The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 begins on February 7, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Group B includes Australia, Sri Lanka, Oman, Ireland, and Zimbabwe.
The first match of Group B will take place on February 8, with Sri Lanka facing Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
This group promises competitive matches, with two teams advancing to the Super 8 stage. The Super 8 will be divided into two groups, with the top two progressing to the semifinals.
The 2026 ICC T20 World Cup marks its 10th edition, following its first tournament in 2007. India is the defending champion, having won in 2024.
Here are key details about Oman, Ireland, and Zimbabwe from Group B.
Oman
Oman will participate in their fourth T20 World Cup, making their debut in 2016 and exiting in the first round on two occasions. Their last outing in 2024 also ended at the group stage. In total, they have played 10 matches in the tournament, with 2 wins and 7 losses (NR: 1).
They qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup by topping the Asia & East Asia-Pacific Regional Qualifier held in Oman, and finished second in the Super 6, behind Nepal.
Oman squad for T20 World Cup: Jatinder Singh (c), Vinayak Shukla, Mohammad Nadeem, Shakeel Ahmad, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Shah Faisal, Nadeem Khan, Sufyan Mehmood, Jay Odedra, Shafiq Jan, Ashish Odedara, Jiten Ramanandi, Hasnain Ali Shah.
Players to watch: Captain Jatinder Singh has played 72 T20I matches, scoring 1605 runs with an average of 24.69 and nine fifties.
Schedule of Oman at T20 World Cup 2026
Oman vs Zimbabwe – February 9, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
Sri Lanka vs Oman – February 12, Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy
Ireland vs Oman – February 14, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
Australia vs Oman – February 20, Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy
Oman’s first match starts at 3:00 PM IST, followed by matches at 11:00 AM IST. The game against Australia will begin at 7:00 PM IST.
Ireland
Ireland is making its ninth appearance in the T20 World Cup. They missed the 2007 edition but have qualified for every subsequent tournament. They reached the Super 8 in 2009 but exited in the group stage for the next four events. In 2021, they were knocked out in the first round but advanced to the Super 12 in 2022 and faced group-stage exit again in 2024.
Overall, Ireland has 7 wins and 18 losses in the tournament, with three matches having no results and two being abandoned.
They qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup based on the ICC T20I team rankings, thanks to consistent performances in international matches.
Ireland squad for T20 World Cup: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Matthew Humphreys, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Harry Tector, Tim Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
Players to watch: Paul Stirling is a key player, holding the record for most T20I appearances with 3888 runs at an average of 26.44, including one century and 24 fifties.
Schedule of Ireland at the T20 World Cup
Ireland vs Sri Lanka – February 8, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Ireland vs Australia – February 11, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Ireland vs Oman – February 14, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
Ireland vs Zimbabwe – February 17, Pallekele International Stadium, Pallekele
The first match for Ireland is at 7:00 PM IST, the second at 3:00 PM IST, and the last two matches will also start at 3:00 PM IST.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is appearing in their seventh T20 World Cup, having debuted in 2007. They exited the group stages in 2010 and 2012 and were knocked out in the first round in 2014 and 2016. However, they reached the Super 12 in 2022, winning three out of eight matches (4 losses, NR: 1).
Zimbabwe qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup by performing well in the Africa Regional Qualifier, topping their group and winning a semifinal against Kenya.
Zimbabwe squad for T20 World Cup: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor.
Players to watch: Sikandar Raza is a standout all-rounder, with 2883 runs at an average of 25.74 and 102 wickets at 22.93.
Schedule of Zimbabwe at T20 World Cup
Zimbabwe vs Oman – February 9, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
Zimbabwe vs Australia – February 13, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Ireland vs Zimbabwe – February 17, Pallekele International Stadium, Pallekele
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – February 19, Colombo
Zimbabwe’s first match is scheduled for 3:00 PM IST, with their second match starting at 11:00 AM IST and their last two at 3:00 PM IST.
