Zimbabwe vs Oman Highlights T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe off to winning start in Colombo

Manic Monday continues - We are done with the second game of the day and so far, we have seen two of the more experienced sides sweep away their opponents, albeit in contrasting fashion. Scotland did it by putting on a mammoth total on the board and then getting the chasing side under pressure. Whereas Zimbabwe laid the foundation with the ball and then chased the low total with ease. The action now moves to Ahmedabad, where South Africa are all set to get their campaign underway against Canada. That game will begin at 1.30 pm GMT but you can switch tabs and join our build-up right away. Cheers!

Sikandar Raza, the captain of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza says his bowlers have stepped up whenever he asked them to. On Brendan Taylor, Raza says it is something that happened before, where he went on to play, so he didn't want to risk it. Mentions that Taylor felt it was bad, but they are waiting for the scans to get a clearer picture. Mentions this performance had courage and character from his players and hopes they show in the next matches as well.

Jatinder Singh, the captain of Oman - Jatinder Singh says that they simply didn't put enough runs on the board and it was too much to ask from the bowlers. Reckons that they need to have 160-170 runs on any pitch to have a chance of defending it. Shares that they had played a warm-up game, so they were ready for it, but the bounce was pretty different from the game they had played earlier here. Mentions that they can still take a few positives, as the bowlers bowled well and the fielding was decent as well. Informs that as soon as the game got over, they got into a huddle and had a chat about how they can turn things around heading forward.

Let's now hear from the two captains...

Player of the Match - Blessing Muzarabani is the Player of the Match for his fine spell of 4-1-16-3. He says it was nice to get the first win out of the way, and now it's about focusing on the next game. Shares that he is coming from a back injury and was just trying to hit his lengths. Adds there was a bounce and the ball skidded a bit. Admits he won't overthink and will take game-by-game. Acknowledges the challenge they have ahead of them and adds that they will embrace it.

In search of a better effort - Oman have been outclassed today but they will feel that they didn't do justice to themselves with that batting effort. They failed to assess conditions early on and just kept losing wickets in a bunch. It looked like they wouldn't even get to the three-figure mark but a 42-run stand between Vinayak Shukla and Sufyan Mehmood and then some decent striking from Nadeem Khan took them over the 100-run mark. With the ball, they didn't have much to defend and gave away a few boundaries early on. Sufyan Mehmood followed his good work with the blade by picking up two wickets in the same over, giving Oman a glimmer of hope. However, chances were hard to create and all it needed was one decent stand from Zimbabwe to put the game to bed.

All-round effort from Zimbabwe - The win was set up early in the game thanks to that opening burst from the duo of Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava. Both pacers used their height to good effect and extracted extra bounce off the deck, which was deadly. Brad Evans too contributed heavily at the death as the trio of pacers picked up three wickets each. Additionally, some fine fielding also helped Zimbabwe restrict Oman to a meek score of 103 runs. In reply, Tadiwanashe Marumani got Zimbabwe off to a flying start but a double blow in the 4th over just pegged them back a touch. Brian Bennett stood tall at one end and along with the experienced Brendan Taylor, added 68 runs for the third wicket. With just 6 needed for the win, Taylor retired hurt and the skipper, Sikandar Raza, came in and hit the winning runs.

Back on the world stage with a bang - After agonizingly missing out on Qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup and then the 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe are back, and they have started their campaign with a huge win. Oman were never really in it, with just 103 runs on the board, and have been dealt a hefty defeat here.

13.3: Karan Sonavale to Sikandar Raza, FOUR! That is it! Karan Sonavale bowls a length delivery, outside off, too slow, and the batter gets enough time to pick his shot. Sikandar Raza powers it through cover and well wide of long off for a boundary. Zimbabwe win by 8 wickets with more than 6 overs to spare. 

13.2: Karan Sonavale to Brian Bennett, Flatter delivery, just outside off, Bennett punches it down to long off for a run. 

13.1: Karan Sonavale to Sikandar Raza, Too short and too wide. Sikandar Raza slaps it powerfully to cover. Jatinder Singh gets a hand on it and keeps it down to one.

12.6: Shakeel Ahmed to Brian Bennett, Slides it full and onto the pads. Bennett whips it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs. 100 up for Zimbabwe and they are just a hit away.

Ouch! Brendan Taylor is looking in some discomfort and is unable to continue. A blow to the batting team as Brendan Taylor is retired hurt.

Oh, dear! Not a good sign, as Brendan Taylor walks back to the hut, and he is limping. Hopefully, Taylor hasn't pulled a hamstring here. For now, Sikandar Raza comes in to replace him.

12.5: Shakeel Ahmed to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Easy pickings! Bennett moves to 45 and Zimbabwe need 6 more runs to win. Dragged length, touch short and Bennett is quick to pick up, he rocks back and pummels it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

12.4: Shakeel Ahmed to Brendan Taylor, Floats it fuller and on middle, eased down to long on for a single.

12.3: Shakeel Ahmed to Brendan Taylor, Good awareness from the batters! Good-length delivery, outside off, Brendan Taylor punches it through point. The fielder in the deep fumbles and the batters are quick to sneak in another run. 

12.2: Shakeel Ahmed to Brian Bennett, A good length delivery in front of middle. Bennett nudges it with soft hands to mid-wicket and settles with a run.

12.1: Shakeel Ahmed to Brendan Taylor, Drifting into the batter, fuller and on middle, Taylor bunts it to square leg. 

11.6: Sufyan Mehmood to Brendan Taylor, Just a single to end but Zimbabwe have the finish line in sight now. Full on middle and leg, worked away in front of square leg for a single.

11.5: Sufyan Mehmood to Brian Bennett, Good length on off, holds in the pitch a bit. Bennett hangs back and hits it through the cover region for one more.

11.4: Sufyan Mehmood to Brendan Taylor, Fullish length on middle, angling in, flicked around the corner on the leg side for a single.

11.3: Sufyan Mehmood to Brendan Taylor, Slower delivery, a floater, full and wide outside off. Taylor reaches out and jams it into the turf as the ball bounces up towards Jatinder Singh at covers.

