Zimbabwe Chooses to Bowl as Muzarabani Returns Against Oman
The men’s T20 World Cup match saw Zimbabwe choosing to bowl first against Oman at the SSC in Colombo. Captained by Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe was eager to make an impact on the field. The early arrival of both teams in Sri Lanka helped them adjust to the playing conditions.
Key Player Returns
One of the most significant developments for Zimbabwe is the return of Blessing Muzarabani. The fast bowler missed the November tri-series in Pakistan but rejoined the squad for this crucial match. Additionally, Graeme Cremer’s return after a long absence added depth to the team’s lineup.
Oman’s Lineup
Oman also made headlines with the inclusion of Aamir Kaleem. At 44 years old, he is the oldest player in this tournament. Kaleem stepped in for Hasnain Shah, who suffered an injury before the tournament commenced.
Previous T20 World Cup Experience
Zimbabwe is back in the T20 World Cup after missing the last edition in the West Indies and the USA. In the 2022 tournament, they reached the Super 12s but could not qualify for the 2024 series. They secured their spot alongside Namibia, with Brian Bennett being the top run-scorer.
- Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-takers included Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava.
- Oman qualified from the Asia-Pacific region along with Nepal and the UAE.
- Oman has participated in the T20 World Cup in 2016, 2021, and 2024.
Team Lineups
| Zimbabwe | Oman |
|---|---|
| 1. Brian Bennett | 1. Jatinder Singh (capt) |
| 2. Tadiwanashe Marumani | 2. Aamir Kaleem |
| 3. Dion Myers | 3. Hammad Mirza |
| 4. Brendan Taylor (wk) | 4. Wasim Ali |
| 5. Sikandar Raza (capt) | 5. Karan Sonavale |
| 6. Ryan Burl | 6. Jiten Ramanandi |
| 7. Tashinga Musekiwa | 7. Vinayak Shukla (wk) |
| 8. Brad Evans | 8. Sufyan Mehmood |
| 9. Wellington Masakadza | 9. Nadeem Khan |
| 10. Richard Ngarava | 10. Shah Faisal |
| 11. Blessing Muzarabani | 11. Shakeel Ahmad |
As the match progresses, both teams are prepared to showcase their talents. Zimbabwe aims to capitalize on their homecoming, while Oman looks to leverage their past experience.
