ज़िम्बाब्वे vs ओमान, मैच 8 Commentary, Live Updates

Manic Monday continues - We are done with the second game of the day and so far, we have seen two of the more experienced sides sweep away their opponents, albeit in contrasting fashion. Scotland did it by putting on a mammoth total on the board and then getting the chasing side under pressure. Whereas Zimbabwe laid the foundation with the ball and then chased the low total with ease. The action now moves to Ahmedabad, where South Africa are all set to get their campaign underway against Canada. That game will begin at 1.30 pm GMT but you can switch tabs and join our build-up right away. Cheers!

Sikandar Raza, the captain of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza says his bowlers have stepped up whenever he asked them to. On Brendan Taylor, Raza says it is something that happened before, where he went on to play, so he didn't want to risk it. Mentions that Taylor felt it was bad, but they are waiting for the scans to get a clearer picture. Mentions this performance had courage and character from his players and hopes they show the same in the next matches as well.

Jatinder Singh, the captain of Oman - Jatinder Singh says that they simply didn't put enough runs on the board and it was too much to ask from the bowlers. Reckons that they need to have 160-170 runs on any pitch to have a chance of defending it. Shares that they had played a warm-up game, so they were ready for it, but the bounce was pretty different from the game they had played earlier here. Mentions that they can still take a few positives, as the bowlers bowled well and the fielding was decent as well. Informs that as soon as the game got over, they got into a huddle and had a chat about how they can turn things around heading forward.

Let's now hear from the two captains...

Player of the Match - Blessing Muzarabani is the Player of the Match for his fine spell of 4-1-16-3. He says it was nice to get the first win out of the way, and now it's about focusing on the next game. Shares that he is coming from a back injury and was just trying to hit his lengths. Adds there was a bounce and the ball skidded a bit. Admits he won't overthink and will take game-by-game. Acknowledges the challenge they have ahead of them and adds that they will embrace it.

In search of a better effort - Oman have been outclassed today but they will feel that they didn't do justice to themselves with that batting effort. They failed to assess conditions early on and just kept losing wickets in a bunch. It looked like they wouldn't even get to the three-figure mark but a 42-run stand between Vinayak Shukla and Sufyan Mehmood and then some decent striking from Nadeem Khan took them over the 100-run mark. With the ball, they didn't have much to defend and gave away a few boundaries early on. Sufyan Mehmood followed his good work with the blade by picking up two wickets in the same over, giving Oman a glimmer of hope. However, chances were hard to create and all it needed was one decent stand from Zimbabwe to put the game to bed.

All-round effort from Zimbabwe - The win was set up early in the game thanks to that opening burst from the duo of Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava. Both pacers used their height to good effect and extracted extra bounce off the deck, which was deadly. Brad Evans too contributed heavily at the death as the trio of pacers picked up three wickets each. Additionally, some fine fielding also helped Zimbabwe restrict Oman to a meek score of 103 runs. In reply, Tadiwanashe Marumani got Zimbabwe off to a flying start but a double blow in the 4th over just pegged them back a touch. Brian Bennett stood tall at one end and along with the experienced Brendan Taylor, added 68 runs for the third wicket. With just 6 needed for the win, Taylor retired hurt and the skipper, Sikandar Raza, came in and hit the winning runs.

Back on the world stage with a bang - After agonizingly missing out on Qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup and then the 2024 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe are back, and they have started their campaign with a huge win. Oman were never really in it, with just 103 runs on the board, and have been dealt a hefty defeat here.

FOUR! That is it! Karan Sonavale bowls a length delivery, outside off, too slow, and the batter gets enough time to pick his shot. Sikandar Raza powers it through cover and well wide of long off for a boundary. Zimbabwe win by 8 wickets with more than 6 overs to spare.

Flatter delivery, just outside off, Bennett punches it down to long off for a run.

Too short and too wide. Sikandar Raza slaps it powerfully to cover. Jatinder Singh gets a hand on it and keeps it down to one.

