Match Summary: Zimbabwe 106 for 2 (Bennett 48*, Mehmood 2-12) beat Oman 103 (Shukla 28, Muzarabani 3-16, Evans 3-18, Ngarava 3-17) by eight wickets
ZIMBABWE'S pace bowlers ran riot at the SSC Stadium, reducing Oman to a below-par 103 before the batsmen guided the team to a comfortable eight-wicket win in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup opener yesterday.
Oman lost their first four wickets in 24 balls and reeling on 17/4 earlier on, Blessing Muzarabani running riot with three wickets, his twin tower Richard Ngarava getting the other.
Oman never recovered as their next four wickets yielded 59 runs, but they were still struggling on 76/8 after 16.2 overs.
The remaining two wickets fell cheaply and were bowled out for 103, setting Zimbabwe a target of 104.
Opener Tadiwanashe Marumani set the tone with audacious boundaries, though he fell for 21.
Brendan Taylor notched the ball around but retired hurt on 31 before Brian Bennett, unbeaten on 48 and captain Sikandar Raza, five from two balls not out, took the team over the line with Zimbabwe reaching 106/2 in 13.3 overs.
The day resumed on a positive note with Chevrons' skipper Raza winning the toss and opting to field first.
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It was not a call to regret, powered by the vocal support of fans from Castle Corner.
Zimbabwe’s ambassador to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Maldives, Stella Nkomo, in her all-Chevrons gear, joined in the fun singing and dancing in support of the team.
Muzarabani finished with three for 16 in four overs, Ngarava and Brad Evans picked three apiece for 17 and 18 respectively, while Raza took one.
The fans were treated to some local music from the announcer's desk, the likes of Hello Mwari by Jah Master and Donator Calvin’s Door Ratovharwa, among others.
Seamer Ngarava said the warm-up defeat against Oman was never an issue to worry about.
“Coming on to the warm-up game, it was just all about trying to get everyone an opportunity,” he said.
"We sort of had to see what was on the table while playing them, which was pretty good, but of course, coming on to the main game, our plans were just pretty simple. Everyone goes with their strengths and just makes sure we do it.”
