T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe, Oman eye strong start

Zimbabwe vs Oman Live Score, T20 World Cup 2026: Zimbabwe have a point to prove having missed the last edition of the tournament.

While there are plenty of familiar faces with skipper Sikandar Raza and wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor, it is the youngest player in the squad who played a big part in seeing Zimbabwe through the African Qualifier.

Brian Bennett is just 22, but was in the form of his life on home soil as he scored three half-centuries and a hundred to clinch Zimbabwe’s place.

He followed that up with some good knocks in a tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in November and may hold the key to Zimbabwe springing a surprise this time around.

Zimbabwe upset eventual finalists Pakistan four years ago and will be targeting a quick start against Oman before they take on group favourites Australia in their second fixture.

Oman will making their fourth appearance in the T20 showpiece. On two of their three previous appearances, Oman have secured a win at the tournament, including beating Ireland in their very first game back in 2016 on debut.

Jatinder Singh will captain the side and open the batting, and will receive plenty of support from vice-captain and wicketkeeper Vinayak Shukla.

Oman’s strength is their bowling, with Jiten Ramanandi, Sufyan Mehmood and Nadeem Khan having all enjoyed plenty of success in the Qualifier.

Squads:

Zimbabwe Squad: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Brendan Taylor(w), Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tony Munyonga, Clive Madande, Graeme Cremer

Oman Squad: Jatinder Singh(c), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Vinayak Shukla(w), Jiten Ramanandi, Nadeem Khan, Sufyan Mehmood, Shakeel Ahmed, Shah Faisal, Mohammad Nadeem, Jay Odedra, Ashish Odedara, Shafiq Jan