T20 World Cup: Brian Bennett reaches 48* and Blessing Muzarabane takes 3-16 as Zimbabwe win by eight wickets over Oman

Zimbabwe opened their T20 World Cup campaign with a comfortable eight-wicket win over Oman thanks to an unbeaten 48 from Brian Bennett.

Oman struggled with the pace and bounce of Zimbabwe’s pace attack at the Sinhala Sports Club in Colombo as they were trounced for 103.

Blessing Mezarabani overcame the top-ranking Associate Nation by 3-16 and at 27-5, Oman were in danger of being bowled out at less than their lowest total in a World Cup finals – 47 against England in the North Sound in 2024.

But the 44-run stand between Sufyan Mahmood and Vinayak Shukla has at least added some respectability to the scorecard for Oman, who are ranked 20th in the world.

Shukla top-scored with 28 off 21 balls while Mahmoud scored 25 off 39 deliveries and were two of only three Omani players to reach double figures.

The other was Nadeem Khan, who struck just six of the innings, en route to an 18-ball 20 before Bennett dismissed him with a brilliant diving deep over.

Richard Ngarava and Brad Evans finished with scores of 3-17 and 3-18 respectively for Chevron.

Zimbabwe, who failed to qualify for the last World Cup, made relatively light work of the run chase as they bowled out the total in 13.3 overs.

Mahmoud beat Tadiwanashe Marumane and Dion Mayers at the same time – the second of the review after a brilliant catch by wicket-keeper Shukla – to cause some nerves for Zimbabwe at 30-2.

But Oman were unable to make any further progress as opener Bennett hit seven balls during a fluent 36-ball knock.

The only negative for Zimbabwe was when Brendan Taylor pulled out with a hamstring injury and had to retire injured in the 31st minute, leaving skipper Sikandar Raza to pick up the win.