Zimbabwe won against Oman by 8 wickets at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, with their bowlers dominating the Oman batting lineup.
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe chose to bowl first. Bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava maintained pressure from the start, preventing Oman from gaining momentum.
This strategy led to regular wickets, as Muzarabani, Ngarava, and Brad Evans each took three wickets, resulting in Oman being bowled out for 103 runs in 19.5 overs. Vinayak Shukla was the top scorer with 28 runs, Sufyan Mehmood added 25 runs, and Nadeem Khan scored 20 runs, the only players to reach double figures.
In response, Zimbabwe made the chase look easy. Tadiwanashe Marumani started strongly, while Brian Bennett finished the innings with an unbeaten 48 runs off 36 balls.
Brendan Taylor contributed 31 runs before leaving the field with a hamstring injury, temporarily slowing down Zimbabwe’s progress. For Oman, Sufyan Mehmood was effective, taking 2 wickets for 12 runs.
Zimbabwe reached their target in just 13.3 overs, finishing at 106 for 2, securing a win with 39 balls to spare. This victory earned them two points and improved their net run rate to +1.450, which may be crucial later in the tournament.
Full Scorecard – Zimbabwe vs Oman ICC T20 World Cup 2026, February 9
Zimbabwe 106 for 2 (Bennett 48*, Mehmood 2-12) beat Oman 103 (Shukla 28, Muzarabani 3-16, Evans 3-18, Ngarava 3-17) by eight wickets
Match Highlights & Key Moments
Zimbabwe’s fast bowlers effectively set the tone early, as they dismantled Oman’s batting lineup. The lack of significant partnerships left Oman struggling after losing wickets frequently, despite some resistance from Vinayak Shukla and Sufyan Mehmood.
In the batting innings, Tadiwanashe Marumani’s quick start kept Zimbabwe ahead, while Brian Bennett’s steady approach ensured their success.
A significant moment occurred when Brendan Taylor left the field due to injury, briefly slowing Zimbabwe’s pace, but it did not change the outcome as they comfortably secured the win in the 8th ICC Group B T20 World Cup Match.
Player of the Match
Blessing Muzarabani was awarded Player of the Match for his impressive bowling performance, achieving figures of 3 for 16 in three overs.
What This Result Means for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026
This victory gives Zimbabwe two valuable points in Group B and boosts their net run rate, which could be critical as the tournament progresses. The overall performance sends a strong message to the other teams in the group.
For Oman, the loss highlights weaknesses in their batting against pace and increases the pressure for their upcoming matches. They will need to quickly regroup to stay in the competition.
FAQs – Zimbabwe vs Oman ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Q1: Who won the Zimbabwe vs Oman match?
A1: Zimbabwe won by 8 wickets on February 9, 2026, in Colombo.
Q2: Who was the Player of the Match?
A2: Blessing Muzarabani was named Player of the Match for his bowling performance of 3/16 in three overs.
Q3: What was the final score of the match?
A3: Zimbabwe 106 for 2 (Bennett 48*, Mehmood 2-12) and Oman 103 (Shukla 28, Muzarabani 3-16, Evans 3-18, Ngarava 3-17).
