Oman vs Zimbabwe are building an intriguing new rivalry in men’s T20 cricket, and their recent clashes have already produced high-scoring thrillers, standout spells from Blessing Muzarabani, and all-round masterclasses from Sikandar Raza.
Oman vs Zimbabwe: A New-Age Rivalry
The Oman national cricket team and the Zimbabwe national cricket team have only recently begun facing each other regularly in white-ball cricket, but the contests have been competitive and closely fought. Zimbabwe bring decades of Full Member experience and stars like Sikandar Raza and Blessing Muzarabani,
while Oman arrive as fast-rising associates used to punching above their weight in global tournaments.
Oman have featured at multiple ICC Men’s T20 World Cups (2016, 2021, 2024 and now 2026), steadily improving their depth and fitness, whereas Zimbabwe are in a rebuilding phase,
leaning heavily on their senior core to guide a talented but evolving squad. This backdrop has made every Oman vs Zimbabwe encounter a statement game for both sides.
T20 World Cup 2026: ZIM vs OMA on the Big Stage
In the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Oman were drawn together in Group B,
adding extra spice to the “OMA vs ZIM” storyline. Ahead of their main group clash in Colombo,
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and chose to bowl first, backing his bowlers,
including the returning quick Blessing Muzarabani, to exploit the conditions.
Both camps treated the fixture as a must‑win: Zimbabwe needed a strong start in a pool that also includes heavyweights like Australia, while Oman saw it as a chance to prove they belong alongside established Test nations. Conditions in Colombo—warm weather and spin‑friendly pitches—suited Oman’s spinners but also offered grip and variable bounce for Zimbabwe’s all‑round attack.
Warm‑Up Classic: Oman vs Zimbabwe T20 Scorecard
Before the main event, Oman and Zimbabwe met in a warm‑up match that turned into a classic, often searched as “Oman vs Zimbabwe T20 scorecard”, “ZIM vs OMA”, or “ZIM vs OMN”.
Key facts from the Oman vs Zimbabwe warm‑up:
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Match: Oman vs Zimbabwe, Match 11, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Warm‑up Matches 2026, Colombo.
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Result: Oman 188/6 in 19.2 overs beat Zimbabwe 187/7 in 20 overs, winning by 4 wickets with four balls to spare.
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Zimbabwe innings: 187/7 in 20 overs, powered by a blistering 56 off 28 balls from Brian Bennett at a strike rate of 200, with 7 fours and 3 sixes.
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Oman chase: Oman raced to 50 in just 3.4 overs and stayed ahead of the rate, eventually chasing 188 in 19.2 overs.
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Partnerships: A rapid 50‑run stand came in only 24 balls for Oman, highlighting their aggressive top order.
This Oman vs Zimbabwe match scorecard underlines how narrow the margin is between the two teams in T20s,
with Oman showing they can close out tight chases against a Full Member attack.
Quick look: Oman vs Zimbabwe warm‑up stats
| Aspect | Zimbabwe (ZIM) | Oman (OMA) |
|---|---|---|
| Total score | 187/7 in 20 overs | 188/6 in 19.2 overs |
| Result impact | Set a challenging target | Won by 4 wickets |
| Powerplay score | 66/0 in first 6 overs | 76/1 in first 6 overs |
| Top individual effort | Brian Bennett 56 (28) | Multiple brisk cameos in chase |
| Match outcome narrative | Strong start, slightly short at end | Calculated chase, finished clinically |
Stars to Watch: Blessing Muzarabani and Sikandar Raza
Two names dominate most “ZIM vs OMAN” conversations: fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani and all‑rounder Sikandar Raza.
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Blessing Muzarabani:
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Tall right‑arm quick, back in the Zimbabwe squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup after missing the 2025 tri‑series in Pakistan.
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Offers awkward bounce and seam movement, especially valuable under lights in Sri Lankan conditions.
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His new‑ball spells are crucial in preventing Oman from repeating the kind of explosive start they managed in the warm‑up chase.
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Sikandar Raza:
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Zimbabwe’s captain and senior all‑rounder, trusted with both bat and ball and central to team strategy.
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Chose to field first against Oman in Colombo, signaling confidence in his bowling group and in his ability to control chases as a finisher.
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Provides off‑spin on turning tracks, making him a dual threat against Oman’s right‑hand heavy lineup.
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For Oman, performances from their top order in the 188‑run chase in the warm‑up showed they are not intimidated by big targets or by reputations,
which puts extra pressure on Muzarabani and Raza to deliver with ball in hand.
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Oman vs Zimbabwe: Head‑to‑Head Snapshot
Because this is a relatively fresh international matchup, fans often search “Oman national cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team match scorecard” or
“Oman national cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team head to head” to understand the balance between the sides.
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In official ODIs, Zimbabwe have faced Oman only once and won that game, giving them a perfect record in the format so far.
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In T20s, especially with the latest warm‑up thriller where Oman edged Zimbabwe by 4 wickets, the rivalry looks more even, with results swinging both ways in recent fixtures and practice games.
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Recent form suggests Zimbabwe have a slightly better overall record across competitions, but Oman are closing the gap quickly, particularly in T20 cricket where margins are small.
As the 2026 T20 World Cup progresses, every “OMAN vs ZIM” or “ZIM vs OMA” encounter will not just update the scorecard but also rewrite perceptions about how far Oman have come and how strongly Zimbabwe’s experienced core can respond under pressure.
