Zimbabwe Playing XI vs Oman Playing XI will mark a clash between the two most challenging playing XIs among the underdogs. There is a good chance for either of these two teams to make a great start to the tournament as they will face the mighty Australian team and co-hosts Sri Lanka in the future as they are part of the same group.
This article provides Zimbabwe and Oman’s probable playing XIs for the eighth T20 World Cup clash in 2026, as well as take a look at possible player combinations and key players at the Sri Lankan venue at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Zimbabwe Playing XI vs Oman Playing XI, Match No. 8 – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Zimbabwe Playing XI vs Oman – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Openers: Brian Bennett and Tadivanashe Marumani
Zimbabwe does not have the best explosive batsmen to open the innings for them like most other opposition teams. However, they have now promoted Brian Bennett, who often beats the bowlers within the powerplay, as, like every team, they also attempt to utilize the fielding restrictions.
Middle-order batsmen: Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (captain), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brendan Taylor
Dion Myers is an explosive middle-order batsman and he is followed by captain Sikandar Raza. The experienced all-rounder is not only a great run-scorer at the top order but is also their most famous cricketer with global stardom.
Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa and Brendan Taylor are not only middle-order batsmen but also the core of innings stability. Brendan Taylor has immense experience.
Bowlers: Bradley Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga/Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarwa.
Zimbabwe’s bowling deck looks to be the most experienced, with frontline spinners like Wellington Masakadza, as well as other fast bowlers in the team. Muzarabani and Ngarwa are likely to be the leading fast bowlers.
Zimbabwe playing XI: Brian Bennett, Tadivanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (captain), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brendan Taylor, Bradley Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga/Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarwa.
Oman Playing XI vs Zimbabwe – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Openers: Jatinder Singh and Hammad Mirza
Jatinder Singh and Hammad Mirza contributed in opening the innings for Oman. However, their opening order does not remain the same, as the captain may find himself pushed down the order to promote Aamir Kaleem from the middle order.
Middle-order batsmen: Aamir Kaleem, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonawale, Mohammad Nadeem, Vinayak Shukla
Aamir Kaleem is their most in-form batsman and can replace the captain in the top-order opening pair. Other middle-order batsmen include Wasim Ali, Karam Sonawale and Vinayak Shukla, who is a prolific power hitter in the lower order.
Mohammad Nadeem is one of the best all-rounders for them, who brings with him immense experience. Although his role is more with the ball, he has some good statistics in his favor with the bat.
Bowlers: Jiten Ramanandhi, Sufyan Mahmood, Shakeel Ahmed and Faisal Shah
Faisal Shah and Sufiyan Mahmood could be the leading wicket-taking options for Oman. They have many more bowling options to choose from and they make many bowling changes in the innings, which do not allow the opponent to survive.
Oman playing eleven: Jatinder Singh (captain), Hammad Mirza, Aamir Kaleem, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonawale, Mohammad Nadeem, Vinayak Shukla, Jiten Ramanandi, Sufiyan Mahmood, Shakeel Ahmed and Faisal Shah.
Also Read: Complete list of players retained by PSL teams ahead of auction; Babar Azam retained, Mohammad Rizwan out
