In a thrilling warm-up clash for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Oman pulled off a sensational four-wicket victory against Zimbabwe at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. This 11th preparatory match saw Zimbabwe post a formidable 187 for 7 after electing to bat first on Thursday.
Zimbabwe’s innings kicked off explosively with openers Brian Bennett and Brendan Taylor forging an 86-run stand in just 7.4 overs. Bennett unleashed a blistering 56 off 28 balls, smashing three sixes and seven fours before departing. Taylor contributed a quick 26 off 20 deliveries but retired out soon after.
The middle order wobbled as Zimbabwe slipped to 94 for 4. Dion Myers and Tashinga Musakanda then steadied the ship with a 43-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Myers made 26, while Musakanda starred with an unbeaten 54 off 28 balls, including nine boundaries, pushing the total higher.
Oman’s bowlers struck back effectively, with Sufyan Mehmood claiming a match-high three wickets. Nadeem Khan grabbed two, and Shah Faisal picked up one.
Chasing 188, Oman navigated early blows to secure the win in 19.2 overs. Aamir Kaleem set the tone with 23 off 11 balls (two sixes, two fours), partnering Jatinder Singh for 28 runs. Jatinder then anchored a crucial 79-run stand with Hammad Mirza off 42 balls. Mirza fell for 35 with seven fours.
Jatinder’s explosive 55 off 33 balls (one six, eight fours) ended via retired out, leaving Oman at 119 for 3. Karan Sonavale and Jiten Ramanandi then added 41 runs, with Ramanandi unbeaten on 34 off 18 (two sixes, four fours). Captain Vinayak Shukla chipped in 10.
Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani took two wickets, while Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, and Ryan Burl claimed one each. This win boosts Oman’s confidence heading into the World Cup preparations.