Slides it full and onto the pads. Bennett whips it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs. 100 up for Zimbabwe and they are just a hit away.

Ouch! Brendan Taylor is looking in some discomfort and is unable to continue. A blow to the batting team as Brendan Taylor is retired hurt.

Oh, dear! Not a good sign, as Brendan Taylor walks back to the hut, and he is limping. Hopefully, Taylor hasn't pulled a hamstring here. For now, Sikandar Raza comes in to replace him.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Bennett moves to 45 and Zimbabwe need 6 more runs to win. Dragged length, touch short and Bennett is quick to pick up, he rocks back and pummels it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Floats it fuller and on middle, eased down to long on for a single.

Good awareness from the batters! Good-length delivery, outside off, Brendan Taylor punches it through point. The fielder in the deep fumbles and the batters are quick to sneak in another run.

A good length delivery in front of middle. Bennett nudges it with soft hands to mid-wicket and settles with a run.

Drifting into the batter, fuller and on middle, Taylor bunts it to square leg.

Just a single to end but Zimbabwe have the finish line in sight now. Full on middle and leg, worked away in front of square leg for a single.

Good length on off, holds in the pitch a bit. Bennett hangs back and hits it through the cover region for one more.

Fullish length on middle, angling in, flicked around the corner on the leg side for a single.

Slower delivery, a floater, full and wide outside off. Taylor reaches out and jams it into the turf as the ball bounces up towards Jatinder Singh at covers.

Back of a length, cutting back in from outside off. Taylor looks to punch it with a straight bat but gets an inside edge.

Fuller than a good length and outside off, Bennett reaches for it and pushes it down to long off for a single.

Sufyan Mehmood (2-0-8-2) is back on.

FOUR! In complete control. Flat and full around off, Brendan Taylor brings out the reverse sweep and gets the hands on top of the bounce, nailing it down through backward point for a boundary. 15 off the over.

A couple of runs for Taylor and the 50-run stand is up between these two. Tossed up, full and around off, stroked away to the right of sweeper cover for a brace.

Flatter delivery on middle, punched away off the back foot to long on for a single.

FOUR! Well timed and the outfield is lightning quick. Fractionally short and outside off, Bennett waits back well and cuts it down to the left of deep point for another boundary.

FOUR! Nicely done. Fuller and straighter, this time Brian Bennett manages to get inside the line and laps it through backward square leg for a boundary.

A bit awkward for Bennett. Good length, angled in from outside off. Brian Bennett goes deep and shuffles to the off side to play the lap but gets into a tangle and miscues it to short third.

Zimbabwe are 70/2 after 10 overs. With just 34 runs needed more, it will be interesting to see if Zimbabwe try and attack a bit more.

Tossed up, on a length and on middle, Bennett strokes it down to long on and retains the strike.

Sticks to the stumps, bowls on the fuller side. Taylor clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flighted, slower in the air and on middle, no turn, this is patted back to the bowler.

Fires it full and in line of the stumps, Bennett gets inside the line and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

In-angler, too full and on middle, floated a bit. Brendan Taylor sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Flights it very full and around off, Bennett hits it to long off for a single.

FOUR! Oman can't even afford to give away a boundary at this stage. 9 runs off the over. Too full and slightly drifting on leg, Brendan Taylor picks the line and closes the bat face just enough, guides it past short fine leg for a boundary.

Touch fuller, attacking the stumps. Bennett tucks it down to long on and rotates the strike.

Pace-off, fuller delivery, around off, BT bends forward and drives it to long off for one more.

Jiten pitches it on the 8-meter length, on top of off, punched down to long off for a single.

Short of a good length and on leg, Taylor picks it off the pads and turns it to square leg for a run.

Bowls a good-length delivery, outside off, Bennett plants his front foot across and knocks it to sweeper cover for a single.

