Zimbabwe vs Oman, T20 World Cup 2026 Highlights: Zimbabwe Outclass Oman, Win With 6.3 Overs To Spare

Manic Monday continues - We are done with the second game of the day and so far, we have seen two of the more experienced sides sweep away their opponents, albeit in contrasting fashion. Scotland did it by putting on a mammoth total on the board and then getting the chasing side under pressure. Whereas Zimbabwe laid the foundation with the ball and then chased the low total with ease. The action now moves to Ahmedabad, where South Africa are all set to get their campaign underway against Canada. That game will begin at 1.30 pm GMT but you can switch tabs and join our build-up right away. Cheers!

Sikandar Raza, the captain of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza says his bowlers have stepped up whenever he asked them to. On Brendan Taylor, Raza says it is something that happened before, where he went on to play, so he didn't want to risk it. Mentions that Taylor felt it was bad, but they are waiting for the scans to get a clearer picture. Mentions this performance had courage and character from his players and hopes they show the same in the next matches as well.

Jatinder Singh, the captain of Oman - Jatinder Singh says that they simply didn't put enough runs on the board and it was too much to ask from the bowlers. Reckons that they need to have 160-170 runs on any pitch to have a chance of defending it. Shares that they had played a warm-up game, so they were ready for it, but the bounce was pretty different from the game they had played earlier here. Mentions that they can still take a few positives, as the bowlers bowled well and the fielding was decent as well. Informs that as soon as the game got over, they got into a huddle and had a chat about how they can turn things around heading forward.

Let's now hear from the two captains...

Player of the Match - Blessing Muzarabani is the Player of the Match for his fine spell of 4-1-16-3. He says it was nice to get the first win out of the way, and now it's about focusing on the next game. Shares that he is coming from a back injury and was just trying to hit his lengths. Adds there was a bounce and the ball skidded a bit. Admits he won't overthink and will take game-by-game. Acknowledges the challenge they have ahead of them and adds that they will embrace it.

In search of a better effort - Oman have been outclassed today but they will feel that they didn't do justice to themselves with that batting effort. They failed to assess conditions early on and just kept losing wickets in a bunch. It looked like they wouldn't even get to the three-figure mark but a 42-run stand between Vinayak Shukla and Sufyan Mehmood and then some decent striking from Nadeem Khan took them over the 100-run mark. With the ball, they didn't have much to defend and gave away a few boundaries early on. Sufyan Mehmood followed his good work with the blade by picking up two wickets in the same over, giving Oman a glimmer of hope. However, chances were hard to create and all it needed was one decent stand from Zimbabwe to put the game to bed.

All-round effort from Zimbabwe - The win was set up early in the game thanks to that opening burst from the duo of Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava. Both pacers used their height to good effect and extracted extra bounce off the deck, which was deadly. Brad Evans too contributed heavily at the death as the trio of pacers picked up three wickets each. Additionally, some fine fielding also helped Zimbabwe restrict Oman to a meek score of 103 runs. In reply, Tadiwanashe Marumani got Zimbabwe off to a flying start but a double blow in the 4th over just pegged them back a touch. Brian Bennett stood tall at one end and along with the experienced Brendan Taylor, added 68 runs for the third wicket. With just 6 needed for the win, Taylor retired hurt and the skipper, Sikandar Raza, came in and hit the winning runs.

Back on the world stage with a bang - After agonizingly missing out on Qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup and then the 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe are back, and they have started their campaign with a huge win. Oman were never really in it, with just 103 runs on the board, and have been dealt a hefty defeat here.

FOUR! That is it! Karan Sonavale bowls a length delivery, outside off, too slow, and the batter gets enough time to pick his shot. Sikandar Raza powers it through cover and well wide of long off for a boundary. Zimbabwe win by 8 wickets with more than 6 overs to spare.

Flatter delivery, just outside off, Bennett punches it down to long off for a run.

Too short and too wide. Sikandar Raza slaps it powerfully to cover. Jatinder Singh gets a hand on it and keeps it down to one.

Slides it full and onto the pads. Bennett whips it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs. 100 up for Zimbabwe and they are just a hit away.

Ouch! Brendan Taylor is looking in some discomfort and is unable to continue. A blow to the batting team as Brendan Taylor is retired hurt.

Oh, dear! Not a good sign, as Brendan Taylor walks back to the hut, and he is limping. Hopefully, Taylor hasn't pulled a hamstring here. For now, Sikandar Raza comes in to replace him.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Bennett moves to 45 and Zimbabwe need 6 more runs to win. Dragged length, touch short and Bennett is quick to pick up, he rocks back and pummels it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Floats it fuller and on middle, eased down to long on for a single.

Good awareness from the batters! Good-length delivery, outside off, Brendan Taylor punches it through point. The fielder in the deep fumbles and the batters are quick to sneak in another run.

A good length delivery in front of middle. Bennett nudges it with soft hands to mid-wicket and settles with a run.

Drifting into the batter, fuller and on middle, Taylor bunts it to square leg.

Just a single to end but Zimbabwe have the finish line in sight now. Full on middle and leg, worked away in front of square leg for a single.