11.2: Sufyan Mehmood to Brendan Taylor, Back of a length, cutting back in from outside off. Taylor looks to punch it with a straight bat but gets an inside edge.

11.1: Sufyan Mehmood to Brian Bennett, Fuller than a good length and outside off, Bennett reaches for it and pushes it down to long off for a single.

Sufyan Mehmood (2-0-8-2) is back on.

10.6: Nadeem Khan to Brendan Taylor, FOUR! In complete control. Flat and full around off, Brendan Taylor brings out the reverse sweep and gets the hands on top of the bounce, nailing it down through backward point for a boundary. 15 off the over.

10.5: Nadeem Khan to Brendan Taylor, A couple of runs for Taylor and the 50-run stand is up between these two. Tossed up, full and around off, stroked away to the right of sweeper cover for a brace.

10.4: Nadeem Khan to Brian Bennett, Flatter delivery on middle, punched away off the back foot to long on for a single.

10.3: Nadeem Khan to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Well timed and the outfield is lightning quick. Fractionally short and outside off, Bennett waits back well and cuts it down to the left of deep point for another boundary.

10.2: Nadeem Khan to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Nicely done. Fuller and straighter, this time Brian Bennett manages to get inside the line and laps it through backward square leg for a boundary.

10.1: Nadeem Khan to Brian Bennett, A bit awkward for Bennett. Good length, angled in from outside off. Brian Bennett goes deep and shuffles to the off side to play the lap but gets into a tangle and miscues it to short third.

Zimbabwe are 70/2 after 10 overs. With just 34 runs needed more, it will be interesting to see if Zimbabwe try and attack a bit more.

9.6: Wasim Ali to Brian Bennett, Tossed up, on a length and on middle, Bennett strokes it down to long on and retains the strike. 

9.5: Wasim Ali to Brendan Taylor, Sticks to the stumps, bowls on the fuller side. Taylor clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

9.4: Wasim Ali to Brendan Taylor, Flighted, slower in the air and on middle, no turn, this is patted back to the bowler.

9.3: Wasim Ali to Brian Bennett, Fires it full and in line of the stumps, Bennett gets inside the line and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

9.2: Wasim Ali to Brendan Taylor, In-angler, too full and on middle, floated a bit. Brendan Taylor sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

9.1: Wasim Ali to Brian Bennett, Flights it very full and around off, Bennett hits it to long off for a single.

8.6: Jiten Ramanandi to Brendan Taylor, FOUR! Oman can't even afford to give away a boundary at this stage. 9 runs off the over. Too full and slightly drifting on leg, Brendan Taylor picks the line and closes the bat face just enough, guides it past short fine leg for a boundary. 

8.5: Jiten Ramanandi to Brian Bennett, Touch fuller, attacking the stumps. Bennett tucks it down to long on and rotates the strike.

8.4: Jiten Ramanandi to Brendan Taylor, Pace-off, fuller delivery, around off, BT bends forward and drives it to long off for one more.

8.3: Jiten Ramanandi to Brian Bennett, Jiten pitches it on the 8-meter length, on top of off, punched down to long off for a single.

8.2: Jiten Ramanandi to Brendan Taylor, Short of a good length and on leg, Taylor picks it off the pads and turns it to square leg for a run.

8.1: Jiten Ramanandi to Brian Bennett, Bowls a good-length delivery, outside off, Bennett plants his front foot across and knocks it to sweeper cover for a single.

7.6: Wasim Ali to Brian Bennett, Drops a half tracker, around off, Bennett clears his front leg and pulls, off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a single.

7.5: Wasim Ali to Brendan Taylor, Wasim Ali gets it to swing in a bit. Around off, Taylor waits and nudges it to square leg for a single. 

7.4: Wasim Ali to Brian Bennett, Fractionally short, around off, Bennett rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

7.3: Wasim Ali to Brian Bennett, Slower in the air, flighted a bit and gets it to drift into the batter. Bennett gets inside the line and tickles it to short fine leg.

7.2: Wasim Ali to Brendan Taylor, Tosses it up, outside off and fuller length. Taylor works it down to long off and runs across.

7.1: Wasim Ali to Brian Bennett, An armball with a straighter trajectory, fuller delivery on middle, Bennett hits it down to long off for a single.

A bowling change for Oman as Wasim Ali comes in to replace Sufyan Mehmood.

6.6: Nadeem Khan to Brian Bennett, Darted on the pads, turned to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

6.5: Nadeem Khan to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Uppish but in the gap! Too full and too wide, turning slightly away. Bennett leans across to drive and gets a thick outside edge past short third for a boundary. 50 up for Zimbabwe.

6.4: Nadeem Khan to Brian Bennett, Good running! Khan slows up the pace a bit, bowls it fuller and on off, Bennett tucks it wide of mid-wicket and collects a brace.

6.3: Nadeem Khan to Brian Bennett, On a good length, on middle, angling in. Bennett goes back and clears his front leg to punch it to cover.

6.2: Nadeem Khan to Brendan Taylor, This one comes with the arm, full and on middle, drilled to long on for a single.

6.1: Nadeem Khan to Brendan Taylor, Nadeem Khan drops it full and outside off, Taylor presses across and punches it to point.

DRINKS BREAK. A well-contested first 6 overs of the chase but Oman are running out of runs to defend. After a brisk start, Zimbabwe have lost a couple of wickets and it hasn't been easy going in the last 3 overs for them. However, with just 61 more needed off 84 balls and 8 wickets in hand, all Zimbabwe need is one decent stand. Oman need wickets and will have to take a few risks, as they know, without wickets, eventually, they will run out of runs to defend. The artificial lights are now starting to take full effect here at SSC.

5.6: Sufyan Mehmood to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Good way to end the Powerplay! Too short and too wide with a pack off field. Bennett crunches it through cover-point, in the gap for a boundary. Zimbabwe are 43/2 at the end of the sixth over.

5.5: Sufyan Mehmood to Brendan Taylor, Overpitched delivery, sliding on middle, Taylor whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

5.4: Sufyan Mehmood to Brian Bennett, Pushed through, fuller and around off, Bennett strokes it to mid off and scampers across for a quick single.