Drops a half tracker, around off, Bennett clears his front leg and pulls, off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Wasim Ali gets it to swing in a bit. Around off, Taylor waits and nudges it to square leg for a single.

Fractionally short, around off, Bennett rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slower in the air, flighted a bit and gets it to drift into the batter. Bennett gets inside the line and tickles it to short fine leg.

Tosses it up, outside off and fuller length. Taylor works it down to long off and runs across.

An armball with a straighter trajectory, fuller delivery on middle, Bennett hits it down to long off for a single.

A bowling change for Oman as Wasim Ali comes in to replace Sufyan Mehmood.

Darted on the pads, turned to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Uppish but in the gap! Too full and too wide, turning slightly away. Bennett leans across to drive and gets a thick outside edge past short third for a boundary. 50 up for Zimbabwe.

Good running! Khan slows up the pace a bit, bowls it fuller and on off, Bennett tucks it wide of mid-wicket and collects a brace.

On a good length, on middle, angling in. Bennett goes back and clears his front leg to punch it to cover.

This one comes with the arm, full and on middle, drilled to long on for a single.

Nadeem Khan drops it full and outside off, Taylor presses across and punches it to point.

DRINKS BREAK. A well-contested first 6 overs of the chase but Oman are running out of runs to defend. After a brisk start, Zimbabwe have lost a couple of wickets and it hasn't been easy going in the last 3 overs for them. However, with just 61 more needed off 84 balls and 8 wickets in hand, all Zimbabwe need is one decent stand. Oman need wickets and will have to take a few risks, as they know, without wickets, eventually, they will run out of runs to defend. The artificial lights are now starting to take full effect here at SSC.

FOUR! Good way to end the Powerplay! Too short and too wide with a pack off field. Bennett crunches it through cover-point, in the gap for a boundary. Zimbabwe are 43/2 at the end of the sixth over.

Overpitched delivery, sliding on middle, Taylor whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Pushed through, fuller and around off, Bennett strokes it to mid off and scampers across for a quick single.

Back of a length, outside off, hangs a bit low, Brian Bennett looks to cut it but misses.

Yet another direct-hit but Taylor was in once again. Touch fuller, around off, Taylor punches it to mid off and calls for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end and scores but the replay shows Taylor was in.

On a length and on middle, Brendan Taylor turns it to square leg and looks for a single but is sent back by Brian Bennett. A direct-hit at the batter's end but Taylor was in.

Top over from Nadeem Khan. Shorter one, hammered into the deck and outside off. Brian Bennett shuffles across to pull but gets into a tangle and misses. A couple of really good overs for Oman.

Flatter one on the pads, tucked around the corner on the leg side for a single.

Excellent work from Vinayak Shukla again behind the stumps. Flighted ball, angled in with the arm. Taylor looks to play the conventional sweep now but the ball catches the arm and lobs up towards the leg slip region. The keeper dives and pouches the ball and up goes the appeal for a caught behind. It is turned down and the keeper is quick to walk back to his mark.

Oh, that could have easily gone straight to hand. Floated up on middle, Brendan Taylor goes for the reverse sweep but miscues it badly and the ball lands just wide of the fielder at first slip.

A good comeback delivery from Nadeem Khan. Nagging length on off, the armball darts back in. Taylor just about manages to block it off.

FOUR! In the gap! Short of a good length and outside off, Brendan Taylor waits back well and taps it down just behind point. The ball races away to the fence.

Change from both ends. Nadeem Khan to bowl now.

Nearly a double-wicket maiden from Sufyan Mehmood. Back of a length and around off, Brendan Taylor plays it off the inner half of the blade and past the bowler down to long on for a single.

Good length outside off, Brendan Taylor taps it towards cover.

Fullish length on the pads, Taylor clips it away to square leg.

