T20 World Cup: Blessing Muzarabani’s early strikes win it for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe produced a clinical allround display to beat Oman by eight wickets, chasing down a modest target of 104 with more than six overs to spare in their T20 World Cup opener in Colombo on Monday.

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Oman’s innings never gained momentum, thanks to a disciplined new-ball spell from Blessing Muzarabani. The pacer removed Jatinder Singh and Aamir Kaleem before having Karan Sonavale caught behind as Oman slumped to 17/4 in four overs. Left-arm pacer Richard Ngarava added to the damage, finding movement to dismiss Hammad Mirza and later slicing through the middle order to finish with three wickets.




After the early collapse, Sufyan Mehmood anchored the innings with a patient 25 off 39 while wicketkeeper Vinayak Shukla provided a brisk 21-ball 28 to give Oman innings semblance of respectability. Pacer Brad Evans’ late three-wicket burst ensured that Oman were bowled out for 103 in 19.5 overs.

Zimbabwe’s chase was a mere formality. Brian Bennett set the tone with seven boundaries in his unbeaten 48 off 36 deliveries. Tadiwanashe Marumani added early impetus with a rapid 21 from 11 balls before falling to Sufyan Mehmood, who briefly raised Oman’s hopes with two wickets in an over. Brendan Taylor’s composed 31 steadied the ship before captain Sikandar Raza finished the proceedings with a boundary.

Brief scores: Zimbabwe 106/2 in 13.3 overs (Brian Bennett 48*; Sufyan Mehmood 2/12) beat Oman 103 all out in 19.5 overs (Vinayak Shukla 28; Richard Ngarava 3/17, Blessing Muzarabani 3/16, Brad Evans 3/18) by 8 wkts

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