5.3: Sufyan Mehmood to Brian Bennett, Back of a length, outside off, hangs a bit low, Brian Bennett looks to cut it but misses.

5.2: Sufyan Mehmood to Brendan Taylor, Yet another direct-hit but Taylor was in once again. Touch fuller, around off, Taylor punches it to mid off and calls for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end and scores but the replay shows Taylor was in.

5.1: Sufyan Mehmood to Brendan Taylor, On a length and on middle, Brendan Taylor turns it to square leg and looks for a single but is sent back by Brian Bennett. A direct-hit at the batter's end but Taylor was in.

4.6: Nadeem Khan to Brian Bennett, Top over from Nadeem Khan. Shorter one, hammered into the deck and outside off. Brian Bennett shuffles across to pull but gets into a tangle and misses. A couple of really good overs for Oman.

4.5: Nadeem Khan to Brendan Taylor, Flatter one on the pads, tucked around the corner on the leg side for a single.

4.4: Nadeem Khan to Brendan Taylor, Excellent work from Vinayak Shukla again behind the stumps. Flighted ball, angled in with the arm. Taylor looks to play the conventional sweep now but the ball catches the arm and lobs up towards the leg slip region. The keeper dives and pouches the ball and up goes the appeal for a caught behind. It is turned down and the keeper is quick to walk back to his mark.

4.3: Nadeem Khan to Brendan Taylor, Oh, that could have easily gone straight to hand. Floated up on middle, Brendan Taylor goes for the reverse sweep but miscues it badly and the ball lands just wide of the fielder at first slip.

4.2: Nadeem Khan to Brendan Taylor, A good comeback delivery from Nadeem Khan. Nagging length on off, the armball darts back in. Taylor just about manages to block it off.

4.1: Nadeem Khan to Brendan Taylor, FOUR! In the gap! Short of a good length and outside off, Brendan Taylor waits back well and taps it down just behind point. The ball races away to the fence.

Change from both ends. Nadeem Khan to bowl now.

3.6: Sufyan Mehmood to Brendan Taylor, Nearly a double-wicket maiden from Sufyan Mehmood. Back of a length and around off, Brendan Taylor plays it off the inner half of the blade and past the bowler down to long on for a single.

3.5: Sufyan Mehmood to Brendan Taylor, Good length outside off, Brendan Taylor taps it towards cover.

3.4: Sufyan Mehmood to Brendan Taylor, Fullish length on the pads, Taylor clips it away to square leg.

Brendan Taylor is the next batter in.

3.3: Sufyan Mehmood to Dion Myers, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! That is a fantastic catch from the keeper, and he was certain it was out. Sufyan Mehmood pitches the ball further up on off and creates an angle from wide of the crease. The ball angles in, and Dion Myers lunges ahead to play it through the covers. The ball goes past the inside edge and just past the leg stump as Vinayak Shukla pouches it brilliantly and even dislodges the bails to bring the double opportunity into play. The appeal for a catch is turned down, but the review is taken. Third umpire confirms that there is an inside edge, and Myers is in and out quickly. Zimbabwe are 29/2 after 3.3 overs.

Oman have taken a review for caught behind. The keeper is confident that Myers nicked it. Oh, the UltraEdge shows a spike. OUT IT IS!

3.2: Sufyan Mehmood to Dion Myers, Good length attacking the pads Myers nudges it across to mid-wicket.

Out goes Tadiwanashe Marumani, in comes Dion Myers.

3.1: Sufyan Mehmood to Tadiwanashe Marumani, OUT! CAUGHT! Top catch from Wasim Ali and Oman have their first breakthrough. Sufyan Mehmood comes around the wicket and has the keeper upto the stumps. This is bowled a bit short and wide, and Tadiwanashe Marumani throws the hands at it. Marumani doesn't control the shot and hits it uppishly to the right of backward point. Wasim leaps up and across to his right and clings onto the ball. Marumani departs for a breezy 21 off 11 balls.

Bowling change. Sufyan Mehmood is into the attack.

2.6: Shah Faisal to Brian Bennett, Length ball on leg, no room on offer. Bennett stays back and defends it to mid on.

2.5: Shah Faisal to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Oh, that's unlucky for the bowler. Full and outside off, looking for the inswinger. Bennett goes for the expansive cover drive but ends up dragging it off the inside edge. The ball goes past the leg stump and rolls away into the fine leg fence.

2.4: Shah Faisal to Brian Bennett, FOUR! Brian Bennett is finally off the mark and in fine fashion as well. Short of a length, angled across off and middle. Bennett picks the length early, leans back and swivel-pulls it wide of square leg for a boundary.

2.3: Shah Faisal to Brian Bennett, Good length again, around the top of off, Bennett lets the ball come on before easing it out to covers. Three dots to begin the third over.

2.2: Shah Faisal to Brian Bennett, Good length on the pads, Bennett presses back and tucks it to mid-wicket.

2.1: Shah Faisal to Brian Bennett, Play and a miss! Short of a length and shaping away from outside off, Brian Bennett looks to take on the pull but is beaten by the extra bounce.

1.6: Shakeel Ahmed to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR! Tadiwanashe Marumani is breathing fire, 16 runs off the over. Full and on leg stump, Marumani sits down and nearly falls over as he wallops the ball up and over backward square leg. The ball just lands inside the ropes and goes for another four.

1.5: Shakeel Ahmed to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR! Make that a hat-trick of boundaries and Marumani is starting to go berserk. Marginally short on middle and leg, Marumani leans back and pulls it flat and hard through mid-wicket for another boundary.

1.4: Shakeel Ahmed to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR MORE! Slightly fuller, darted across off, Tadiwanashe Marumani does well to go deep in his crease and smacks it firmly between point and covers for another boundary.

1.3: Shakeel Ahmed to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR! Beautifully timed. Flatter one at the stumps, it's nudged away wide of mid-wicket by Marumani and the ball speeds away to the fence.

1.2: Shakeel Ahmed to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Half an appeal for a caught behind but the keeper knows there's no bat on it. Good length, angled across off, Marumani ends up poking at it and gets beaten well past the outside edge. The bowler and the fielder at first slip really thought there was an edge, but the keeper has a chuckle.

