ZIMBABWE are targeting a flying start in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign, with a crucial Group B clash against Oman today.
Head coach Justin Sammons has set his sights firmly on guiding the team into the Super 8 stage.
“The team is excited. Our aim is to get out of the group and play in the Super 8. It would be an incredible achievement. The way you do it is to win one ball at a time and every moment,” Sammons told NewsDay Sport.
“Obviously, you can't win every ball, but you must have that kind of mindset to win the big moments. We must have a presence of mind that gives us the best chance to be able to do that. If we're doing that, we have a real chance to come out positively on the other end.”
The team comes into the match on the back of a convincing 29-run win over the Netherlands in their first warm-up match, and a defeat against Oman in their “spying” mission.
Sammons believes he has gathered enough information to navigate past the Asian side.
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Against the Netherlands, Ryan Burl scored a half-century, while Richard Ngarava (3 wickets), Graeme Cremer (2 wickets), and Wellington Masakadza (2 wickets) impressed with their bowling prowess.
“These eight days that we had before the start were brilliant. And as well as the period that we've had for the guys to hone in and try to master their strengths as much as possible,“ Sammons said.
He stressed the importance of preparation and execution under pressure.
"When it comes down to the tournament, obviously the pressure's gonna be on, the heat's gonna be on,“ he said.
“It's about trusting your ability to execute under pressure, if they can gain that trust and keep gaining that trust and then back themselves to execute.“
The team's focus during the early camp in Colombo was on building confidence and momentum ahead of their World Cup opener, as Sammons prefers to take it one match at a time.
“I mean, that's all that you can ask of the group. Obviously, we all know cricket, the guy can execute but still come off second best because you are playing against high-level opposition, but at least you have the confidence to back your skill, and that's what I'm hoping the guys can get out there and do,“ he said.
High-flying Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza is currently sitting on top of the world as the T20I number one all-rounder and is fresh from a victorious stint in the SA T20. He is ready to lead the team to the promised land. The team welcomes back two veterans, former captains Brendan Taylor and Graeme Cremer, after a lengthy sabbatical.
“It's awesome having Creamer and BT in the squad. They've been so good in terms of what they've given off the field. People only see the on-field stuff, but what they give off the field has been tremendous,” Sammons said.
“You know, Creamer is there aiding and working with the spinners and really talking the whole time to them, and the same with BT, you know, he's really driven, a huge professionalism in the squad, and it's great to see a player, especially for the younger guys that we have in our team. So they've been so good in terms of the value they're adding off the field, and we're lucky to have them in our squad."
The team is excited. We aim to get out of the group and play in the Super 8. It would be an incredible achievement. the way you do it is to win one ball at a time and every moment,“ he said.
Zimbabwe squad — ICC men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Sikandar Raza (captain), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Brendan Taylor