In an exciting encounter at the men’s T20 World Cup in Colombo, Zimbabwe’s captain Sikandar Raza opted to bowl first against Oman. Both teams were eager to acclimate to the Sri Lankan conditions, having arrived early for the tournament.
Zimbabwe welcomed back Blessing Muzarabani, who had been sidelined during the tri-series in Pakistan in November. His return is expected to strengthen the bowling attack, as Zimbabwe aims to make a significant impact after missing the last edition of the T20 World Cup held in West Indies and the USA.
Oman, on the other hand, made a notable addition to their squad with the inclusion of Aamir Kaleem. At 44 years old, Kaleem is the oldest player in the tournament, stepping in for Hasnain Shah, who was injured shortly after the squad announcement. Oman has a rich history in T20 World Cups, having participated in the 2016, 2021, and now the 2024 editions alongside qualifiers from the Asia-Pacific region, including Nepal and the UAE.
Zimbabwe returns to competitive action after their Super 12s appearance in the previous tournament, aiming for redemption after failing to qualify for the 2024 event. They secured their place alongside Namibia, with standout performances from Brian Bennett, who was the top run-scorer in qualifiers, and bowlers Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava, who also made a mark.
The teams’ line-ups for the match features notable names from both sides. Zimbabwe’s roster includes key players such as Brian Bennett, Brendan Taylor, and the returning Graeme Cremer, whose comeback marked the longest hiatus between T20I appearances. Oman brings in a mix of experience and youth, with captain Jatinder Singh leading a team that has shown resilience in past tournaments.
As the match unfolds, fans from both teams will be eager to see how these players perform in the quest for T20 World Cup glory.