1.1: Shakeel Ahmed to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Starts from around the wicket and fires it across the left-hander. Marumani rocks back to pull but the ball darts away past the willow.

Shakeel Ahmed to share the attack.

0.6: Shah Faisal to Tadiwanashe Marumani, On a good length and around the top of off, Marumani presses back and tucks it through square leg. The initial call was for two, but they settle with the single. Zimbabwe are 6/0 after the first over.

0.5: Shah Faisal to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Play and a miss! Back of a length, shaping away from outside off. Marumani makes room leg side and looks to go over point but misses.

0.4: Shah Faisal to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR! Marumani is off the mark in streaky fashion. Short of a length, angled into the batter, extra bounce still on offer. Marumani goes hard at the pull but miscues it away over first slip and the ball runs away to the fence.

0.3: Shah Faisal to Tadiwanashe Marumani, Good-length delivery, shaping away from outside off, Tadiwanashe Marumani backs away and looks to cut but misses.

0.2: Shah Faisal to Brian Bennett, Zimbabwe are underway with a leg bye. Back of a length and around leg, Bennett fails to tuck it away. The ball goes off the thigh pad and behind square leg for a single.

0.1: Shah Faisal to Brian Bennett, Left alone by Bennett. Pitched up on a fuller length and outside off, looking for some inswing, but this one goes straight on. Brian Bennett lets it through to the keeper.

We are back for the run chase. The umpires are back out in the middle and so are the players of Oman. It will be the pairing of Tadiwanashe Marumani and Brian Bennett to open the innings for Zimbabwe. Bennett will take strike first up. Shah Faisal to start proceedings with the ball. Let's play...

... The Run Chase ...

Zimbabwe bowlers were on fire! Zimbabwe were relentless with the ball, picking up wickets at regular intervals and never letting the batters settle. Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani were the architects of the destruction, claiming three wickets each. Brad Evans finished the job with two wickets in the final over to also end with three scalps. It looks like a straightforward chase for Zimbabwe, but stay tuned to see if Oman can fight back!

The middle order showed some resistance - The only stability came from a gritty 6th wicket partnership between Sufyan Mehmood and Vinayak Shukla, who added 42 runs off 43 balls to stop the rot. Mehmood had a lucky escape in the 14th over when a dismissal wasn't reviewed, but the stand was broken right after the Drinks break. Shukla made 28, and Mehmood scored 25, while a late cameo of 20 from Nadeem Khan dragged the score past the 100-run mark.

A mere 103 runs! Oman have crumbled to a paltry total of 103, and they need a miracle from here to come out of this game unscathed. They got off to a nightmarish start, losing wickets in clumps and found themselves reeling at 24 for 4 after the first six overs. The procession continued as the top five batters were all dismissed for single digits, including two ducks, and were in deep trouble early on.

19.5: Brad Evans to Nadeem Khan, OUT! STUNNING CATCH! One of the catches of the tournament already from Brian Bennett, and that is some way to close out the innings from Zimbabwe. Back-of-the-hand slower ball, shorter and angled into the batter. Nadeem Khan hangs deep and clubs the pull high and wide of deep mid-wicket. Bennett runs to his right and puts in a full-fledged horizontal dive, grabbing the ball, and he even manages to hold on when his elbows thud into the turf, absolutely stunning. Evans ends with three wickets, and Oman are bowled out for 103 in 19.5 overs!

19.4: Brad Evans to Nadeem Khan, Uh, oh! Brendan Taylor is taken out by Nadeem Khan. Slower one angled into the stumps, Khan heaves it towards deep mid-wicket and the batters push for two. The throw at the keeper's end is a bit wide and Khan dives in to safety, cleaning up the keeper in the process. Nothing serious, though.

19.3: Brad Evans to Shah Faisal, Back of a length and over middle, swatted down to long on for a single.

19.2: Brad Evans to Shah Faisal, FOUR! No fielder out there, and the 100 is up for Oman. A quick short ball, right at the batter. Shah Faisal swings and gets a top edge that flies over the keeper and bounces away to the fence in the fine leg side.

Shah Faisal is the last man in.

19.1: Brad Evans to Shakeel Ahmed, OUT! DRAGGED ON! Brad Evans comes around the wicket and goes full, tailing the ball back in from outside off. Shakeel Ahmed stays deep in the crease and walks across, looking to heave it away. However, he only manages an inside edge and the ball goes off the pads and onto the stumps. Evans gets his second wicket and Oman are now 96/9!

18.6: Richard Ngarava to Nadeem Khan, The pace-on short ball now and Richard Ngarava finishes with a couple of dots. Banged in short and over middle, angles across the left-hander. Khan swings and misses, and Ngarava finishes with figures of 4-1-17-3, very similar to Blessing Muzarabani.

18.5: Richard Ngarava to Nadeem Khan, Deceptively bowled by Ngarava. Slower one into the pitch and outside off, no change in arm speed. Nadeem Khan swings across the line and misses.

18.4: Richard Ngarava to Shakeel Ahmed, Oh, that should have been two runs. Slower one, full and on middle, Shakeel Ahmed digs it out through mid-wicket. The fielder running in from the deep fumbles, but the batters settle for a single.

18.3: Richard Ngarava to Nadeem Khan, Full and straight, Khan advances and converts it into a full toss. Hits it straight to mid on and keeps on running to the other end. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.

18.2: Richard Ngarava to Nadeem Khan, SIX! Sounded good off the bat and is long as well. Predictable length, short and over middle, Nadeem hangs back and smokes the pull over deep square leg for the first maximum of the innings.

18.1: Richard Ngarava to Nadeem Khan, Another one that is banged in short and angled into the batter. Nadeem Khan looks to pull but takes his eyes off the ball and cops a blow on the back of his shoulder.

17.6: Blessing Muzarabani to Nadeem Khan, Lofted away but will fall safely. Back of a length over middle, climbs on the batter. Khan swings it away off the top edge and the ball falls short of the incoming Ryan Burl at long on. Blessing Muzarabani finishes with figures of 4-1-16-3, top stuff.

