marble nkomo
ZIMBABWE were last week dealt a psychological blow when the small Middle East nation of Oman cruised to a comfortable four-wicket victory over them during their second and final ICC T20 World Cup warm-up match last week.
The Chevrons were fresh a similarly easy victory over the Netherlands (29 runs) and their match against Oman acted as dress rehearsal for their World Cup as the two nations have been pooled together at the global showcase currently being co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.
Ireland, Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka complete the group.
Zimbabwe open their T20 World Cup campaign against Oman tomorrow with both nations understood to have done their homework on the other during the last couple of days.
That match begins at 11.30am in Colombo.
For long, Oman’s batting has revolved around Jatinder Singh and Aqib Ilyas, the two talisman at the top of the order.
However, in recent months though, there have been encouraging signs of other batters beginning to shoulder responsibility, something Zimbabwe coach Justin Sammons should have taken note of since the two sides’ last encounter.
Hammad Mirza, who memorably took on Kuldeep Yadav in Abu Dhabi in the 2025 Asia Cup, is viewed as a high-upside prospect, while Karan Sonavale offers similar intent up top.
The unanswered question, though, is whether this emerging group can summon the composure and clarity required in high-pressure scenarios against quality opponents.
With the ball, spin is clearly Oman’s trump card.
They can deploy at least three frontline fingerspinners in Wasim Ali, Shakeel Ahmed and Jay Odedara, complemented by Nadeem Khan’s left-arm spin.
If the Sri Lankan surfaces are dry and offer turn, this attack could make Oman more than a handful.
Oman last featured in the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Qatar, soon after the T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifiers in October.
But in general, unlike their counterparts in the UAE or the USA — where several national players get opportunities in the ILT20 and MLC respectively — or in Nepal — buoyed by the roaring success of the NPL —Omani cricketers have largely had to rely on training camps and their own domestic set-up, featuring two T20 tournaments — the D20 and the D20 Super League.
Oman have also played a series of practice matches in Sri Lanka and put themselves through a demanding conditioning camp under head coach. Duleep Mendis.
His familiarity with the conditions and local knowledge could prove invaluable in the weeks ahead.
Oman managed a solitary win over UAE, in the three matches they played at the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Qatar in November.
Prior to that, they won five of their six matches at the T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifiers.
Before that, they endured a winless Asia Cup campaign, losing all three group games, including to UAE.
This means that warm-up victory over Zimbabwe could possibly be their biggest win and they will seek to replicate it tomorrow when there is a lot more at stake.
Still, there were positives to cling on to, most notably a spirited showing against India in Abu Dhabi.
At the age of 44, Aamir Kaleem has earned an unlikely recall as a replacement for the injured Hassnain Shah, a day prior to the squad’s departure, making him the oldest player in the competition.
Until recently, Oman’s national Under-19 coach, Kaleem, was drafted back into the senior set-up ahead of last year’s Asia Cup in the UAE on the back of strong domestic performances.
He justified the call-up with a half-century against India and has continued to press his case in the build-up to this edition as well.
A lower-order batter who bowls left-arm spin, Nadeem Khan was central to Oman’s qualification from the EAP Qualifiers.
On a sluggish pitch where runs were hard to come by, his unbeaten 30 off 16 balls clinched a tense win over UAE with two deliveries to spare.
A defeat there could have seriously jeopardised Oman’s chances.
Nadeem also picked up 11 wickets, joint third-most in the tournament.
Two years ago, Kaleem and Jatinder Singh might not have imagined themselves playing this tournament.
Now, they arrive with an opportunity to build on gains from last year’s Asia Cup.
By the time the next edition comes around, Kaleem will be 46 and Jatinder 38.
They may still be part of Oman’s journey then, perhaps from the dugout rather than the middle. But never say never. — Cricinfo/Zimpapers Sports Hub.
Bongani Ndlovu