Brendan Taylor is the next batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! That is a fantastic catch from the keeper, and he was certain it was out. Sufyan Mehmood pitches the ball further up on off and creates an angle from wide of the crease. The ball angles in, and Dion Myers lunges ahead to play it through the covers. The ball goes past the inside edge and just past the leg stump as Vinayak Shukla pouches it brilliantly and even dislodges the bails to bring the double opportunity into play. The appeal for a catch is turned down, but the review is taken. Third umpire confirms that there is an inside edge, and Myers is in and out quickly. Zimbabwe are 29/2 after 3.3 overs.

Oman have taken a review for caught behind. The keeper is confident that Myers nicked it. Oh, the UltraEdge shows a spike. OUT IT IS!

Good length attacking the pads Myers nudges it across to mid-wicket.

Out goes Tadiwanashe Marumani, in comes Dion Myers.

OUT! CAUGHT! Top catch from Wasim Ali and Oman have their first breakthrough. Sufyan Mehmood comes around the wicket and has the keeper upto the stumps. This is bowled a bit short and wide, and Tadiwanashe Marumani throws the hands at it. Marumani doesn't control the shot and hits it uppishly to the right of backward point. Wasim leaps up and across to his right and clings onto the ball. Marumani departs for a breezy 21 off 11 balls.

Bowling change. Sufyan Mehmood is into the attack.

Length ball on leg, no room on offer. Bennett stays back and defends it to mid on.

FOUR! Oh, that's unlucky for the bowler. Full and outside off, looking for the inswinger. Bennett goes for the expansive cover drive but ends up dragging it off the inside edge. The ball goes past the leg stump and rolls away into the fine leg fence.

FOUR! Brian Bennett is finally off the mark and in fine fashion as well. Short of a length, angled across off and middle. Bennett picks the length early, leans back and swivel-pulls it wide of square leg for a boundary.

Good length again, around the top of off, Bennett lets the ball come on before easing it out to covers. Three dots to begin the third over.

Good length on the pads, Bennett presses back and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Play and a miss! Short of a length and shaping away from outside off, Brian Bennett looks to take on the pull but is beaten by the extra bounce.

FOUR! Tadiwanashe Marumani is breathing fire, 16 runs off the over. Full and on leg stump, Marumani sits down and nearly falls over as he wallops the ball up and over backward square leg. The ball just lands inside the ropes and goes for another four.

FOUR! Make that a hat-trick of boundaries and Marumani is starting to go berserk. Marginally short on middle and leg, Marumani leans back and pulls it flat and hard through mid-wicket for another boundary.

FOUR MORE! Slightly fuller, darted across off, Tadiwanashe Marumani does well to go deep in his crease and smacks it firmly between point and covers for another boundary.

FOUR! Beautifully timed. Flatter one at the stumps, it's nudged away wide of mid-wicket by Marumani and the ball speeds away to the fence.

Half an appeal for a caught behind but the keeper knows there's no bat on it. Good length, angled across off, Marumani ends up poking at it and gets beaten well past the outside edge. The bowler and the fielder at first slip really thought there was an edge, but the keeper has a chuckle.

Starts from around the wicket and fires it across the left-hander. Marumani rocks back to pull but the ball darts away past the willow.

Shakeel Ahmed to share the attack.

On a good length and around the top of off, Marumani presses back and tucks it through square leg. The initial call was for two, but they settle with the single. Zimbabwe are 6/0 after the first over.

Play and a miss! Back of a length, shaping away from outside off. Marumani makes room leg side and looks to go over point but misses.

FOUR! Marumani is off the mark in streaky fashion. Short of a length, angled into the batter, extra bounce still on offer. Marumani goes hard at the pull but miscues it away over first slip and the ball runs away to the fence.

Good-length delivery, shaping away from outside off, Tadiwanashe Marumani backs away and looks to cut but misses.

Zimbabwe are underway with a leg bye. Back of a length and around leg, Bennett fails to tuck it away. The ball goes off the thigh pad and behind square leg for a single.

Left alone by Bennett. Pitched up on a fuller length and outside off, looking for some inswing, but this one goes straight on. Brian Bennett lets it through to the keeper.