17.5: Blessing Muzarabani to Shakeel Ahmed, Slower one, back of a length and around off, dabbed away to the right of short third for a single. Blessing Muzarabani is labouring back to his mark and seems a bit fatigued.

17.4: Blessing Muzarabani to Nadeem Khan, Back of a length, angled into the batter, swung away to deep mid-wicket for a run.

17.4: Blessing Muzarabani to Nadeem Khan, WIDE! Short and outside off, Nadeem gives the charge but fails to pull it away and a wide is called for height.

17.3: Blessing Muzarabani to Nadeem Khan, Swing and a miss! Short ball around off, comes in around shoulder height. Nadeem Khan looks to pull but is well beaten. The spongey bounce comes into play once again.

17.2: Blessing Muzarabani to Shakeel Ahmed, Short and outside off, Shakeel Ahmed is early to walk past the off stump and gets inside the line. However, he pulls it without any timing over square leg. Only a run.

17.1: Blessing Muzarabani to Nadeem Khan, Back of a length, hammered into the deck. Khan tries to back away and forces it uppishly towards wide mid-wicket for just a single.

16.6: Brad Evans to Nadeem Khan, Shortish length angled into the body, Khan tucks it off the hips and behind square leg for a single.

16.5: Brad Evans to Nadeem Khan, FOUR! Finally, a slice of luck is going Oman's way. Banged in quick and short over the stumps, Nadeem Khan gets hurried on the pull and gets a top edge that flies over the keeper's head for a boundary.

16.4: Brad Evans to Nadeem Khan, Back of a length ad around off, punched away sweetly but straight to covers.

16.3: Brad Evans to Shakeel Ahmed, Another well-directed short ball, Shakeel Ahmed awkwardly plays it down to long leg and picks up a single.

Oman are 8 down now. Shakeel Ahmed walks in to bat now.

16.2: Brad Evans to Sufyan Mehmood, OUT! CAUGHT! Brad Evans comes back in and sends the set batter back to the hut. This is dug in short and around off, Sufyan Mehmood rocks back and looks to climb into the pull. However, he gets it off the top edge, and the ball flies down to deep square leg. Tashinga Musekiwa settles under it well and gobbles it up. It was actually the cross-seamer from Evans and Mehmood has to walk back after a fighting knock of 25 (39).

16.1: Brad Evans to Nadeem Khan, Back of a length and over middle, Khan rocks back and swats it down to long on for a single.

15.6: Sikandar Raza to Sufyan Mehmood, Good review! An appeal for lbw and given. Sufyan Mehmood has reviewed it. Sikandar Raza pushes this one through on a nagging length and bowls it in line with the stumps. Mehmood brings out the reverse sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. The third umpire checks it and finds that there was a bit of glove involved, and the on-field decision is overturned. NOT OUT!

15.5: Sikandar Raza to Nadeem Khan, Fuller and flat on middle, Nadeem Khan has a swipe across the line but gets an inner edge down to deep backward square leg for a single.

15.4: Sikandar Raza to Nadeem Khan, Slower through the air, a bit full and outside off. Blocked off to covers.

15.3: Sikandar Raza to Sufyan Mehmood, Shortish length on off, angles back in sharply. Mehmood looks to pull but gets an inside edge down to short fine leg. Just a single.

15.2: Sikandar Raza to Nadeem Khan, Full and outside off, Khan drills it to deep cover for one more.

15.1: Sikandar Raza to Sufyan Mehmood, On the pads, helped wide of short fine leg for a single by Mehmood.

Richard Ngarava has pulled it back in the space of just 6 deliveries and Oman are in a spot of real bother. Also, Nadeem Khan is the new batter.

14.6: Richard Ngarava to Jiten Ramanandi, OUT! TAKEN! Richard Ngarava gets his third wicket. Back of a length, on middle and leg, Jiten Ramanandi shuffles across and looks to pull it, but is not in control. He gets a top edge as the ball flies towards short mid-wicket. Dion Myers runs across to his left and completes the catch. Oman continue to crumble. 3-1-9-3 ​​- Richard Ngarava is having a big impact.

14.5: Richard Ngarava to Jiten Ramanandi, Back of a length again, on off, Jiten Ramanandi looks to pull it but doesn't connect well. The ball rolls to the fielder at short mid-wicket. Dot.

14.4: Richard Ngarava to Sufyan Mehmood, Slightly shorter, on leg, Sufyan Mehmood tugs it over backward square leg for a single.

14.3: Richard Ngarava to Sufyan Mehmood, Swing and a miss! Short, outside off, and it keeps a tad low. Sufyan Mehmood looks to pull it but gets beaten due to a lack of bounce.

14.2: Richard Ngarava to Jiten Ramanandi, Back of a length, on off, Jiten Ramanandi guides it to cover for a single.

A wicket right after the break and Zimbabwe are back in business. Jiten Ramanandi is in next.

14.1: Richard Ngarava to Vinayak Shukla, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Richard Ngarava strikes right after the Drinks break. Short of a length, outside off, and he gets some extra bounce off the surface. Vinayak Shukla gets caught by surprise as he looks to play at it. It pings him on the gloves and lobs to the right of the keeper, Brendan Taylor, who dives and takes a good low catch. The partnership worth 42 (43) is broken.

DRINKS BREAK! This has been a decent recovery from Oman, but they need a lot more from the pair of Sufyan Mehmood and Vinayak Shukla if they are to post a defendable total on board. Zimbabwe have bowled really well but will be frustrated with how this partnership is going. They had a chance to break the stand but didn't review an LBW decision in the previous over. It is all about who can hold their nerves as we slowly head into the death overs.

13.6: Wellington Masakadza to Vinayak Shukla, Quicker, on leg, Vinayak Shukla flicks it through wide of mid on for a single.

13.5: Wellington Masakadza to Sufyan Mehmood, Nice and full, on leg, Sufyan Mehmood heaves it on the bounce towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

13.4: Wellington Masakadza to Vinayak Shukla, Much fuller, on off, Vinayak Shukla chips it over covers for a single.

13.3: Wellington Masakadza to Sufyan Mehmood, Short ball, on off, Sufyan Mehmood knocks it down the ground for a single.

