Thu Feb 05 05:20:00 UTC 2026: ### Oman, Zimbabwe, and Nepal Secure Confident Wins in T20 World Cup Warm-Up Matches
The Story:
Oman, Zimbabwe, and Nepal have started their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 preparations on a positive note, each securing victories in their respective warm-up matches held in Colombo and Chennai on Tuesday, February 4, 2026. Oman defeated Sri Lanka A by five wickets, powered by Aamir Kaleem’s half-century. Zimbabwe overcame the Netherlands with a 29-run victory. Nepal impressed with a seven-wicket win against UAE. These matches serve as vital preparation for the upcoming tournament, offering teams the chance to fine-tune strategies and assess player form.
Key Points:
- Oman defeated Sri Lanka A by five wickets, with Aamir Kaleem scoring 80 off 47 balls.
- Shah Faisal, Shakeel Ahmed, and Jay Odedra each claimed two wickets for Oman against Sri Lanka A.
- Zimbabwe defeated the Netherlands by 29 runs, posting 178/9. Ryan Burl top-scored with 50 off 31 runs.
- Richard Ngarava took 3/11 for Zimbabwe against the Netherlands.
- Nepal secured a seven-wicket win against UAE, with Dipendra Singh Airee scoring 50 and Aarif Sheikh hitting 61.
- The T20 World Cup opener between Netherlands and Pakistan will be on February 7 in Colombo.
- Oman is in Group B along with Australia, Ireland, Zimbabwe and co-hosts Sri Lanka and will begin their campaign on February 9, against Zimbabwe.
Key Takeaways:
- Oman’s victory showcases the strength of their batting lineup, particularly the experience of Aamir Kaleem.
- Zimbabwe’s all-round performance, with both bat and ball, signals a strong contender in their group.
- Nepal’s win against UAE highlights the growing competitiveness of associate nations in the T20 format.
- Warm-up matches provide valuable insights into team form and potential strategies before the main tournament.
- The proximity of the Sri Lanka A vs Oman game being covered by commentary just before this warm up signals the importance and high profile of these matches.
First Piper 