Zimbabwe vs Oman: Group B Clash at T20 World Cup 2026
London, 9 February 2026 – Zimbabwe and Oman face off today in a critical Group B encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The match, held at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, marks the opening tournament fixture for both nations. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bowl first, seeking to exploit early conditions in the Sri Lankan capital.
Match Context and Recent Form
This fixture serves as a high-stakes rematch following a warm-up encounter on 5 February 2026. In that preliminary match at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground, Oman secured a psychological advantage by chasing down Zimbabwe’s total of 187 to win by four wickets. Oman captain Jatinder Singh has cited that victory as a significant confidence booster for his squad heading into the tournament proper.
Zimbabwe, having missed the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, are under pressure to re-establish their standing among the Test-playing nations. Meanwhile, Oman is making its fourth appearance in the global showpiece, looking to build on their reputation as a dangerous associate side capable of causing upsets in Group B, which also includes Australia, Ireland, and co-hosts Sri Lanka.
Key Facts: Zimbabwe vs Oman
The following table outlines the historical and current statistical standing between the two sides across international formats.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (Match 8) |
| Venue | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
| Toss | Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bowl |
| ODI Head-to-Head | Zimbabwe 1, Oman 0 |
| T20I Head-to-Head | 0 Matches (Today is the first official T20I meeting) |
| Recent Warm-up Result | Oman won by 4 wickets (5 February 2026) |
| Zimbabwe Key Player | Sikandar Raza (2,883 T20I runs) |
| Oman Key Player | Jatinder Singh (Captain) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the match being played?
The match is taking place at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
What happened in the recent warm-up match between these teams?
Oman defeated Zimbabwe by four wickets on 5 February 2026. Zimbabwe posted a competitive 187/7, but Oman successfully chased the target, led by a half-century from Jatinder Singh and a late cameo from Jiten Ramanandi.
Who are the captains for today’s match?
Sikandar Raza leads Zimbabwe, while Jatinder Singh captains the Oman national side.
Is this the first time these teams have met in a T20 World Cup?
Yes, this is their first official meeting in the T20 World Cup tournament proper. While they have met in ODI cricket and unofficial warm-up matches, this fixture marks their debut T20I encounter against one another.