13.2: Wellington Masakadza to Sufyan Mehmood, Flatter, outside off, Sufyan Mehmood slog sweeps it but miscues it to the fielder at cover from the cue end of the bat.

13.1: Wellington Masakadza to Sufyan Mehmood, Big shout but nothing from the umpire! Flatter, on leg, Sufyan Mehmood looks to flick it but misses. A loud appeal for an lbw but it is turned down. Perhaps pitching outside leg. They don't review it. Replays later show that the ball was actually pitching in line, and had Zimbabwe reviewed it, it would have been a wicket. A chance missed for the African nation.

An expensive last over from Brian Bennett has prompted a bowling change. Wellington Masakadza (1-0-8-0) is back on.

12.6: Sikandar Raza to Vinayak Shukla, Quicker, outside off, Vinayak Shukla tries to play at it but misses.

12.5: Sikandar Raza to Sufyan Mehmood, Half-tracker, on off, Sufyan Mehmood drills it down the ground for a single at long off.

12.4: Sikandar Raza to Sufyan Mehmood, Short, on leg, Sufyan Mehmood flicks it to the fielder at square leg.

12.3: Sikandar Raza to Vinayak Shukla, Quicker, on leg, Vinayak Shukla flicks it to mid-wicket for a run.

12.2: Sikandar Raza to Vinayak Shukla, Brilliant work in the deep! Flatter, on middle and leg, Vinayak Shukla slogs it over mid-wicket. Brad Evans dives full-length to his right and makes an excellent stop near the fence. The umpire gets it checked upstairs, and the replay confirms that it was a clean stop. The batters collect two runs.

Boundary check. Seemed like a great piece of fielding in the deep but the ball did trickle really close to the ropes. The third umpire has a look and it is confirmed that Brad Evans managed to save the boundary.

12.1: Sikandar Raza to Sufyan Mehmood, Nice and full, on leg, Sufyan Mehmood nudges it to wide mid on for a single.

A slight halt in play as Sufyan Mehmood changes his gloves.

11.6: Brian Bennett to Vinayak Shukla, FOUR AGAIN! Hat-trick of boundaries! Also, make that four boundaries in the over. Short, on middle and leg, Vinayak Shukla goes deep in his crease and pulls it powerfully through square leg. The fielder dives to his right near the fence but fails to stop the boundary. The partnership moves to 33 (30) and is leading Oman's recovery.

11.5: Brian Bennett to Vinayak Shukla, FOUR MORE! Just the over that Oman needed! Quicker, outside off, Vinayak Shukla uses the pace of the ball and guides it through short third for a boundary.

11.4: Brian Bennett to Vinayak Shukla, FOUR! Second boundary of the over! Flatter, on middle and leg, Vinayak Shukla gets down on one knee and slogs it magnificently over square leg for a boundary.

11.3: Brian Bennett to Vinayak Shukla, Loopy, outside off, Vinayak Shukla swings hard but misses.

11.2: Brian Bennett to Sufyan Mehmood, Keeps it full, on leg, Sufyan Mehmood flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

11.1: Brian Bennett to Sufyan Mehmood, FOUR! Much-needed boundary here! Flatter, on middle, Sufyan Mehmood gets in position early and plays a reverse sweep over backward point for a boundary.

10.6: Sikandar Raza to Sufyan Mehmood, Loopy from Raza, outside off, Sufyan Mehmood slaps it to backward point for a run.

10.5: Sikandar Raza to Vinayak Shukla, Full, on middle and leg, Vinayak Shukla flicks it to backward square leg for a single.

10.4: Sikandar Raza to Vinayak Shukla, Fires it in, on the stumps, and it nips in. Vinayak Shukla gets his bat down in time and blocks it to short cover.

10.3: Sikandar Raza to Sufyan Mehmood, Quicker, outside off, Sufyan Mehmood punches it through mid off for one more.

10.2: Sikandar Raza to Vinayak Shukla, Fired in, on leg, Vinayak Shukla tucks it to wide mid on for a run.

10.1: Sikandar Raza to Sufyan Mehmood, Flatter, shorter and on off, Sufyan Mehmood knocks it down to long on for a single.

9.6: Wellington Masakadza to Vinayak Shukla, Floated up, full and on off, pushed out to covers.

9.5: Wellington Masakadza to Vinayak Shukla, Drifted into the pads, quicker too, Shukla looks to block but gets hit on the pads.

9.4: Wellington Masakadza to Vinayak Shukla, Two more. Tossed up on a length, Vinayak Shukla comes forward and chips it over extra cover for another brace.

9.3: Wellington Masakadza to Vinayak Shukla, Full and angled into the batter, Shukla makes room leg side and drives it to deep extra cover for a couple of runs more.

9.2: Wellington Masakadza to Vinayak Shukla, FOUR! Fine shot! Tossed up around off, Vinayak Shukla dances down the pitch and lifts it over extra cover for a boundary.

9.1: Wellington Masakadza to Vinayak Shukla, Starts with a flighted ball on off, Shukla taps it to covers.

8.6: Brad Evans to Sufyan Mehmood, Fuller than a good length on off, punched away to covers. Zimbabwe have a stranglehold on this match right now.

8.5: Brad Evans to Sufyan Mehmood, Another appeal for LBW, turned down again. Good-length delivery on off, slants back in. Mehmood looks to work it leg side but replays show that there was an inside edge onto the pads. No review taken.

8.4: Brad Evans to Sufyan Mehmood, Well-directed short ball! Around the wicket to the left-hander, dug in halfway down the pitch and over middle, Sufyan Mehmood sways his head away from the line of the ball.

8.3: Brad Evans to Vinayak Shukla, Fuller and o middle, tucked away wide of mid-wicket for a single.

8.2: Brad Evans to Vinayak Shukla, Half an appeal for LBW but there seemed to be an inside edge on it. Pitched up on off stump, darts back in, Vinayak Shukla looks to block but is beaten past the inside edge and gets hit high on the pads. 

8.1: Brad Evans to Sufyan Mehmood, Back of a length, angled in from outside off. Mehmood hits it on the up and through the point region for a single.

