 balls provided a short spark, but his dismissal in Richard Ngarava’s over derailed any hopes of a recovery.
Zimbabwe Bowlers Run Riot
Zimbabwe’s bowling unit delivered one of their most disciplined performances of the tournament. The seam trio exploited the conditions perfectly, mixing pace with accuracy.
Zimbabwe Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Ngarava | 4 | – | 3 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 4 | – | 3 |
| Brad Evans | 3.5 | – | 3 |
| Sikandar Raza | 2 | – | 1 |
(Exact runs conceded not provided in original data)
The combined pressure from Ngarava, Muzarabani, and Evans ensured Oman never settled. At one stage, Oman slipped from 50/5 to 76/8, losing control completely in the middle overs.
Oman were eventually bowled out for 103 in 19.5 overs, a total that always looked well below par.
Zimbabwe’s Chase: Calm, Composed, Clinical
Chasing 104, Zimbabwe adopted a cautious but confident approach. Openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani started steadily, respecting the conditions while punishing loose deliveries.
A Solid Opening Stand
The pair ensured Zimbabwe didn’t lose early wickets, neutralizing Oman’s bowlers effectively. However, Marumani’s attacking cameo came to an end when he was dismissed for 21 off 11 balls, which included five boundaries.
Soon after, Dion Myers fell for a duck, giving Oman a brief opening.
Brian Bennett Anchors the Chase
Any hopes of an Oman comeback were shut down by Brian Bennett, who played one of the most mature innings of the match.
- 48 off 36 balls*
- 7 fours
- Calm rotation of strike
- Excellent control against spin
Bennett’s unbeaten knock ensured Zimbabwe never lost momentum.
Zimbabwe Batting Summary
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennett | 48* | 36 | 7 | Not out |
| Tadiwanashe Marumani | 21 | 11 | 5 | Out |
| Brendan Taylor | 31 | 30 | 3 | Retired hurt |
| Dion Myers | 0 | 2 | 0 | Out |
Brendan Taylor Retires Hurt
Veteran batter Brendan Taylor looked in good touch during his 31-run knock but was forced to retire hurt after facing 30 balls. While his injury raised concern, Zimbabwe’s depth ensured the chase remained unaffected.
Zimbabwe reached the target in just 13.3 overs, losing only two wickets and boosting their net run rate significantly.
Playing XIs: Oman vs Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Playing XI
| Zimbabwe XI |
|---|
| 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
| Oman XI |
|---|
| Jatinder Singh (C) |
| Aamir Kaleem |
| Hammad Mirza |
| Waseem Ali |
| Karan Sonavale |
| Vinayak Shukla |
| Jiten Ramanandi |
| Nadeem Khan |
| Sufiyan Mehmood |
| Shah Faisal |
| Shakeel Ahmed |
Tactical Breakdown: Why Zimbabwe Dominated
Several factors contributed to Zimbabwe’s convincing win in Oman vs Zimbabwe:
- Early wickets dismantled Oman’s batting confidence
- Accurate seam bowling exploited Colombo’s surface
- Smart captaincy from Sikandar Raza
- Composed batting led by Brian Bennett
- Fielding discipline prevented easy singles
Zimbabwe ticked every box, while Oman struggled to adapt.
Impact on Group B Standings
This result significantly boosts Zimbabwe’s campaign in Group B. The strong net run rate gain could prove crucial as the tournament progresses.
For Oman, the loss highlights the need for better shot selection and stronger middle-order resilience, especially on challenging pitches.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
- Zimbabwe will head into their next Group B clash with confidence and momentum.
- Oman must regroup quickly and address batting inconsistencies if they hope to stay competitive in the tournament.
Conclusion: Oman vs Zimbabwe Ends in One-Sided Contest
The Oman vs Zimbabwe encounter in the T20 World Cup 2026 showcased Zimbabwe at their clinical best. From disciplined bowling to composed batting, they controlled the game from start to finish.
Brian Bennett’s unbeaten knock and the collective bowling effort underlined Zimbabwe’s growing maturity as a T20 side. As the tournament unfolds, performances like these send a strong message to other Group B contenders.
