Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE appeared to have piled on a big total but a gritty Oman chased it, with four wickets in hand, in the final warm-up matches ahead of the start of the ICC T20 World Cup.
Fifties from Brian Bennett (56) and Tashinga Musekiwa (54*) gave the Chevrons what appeared to be a good total of 187/7 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, yesterday.However, those half centuries were in vain for Zimbabwe as Oman chased down 188 with four balls to spare.
Brendan Taylor (26) and Dion Myers (26) chipped in with valuable contributions as it looked like Zimbabwe had amassed a massive total.
But it is Oman who will enter the World Cup with some extra confidence after this victory.
Opening batter Jatinder Singh led the way by smashing 55 off 33 balls in the 188 chase.
Jiten Ramanandi wrapped up with his cameo of 34 not out off 18 deliveries.
The two teams come face-to-face once again in their opening match of the tournament in Colombo on Monday.
Captain Aamir Kaleem’s 23 off 11 with two fours and two sixes gave Oman a blazing start.
Jatinder then added 79 for the second wicket with Hammad Mirza, who scored 35 off 25 balls, to pave the way for victory.
Blessing Muzarabani picked up two wickets for Zimbabwe but he conceded 41 runs in his four overs. Earlier, Oman opted to bowl first, but saw Zimbabwe get off to a flying start.
Bennett smashed 56 in only 28 balls as he dominated the opening stand of 86 with Brendan Taylor.
But despite that rapid start, Zimbabwe found themselves at 94 for 5 in the 11th over, with Taylor having retired out on 26.
But Musekiwa took over from there, and thumped 54 not out in 28 deliveries.
He added 43 for the sixth wicket with Dion Myers, and 33 for the seventh with Brad Evans to take Zimbabwe to 187.
That total didn’t prove to be enough, though, as Oman won with four balls remaining.
Sufyan Mehmood (3 for 22) and Nadeem Khan (2 for 26) were the pick of the bowlers for Oman, and triggered a mini-collapse from 86 for 1 to 94 for 4.Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 187/7 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 56, Tashinga Musekiwa 54*; Sufyan Mehmood 3-22, Nadeem Khan 2-26) lost to Oman 188/6 in 19.2 overs (Jatinder Singh 55, Hammad Mirza 34; Blessing Muzarabani 2-41, Ryan Burl 1-20) by four wickets. —ESPNCrinfo/Cricbuzz
derick.khumalo
Mathew Masinge