7.6: Brian Bennett to Sufyan Mehmood, Oh, nearly chopped on. Shorter one, angled into the batter, Mehmood looks to pull but gets an inside edge past leg stump. The ball rolls to short fine leg and they get a single. No maiden over for Brian Bennett.

7.5: Brian Bennett to Sufyan Mehmood, Full and outside off, pushed out into the off side. Five dots to begin with from Brian Bennett.

7.4: Brian Bennett to Sufyan Mehmood, Beaten! Tossed up, full and outside off. Sufyan Mehmood is drawn into the drive but gets beaten by the turn.

7.3: Brian Bennett to Sufyan Mehmood, Flat and full, just outside off, Mehmood leans on and pushes it to covers.

7.2: Brian Bennett to Sufyan Mehmood, A bit fuller, sliding on from around off, eased away to extra cover now.

7.1: Brian Bennett to Sufyan Mehmood, Short ball outside off, holds in the pitch. Mehmood taps it to covers.

What a beauty from Sikandar Raza. Vinayak Shukla is the new batter in.

6.6: Sikandar Raza to Wasim Ali, OUT! TIMBER! Oh, that's a gem of a delivery from Sikandar Raza. Excellent change-up from the Zimbabwe skipper. This is flighted up, full and on middle. The ball goes straight on with the arm and doesn't spin. Wasim Ali leans on and plays down the wrong line. The ball goes through the gate between bat and pad, castling into the stumps. Oman are reeling at 27/5 now.

6.5: Sikandar Raza to Sufyan Mehmood, Fuller and on the pads, wristed wide of short fine leg for another single.

6.4: Sikandar Raza to Wasim Ali, A tad shorter and around off, cut away off the back foot to deep point for a single. Oman need these singles to just ease the pressure a bit.

6.3: Sikandar Raza to Wasim Ali, Very full and drifted in, Wasim Ali gets inside the line and tickles it down to short fine leg.

6.2: Sikandar Raza to Sufyan Mehmood, Flighted ball, full and outside off, stroked awya through cover-point for a single.

6.1: Sikandar Raza to Sufyan Mehmood, Raza comes around the wicket and drifts it into the pads. Mehmood tucks it down to short fine leg.

Drinks! Oman is in deep trouble at 24 for 4 after the first six overs, desperately needing a rescue act from batters Wasim Ali and Sufyan Mehmood. They must build a steady partnership to give their team a fighting chance and post a decent score. Zimbabwe bowlers are completely on top and will be hunting for quick wickets to keep the pressure high and bundle Oman out cheaply. The skipper, Sikandar Raza comes into the attack now.

5.6: Blessing Muzarabani to Sufyan Mehmood, Back of a length, angled across off, Mehmood nudges it away wide of short third and picks up a single. Oman end the Powerplay at 24/4!

5.5: Blessing Muzarabani to Sufyan Mehmood, Oh, that could have been trouble for Mehmood. Hard length on leg, Mehmood nudges it to mid-wicket and sets off for a single before he is sent back. A direct hit might have been interesting here.

5.4: Blessing Muzarabani to Sufyan Mehmood, Back of a length, angled across off, Mehmood lets it go.

5.3: Blessing Muzarabani to Sufyan Mehmood, FOUR! Well controlled by Mehmood. Short again over middle, doesn't rise up much. Mehmood picks the length early and pulls it in front of square leg for a welcome boundary.

5.2: Blessing Muzarabani to Sufyan Mehmood, Pitches the ball fuller and around off, Mehmood pushes it out to covers.

5.1: Blessing Muzarabani to Sufyan Mehmood, Good short ball. Banged in over off and middle, comes in around head height. Sufyan Mehmood swings at it but misses.

4.6: Brad Evans to Wasim Ali, Not in control. Back of a length, on off, Wasim Ali hops a bit and looks to block it, but gets an outside edge as the ball goes on the bounce towards the fielder at cover. Dot to end the over. Another tidy over for Zimbabwe.

4.5: Brad Evans to Wasim Ali, Hard length, on off, Wasim Ali pushes it to the fielder at cover. Wasim Ali wanted a single but Sufyan Mehmood sends him back.

4.4: Brad Evans to Sufyan Mehmood, Back of a length, outside off, Sufyan Mehmood tries to slap it but the ball hits the bottom part of his bat and goes towards deep backward point. They cross.

4.3: Brad Evans to Sufyan Mehmood, Slower one, short and on leg, Sufyan Mehmood tries to flick it but the ball hits the upper part of his bat and rolls to the right of the bowler. 

4.2: Brad Evans to Wasim Ali, Nice and full, outside off, Wasim Ali looks to drive it but miscues it through backward point for a run.

4.1: Brad Evans to Wasim Ali, Slower one, short and on off, Wasim Ali blocks it to mid off.

Sufyan Mehmood walks in to bat now.

3.6: Blessing Muzarabani to Karan Sonavale, OUT! ANOTHER CAUGHT BEHIND! Wicket number four down, and Oman are sinking fast. Muzarabani bangs it in short and hostile, climbing awkwardly into the ribs. Sonavale is rushed, half fends and half hopes, only to glove it through. The ball lobs kindly to the keeper, and Brendan Taylor accepts the simplest of catches, moving to his left. 3 for 5 in 2 overs of Muzarabani. Exceptional.

3.5: Blessing Muzarabani to Karan Sonavale, On a length, outside off, Karan Sonavale tries to drive it but gets a blow on his pads. Dot.

3.4: Blessing Muzarabani to Wasim Ali, Much fuller, outside off, Wasim Ali flicks it to wide of mid on for a single.

Wasim Ali walks in to bat now.

3.3: Blessing Muzarabani to Aamir Kaleem, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and Zimbabwe are on a rampage here. Blessing Muzarabani bangs it in a bit short and wide outside off. Aamir Kaleem throws the hands at it and slices it down to deep third. Dion Myers completes the catch and Oman lose their third wicket inside the first 4 overs.

3.2: Blessing Muzarabani to Aamir Kaleem, Short ball, outside off, Aamir Kaleem tries to pull it but misses.

3.1: Blessing Muzarabani to Aamir Kaleem, FOUR! Nicely played! Back of a length, outside off, Aamir Kaleem steps back to make room and then has to reach out before slapping it over point for a boundary. A good start to the over for Oman. 

2.6: Richard Ngarava to Karan Sonavale, FOUR LEG BYES! Oh, that just missed the stumps! Back of a length, outside off, Karan Sonavale stays back and looks to flick it but the ball clips his pads and races through the right of the keeper for a boundary. No runs off the bat and it's a wicket maiden for Richard Ngarava. 

2.5: Richard Ngarava to Karan Sonavale, Back of a length, outside off, Karan Sonavale tries to pull it but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls back towards the right of the bowler. Dot again.

2.4: Richard Ngarava to Karan Sonavale, Nice and full, outside off, Karan Sonavale pushes it gently towards the fielder at point. 

2.3: Richard Ngarava to Karan Sonavale, On a length, down leg, Karan Sonavale looks to flick it but wears it on his body. The ball rolls towards square leg. Dot.

That is wicket number two for Zimbabwe. Karan Sonavale walks in to bat now.

2.2: Richard Ngarava to Hammad Mirza, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! That was not a wicket-taking delivery and the bowler is really lucky. Second wicket falls for Oman. Short of a length, outside off, Hammad Mirza stays back and tries to pull it, but misses it completely. Gets a feather and the keeper, Brendan Taylor, behind the stumps, makes no mistake. Hammad Mirza departs without scoring. 

2.1: Richard Ngarava to Hammad Mirza, Hard length, outside off, with a hint of movement. Hammad Mirza tries to pull it but gets beaten.

1.6: Blessing Muzarabani to Aamir Kaleem, A successful over from Blessing Muzarabani. Short of a length, on middle, Aamir Kaleem tries to pull it but gets a blow on his rib cage. The ball rolls to the point fielder. Dot to end the over.

1.5: Blessing Muzarabani to Aamir Kaleem, Good length, on middle, Aamir Kaleem turns it to the fielder at backward square leg. Dot.

1.4: Blessing Muzarabani to Hammad Mirza, Sways it down the leg side, Hammad Mirza backs away and looks to block it but the ball hits his pads and rolls towards short third. A stifled appeal but turned down. The batters collect a leg bye.

1.3: Blessing Muzarabani to Hammad Mirza, Fractionally short again, on middle and leg, Hammad Mirza stays back and fends it to the right of the bowler.

1.2: Blessing Muzarabani to Hammad Mirza, Back of a length, on middle, Hammad Mirza hops a bit and blocks it to short mid-wicket.

Wonderful start from Blessing Muzarabani. Hammad Mirza walks in at number 3.

1.1: Blessing Muzarabani to Jatinder Singh, OUT! TIMBER! That is a perfect length from Blessing Muzarabani. A massive wicket for Zimbabwe. On a length, on off, and it nips in a shade. Jatinder Singh stays deep in his crease and looks to block it, but the ball goes through his bat and his pad, and hits the top of middle. What a start from Blessing Muzarabani, dismissing the Oman skipper for only 5!

7 off the first over. Blessing Muzarabani to share the attack.

0.6: Richard Ngarava to Aamir Kaleem, Aerial but safe. Some extra bounce from a length around off, Kaleem pushes at it and gets it away from the outer half of the bat. It lobs towards backward point but doesn't carry to the fielder. A good first over!

0.5: Richard Ngarava to Jatinder Singh, Well stopped. Back of a length on the pads, glanced fine and it is heading away quickly. Muzarabani, the tall man, dives full length to his right at short fine and cuts it off. Saves a certain boundary and the batters cross.

0.4: Richard Ngarava to Jatinder Singh, FOUR! The first boundary of the match is away. Ngarava bangs it in short on middle, Jatinder is early into position, rides the bounce and rolls the wrists on a delightful pull behind square leg. That is timed to perfection.

0.3: Richard Ngarava to Jatinder Singh, Just a fraction short on middle. Jatinder stays on the back foot and nudges it gently to the man in front of square leg.

0.2: Richard Ngarava to Jatinder Singh, Good length, just outside off. Jatinder stays back and plays it with soft hands, dropping it safely onto the pitch.

0.1: Richard Ngarava to Aamir Kaleem, Pitches it up and outside off, Kaleem hangs back to heave it over the leg side but ends up dragging it off the inner half to mid on. They rush across for a run.

0.1: Richard Ngarava to Aamir Kaleem, Wide! Ngarava starts from around the wicket to the left-hander. Short of a length and sliding down the leg side. Kaleem looks to help it on its way but gets nothing on it. The umpire stretches the arms, wide called.

Done with the pre-match formalities! The sun is shining brightly here in Colombo. The Zimbabwean players spread out from the huddle and take up the fielding positions. Aamir Kaleem and Jatinder Singh are the two openers for Oman. Richard Ngarava has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. A slip in place. Let's play...

It is now time for the national anthems. The on-field umpires make their way out in the middle. Sikandar Raza and Jatinder Singh lead their respective teams out to the middle as well. It will be the national anthem of Oman first, followed by that of Zimbabwe.

Oman's skipper - Jatinder Singh says that they would have bowled as well, as it is a good track and batting will be better in the second innings. He adds that they arrived in Sri Lanka quite early and have had good preparation. Tells that it is quite humid here compared to Oman. He feels that a score of 150-160 is ideal on this surface and that anything above that will be a bonus.

The captain of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza says that they want to bowl first, as, looking at the wicket, there could be early movement. He adds that the pitch will get better later, so they want to give their seamers the best chance to bowl. He mentions that Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka share a good relationship, and they allowed them to come here early for preparation. On what will be a good score, Sikandar jokes that getting one more than the opposition will work. Shares that the idea is to bowl well and restrict Oman to a low score. He confirms that the bowling combination includes three seamers and two spinners.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Brendan Taylor (WK), Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.

Oman (Playing XI) - Jatinder Singh (C), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Jiten Ramanandi, Vinayak Shukla (WK), Sufyan Mehmood, Nadeem Khan, Shah Faisal, Shakeel Ahmed.

TOSS - The coin lands in favour of Sikandar Raza and Zimbabwe elect to BOWL first.